50 Amazing Graduation Cap Ideas That Will Blow You Away

Who knew spring semester seniors could be so innovative?

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Graduation cap ideas - cap that reads Live Your Dreams
Oregon State University Commencement | Flickr

From the moment they receive that fateful acceptance letter to college to the day they’re gearing up for senior pictures, every freshman dreams of their graduation day.

One way to commemorate a journey of such massive academic progress, extracurricular activity, and overall exhaustion (aside from coming up with the perfect graduation outfit) is to put some time into a cool graduation cap decoration, transforming it from a basic ceremonial piece to a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

RELATED POST: Graduation Announcements: The 26 Most Stylish Cards to Send This Year

Whether custom-made for purchase or built from scratch by the wearer herself, the following graduation cap ideas are striking and ingenious. See if you can glean some major #grad inspiration from our favorite examples below!

Table of Contents

Funny Graduation Caps

1. This cap that’s, quite frankly, hilarious

#ASUGradCap @tacobell will you sponsor my education?

A post shared by Janisthedread (@janisthedread) on

Self-confidence + Taco Bell = one superb grad cap.

2. This Spongebob Squarepants joke

A post shared by Lael Aaryn (@laeliewhalie) on

According to the maker of this grad cap, you get bonus points if you read it with the narrator’s French accent.

3. This one where Dory tells it like it is

Finding Dory

It’s funny because it’s (kind of) true.

4. This cap combines pop culture with cold, hard facts

Game of Loans graduation cap

Let’s face it; student loans are way scarier than an army of White Walkers.

5. This witty B.S. grad cap

I was tiptoeing the line between enlightened and just plain punny.

6. This Mean Girls-inspired masterpiece

Regina George wore this grad cap, so I wore this grad cap.

7. The grad cap for when you’re cute but psycho

Its done Louise graduation cap from Bob's Burgers

Who doesn’t love Louise from Bob’s Burgers? This one will crack everyone up.

Cute Graduation Caps

8. This simple and sweet topper

Thank you next grad cap

Minimalist design, witty graduation pun, Ariana Grande reference…I’m so f’ing grateful for this cap.

9. This cap tells it like it is

Paws down, I think @toshi_the_shiba’s cap is the best Shiba Inu cap I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen my share of good boy accessories.

11. This glittery Kawaii craft

See if you can spot Totoro and No-Face in this eclectic mix!

12. This is a gentle reminder that beauty and brains can go together

This is what an engineer looks like grad cap with flowers

Who says you can’t be girly just because you majored in something “serious”? Be unapologetically you in this cap. (Bonus: It’s customizable!)

13. This witty, customizable masterpiece

Graduation cap that says

The wording on this grad cap is 10/10 amazing, but even better is that it’s customizable. The artist offers the skin tone in light, medium, and dark, so if you have dark hair, this is the cap for you.

{RELATED POST: 25 Perfect Hairstyles for Graduation}

DIY Caps

16. This Friends cap

A post shared by Shannon (@slamyourheartout) on

So no one told you life was going to be this way…

18. This DIY flower crown grad cap

This is the perfect graduation cap idea for any boho girl. It’s giving Coachella meets Elle Woods, and we aren’t mad about it.

19. This “hot” graduation cap idea

Black graduation cap that reads

So hot in here!

Unique Designs

20. This rhyming, truth-telling Dr. Seuss cap

? Oh the places you’ll go… ? A #DrSeuss themed #GradCap for @iamashleyye

A post shared by Anne Castro (@annecastro.art) on

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” 

21. This travel-oriented grad cap

When travel is your ultimate passion, you just want the world to know it.

22. This Harry Potter masterpiece

No, we’re not crying; there’s just something in our eyes!

23. This unique take on graduation

A post shared by India Potter (@1ndia1nk) on

The only thing it’s missing is the soundtrack: Pomp and Circumstance.

24. The perfect cap for any Beatles fan

And a little reminder that when one door closes, another one opens.

25. This pretty and punny piece of artwork

Graduation cap with cactuses and the  words

You’ll be looking sharp in this cactus-themed grad cap.

For Guys

27. This cap that’s perfect for a Drake fan

Drake inspired grad cap that reads

Any fan of Drizzy needs this grad cap topper, available to buy on Etsy. (No DIY required.)

28. This “Fresh” grad cap idea

If they don’t love The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, I don’t want to know them.

29. The ultimate cap idea for gamers

Because really, what’s life except for a series of achievements?

30. This movie-themed topper

Here’s to you, graduate.

Disney Inspired

32. This Belle-inspired work of art

Perfect for theater majors, English grads, or just regular Disney enthusiasts, this graduation cap idea inspires wanderlust and VHS nostalgia.

33. This Little Mermaid-inspired cap

A post shared by Disney Style (@disneystyle) on

Us too, girl. Us too.

34. This custom Mulan top

We’re sure this grad looked beautiful after four years of adversity — oops, we mean college!

35. This Leslie Knope meets Mickey masterpiece

A post shared by Cassidy (@cdangles) on

We can’t get enough of these cute Disney-inspired caps!

Girly Ideas

36. This cap screams #BlackGirlMagic

Can we admire some of that extraordinary #BlackGirlMagic just by appreciating this graduation cap decoration? 

Yes, yes, we can.

37. This ode to Queen Bey

Always Stay Gracious best revenge is your paper beyonce-inspired grad cap

Speaking of Black Girl Magic, it doesn’t get much more magical than Beyonce herself. Pay tribute to this gorgeous cap with her words.

38. This beautiful collection of makeup products

Or should we say beauty-full?

39. This Legally Blonde number

We did it!

40. This Instagram addict

A post shared by Annie Tran (@annie.vtrann) on

So true.

41. This pearly artwork

A post shared by Abby (@mooreabbyg) on

We’re not sure we’d have the patience to glue 1,500 little blue balls onto one cap, but kudos to this graduate for her amazing crafting skills!

42. This thankful cap

Just a reminder to you to thank your mom, dad, and anyone else who’s helped you become the person you are today.

Floral Ideas

43. The cap that’s got it all

When the first floral cap is this good, you know it’s only going to get better from here on down.

45. This wanderlust sign 

Featuring a quote by American novelist Jack Kerouac, Adeline’s design truly stands out with its impeccable calligraphy.

48. This absolutely precious cap

Sometimes, you can say so much by writing so little.

49. This work of heart

Sunflowers and daisies, check. Motivational quote, check. One of the cutest graduation caps we’ve stumbled upon? Check.

50. This Shakespeare illustration

The Bard would approve of this cute graduation cap idea.

Now that you’ve been inspired by these truly spectacular graduation cap ideas, why not try making your own?

Epilogue: The Graduation Cap Ideas Challenge

It’s not a true College Fashion grad cap roundup without community input!

If you have a graduation cap you believe deserves an honorable mention, comment below with a picture of it so that we can admire it, too! Whether it’s your own heart’s labor or from the desk of a budding artist friend, we’re sure to think it’s the bee’s knees.

Seniors, are you excited to walk at graduation? Have you already made progress on your cap? Are you open to sharing a pic or two? 

Comment below with an image of your DIY graduation cap. We want to see how creative our very own CF readers can be!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2019; it was completely updated and revamped in 2023 with new photos and information.

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