{"id":10684,"date":"2026-02-05T19:41:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/?p=10684"},"modified":"2026-03-03T01:37:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:37:32","slug":"which-way-round-should-i-wear-my-surgical-face-mask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/which-way-round-should-i-wear-my-surgical-face-mask\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Wear a Surgical Mask? Blue or White on the Outside?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Surgical masks are designed to be worn in one direction only. However, it can be difficult to know which way a medical face mask should go. Should the blue side be outward or inward? And what about those all-white surgical masks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover how to wear a surgical mask the correct way, and why it&#8217;s important to make sure you&#8217;re wearing it the correct way round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-e0a2588f gb-headline-text\">WATCH: Which Way Round Should I Wear a Surgical Mask?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"How To Wear Your Surgical Mask Correctly - Effects on Performance\" style=\"width:640px;max-width:100%;margin:5px auto;\"><div class=\"lyMe hidef\" id=\"WYL_QvFGBiL6tUc\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FQvFGBiL6tUc%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QvFGBiL6tUc\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT2M40S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2020-07-13T17:41:32Z\" \/><\/div><meta itemprop=\"accessibilityFeature\" content=\"captions\" \/><div id=\"lyte_QvFGBiL6tUc\" data-src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FQvFGBiL6tUc%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">How To Wear Your Surgical Mask Correctly - Effects on Performance<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/QvFGBiL6tUc\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FQvFGBiL6tUc%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"How To Wear Your Surgical Mask Correctly - Effects on Performance\" width=\"640\" height=\"340\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"How does the orientation you wear a surgical face masks affect its ability to capture viruses? Smart Air CEO Paddy Robertson explains why it&#039;s important to wear your blue\/white surgical face masks the right way to keep you safe. Which way round should I wear a face mask : \ud83d\udc49 https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/which-way-round-should-i-wear-my-surgical-face-mask\/ Does face mask direction affects its virus-capture ability: \ud83d\udc49 https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/does-surgical-mask-orientation-affect-its-ability-capture-viruses\/ Smart Air is a social enterprise dedicated to helping people protect themselves from the harms of air pollution through education and low-cost purifiers. \u2022 Subscribe: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/SmartAirFilters \u2022 LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/smart-air-filters\/ \u2022 Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartairfilters \u2022 Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/SmartAirFilters \u2022 Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/smartairfilters\/ \u2022 Volunteer: https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/volunteer-at-smart-air\/ \u2022 Shop: https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/shop\/ For business enquiries, email us directly at info@smartairfilters.com.\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:640px;margin:5px auto;\"><br\/><span class=\"lyte_disclaimer\">Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/smartairfilters?sub_confirmation=1\">Smart Air on YouTube<\/a> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/images\/smartair_youtube.ico\" alt=\"Smart Air Youtube\"\/><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Most Surgical Masks Are Made of Three Layers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Surgical masks are most commonly made up of three layers. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Outer fluid-repellent layer: <\/strong>Typically colored blue or green, this layer repels fluid, helping to reduce the chance that viruses and bacteria from the air attach to the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. High-efficiency filter middle layer:<\/strong> The middle layer is what does the hard work in capturing viruses and bacteria. Any particles that get past the outside layers are filtered here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Absorbent layer:<\/strong> The inner layer captures and absorbs moisture, reducing the chance of any mucus or bacteria leaving the mask when the wearer coughs or talks.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1156\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside.jpg\" alt=\"Surgical mask three layers blue outside white inside\" class=\"wp-image-12968\" style=\"width:auto;height:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside.jpg 1156w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside-600x561.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside-1024x957.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Surgical-mask-three-layers-blue-outside-white-inside-768x718.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this information in hand, it now should be easier to determine just which way round to wear a surgical mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to Wear Surgical Mask Properly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, check the instructions if included. Otherwise, you can follow these simple rules to know how to wear your surgical mask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Blue or white on the outside?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, the fluid-repellent layer of a surgical mask is the colored side. That means the colored side should face out. Think of it this way: You want to show off your colors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If your mask has the same color on both sides, move on to the next rule.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Soft side towards the face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some masks have the same color on both sides. Some are even all white, like this one.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1218\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22.png\" alt=\"Which way round to wear surgical face mask mask that is white on inside and white on outside\" class=\"wp-image-11109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22.png 1218w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22-1024x383.png 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22-300x112.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/\u622a\u5716-2020-06-10-\u4e0b\u53484.10.22-768x288.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1218px) 100vw, 1218px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>For these masks that are white on both sides, you can use the feel of the material to determine which way around to wear the mask. The side that is softer to touch is the moisture-absorbent layer and goes towards your face. The rougher layer is the moisture-repellent layer, and goes outward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/does-a-wet-mask-decrease-its-effectiveness\/\">Read More: Are Wet Masks Less Effective?