The correct pattern of cap badge was formalized by General Order 112 of 1925.  The official description is:

Upon a spray of thistle, a St. Andrew's Cross, on the centre of the Cross a beaver on a log encircled by a wreath of maple leaves.  Below the beaver, on