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Don\u2019t Use Mask Ear Loops as an Indicator for Mask Direction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem like a smart idea to use the straps as an indication of which way to wear a surgical mask. We suggest not to! In four out of the five surgical masks we checked, one had the straps attached to the outside layer, and four had the straps attached to the inside layer.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Direction-of-strap-loop-on-surgical-mask-not-useful-for-indicating-right-way-to-wear-mask.jpg\" alt=\"Direction of strap loop on surgical mask not useful for indicating right way to wear mask\" class=\"wp-image-11201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Direction-of-strap-loop-on-surgical-mask-not-useful-for-indicating-right-way-to-wear-mask.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Direction-of-strap-loop-on-surgical-mask-not-useful-for-indicating-right-way-to-wear-mask-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Direction-of-strap-loop-on-surgical-mask-not-useful-for-indicating-right-way-to-wear-mask-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Direction-of-strap-loop-on-surgical-mask-not-useful-for-indicating-right-way-to-wear-mask-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/surgical-masks-surprisingly-effective-pm2-5\/\">Read More: How Effective Are Surgical Masks in Filtering Out Dangerous PM2.5?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Does Surgical Mask Orientation Affect Its Ability to Capture Viruses?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We ran tests to find out if wearing a surgical mask the wrong way around affects its ability to filter virus-sized particles. The short answer: it does, but not much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/does-surgical-mask-orientation-affect-its-ability-capture-viruses\/\">Read more: <span>Does the way round I wear my mask affect its filtration efficiency<\/span>?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to Significantly Improve Surgical Mask Performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>N95 masks are one of the best-performing masks on the market, but they come at a higher cost compared to surgical masks and have seen shortages in the past. So can you make your own DIY N95 mask? A <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0272834\">recent study <\/a>showed that simply using rubberbands to improve the fit of surgical masks can improve a surgical mask&#8217;s performance to the N95 standard. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23459\" style=\"width:747px;height:497px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/andres-siimon-EB6LSbp8x4w-unsplash-2048x1363.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>BONUS<\/strong>: Underrated Health Benefits of Masks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Empirical research shows strong evidence that wearing a mask can actually impact your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/6-amazing-benefits-of-masks\/\">Read More: <span>The 6 <\/span>Amazing Health Benefits of Masks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class='bottom-line'><div class='bottom-line-top'>Bottom Line<\/div><div class='bottom-line-title'>Bottom Line: Which Way Round Does a Surgical Mask Go?<\/div><div class='bottom-line-content'>For most masks, the blue or green colored side faces out, and the lighter \u2013 often white \u2013 side faces in. If your face mask doesn&#8217;t have colors, make sure the soft side faces in and the rough side faces out.<\/div><div class='bottom-line-last'>Smart Air<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"911\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Paddy-wearing-surgical-masks-right-and-wrong-way.png\" alt=\"Correct and incorrect way to wear a surgical face mask with blue and white side out and in\" class=\"wp-image-10830\" style=\"width:auto;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Paddy-wearing-surgical-masks-right-and-wrong-way.png 911w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Paddy-wearing-surgical-masks-right-and-wrong-way-600x323.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Paddy-wearing-surgical-masks-right-and-wrong-way-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Paddy-wearing-surgical-masks-right-and-wrong-way-768x414.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 911px) 100vw, 911px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to Wear a Mask?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following these simple steps will ensure your surgical or medical mask is fitted properly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place the elastic bands around your ears.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extend the surgical up above the nose and down to the chin. Make sure it fully covers the mouth, nose, and chin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bend the metallic strip at the top of the mask over the nose bridge. The surgical mask should sit snuggly on the face.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid touching the surgical mask after putting it on. If you do, wash your hands afterward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discard used masks in the garbage and wash your hands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standard practice is to replace surgical masks after each use. But if supplies are limited, replace masks that are dirty or damaged.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a handy guide from the Singaporean government that explains the steps for <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.sg\/article\/what-can-you-do-to-protect-yourself-from-covid-19\">wearing a surgical mask.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"527\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/howto-wear-a-surgical-mask.png\" alt=\"Directions for wearing a surgical face mask\" class=\"wp-image-10696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/howto-wear-a-surgical-mask.png 630w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/howto-wear-a-surgical-mask-600x502.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/howto-wear-a-surgical-mask-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><\/h2>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surgical masks are designed to be worn in one direction only. However, it can be difficult to know which way a medical face mask should go. Should the blue side be outward or inward? And what about those all-white surgical masks? In this article, we&#8217;ll cover how to wear a &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"How to Wear a Surgical Mask? Blue or White on the Outside?\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/which-way-round-should-i-wear-my-surgical-face-mask\/#more-10684\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Wear a Surgical Mask? Blue or White on the Outside?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8048,"featured_media":41117,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"9714,10699,10649,10248,22047,9693","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[469,187],"tags":[534,531,528,533,537,532,536,461,535],"class_list":["post-10684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coronavirus","category-masks","tag-blue","tag-color","tag-coronavirus","tag-direction","tag-donning","tag-inside-out","tag-proper-wearing","tag-surgical-mask","tag-white","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8048"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10684"}],"version-history":[{"count":84,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41177,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10684\/revisions\/41177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}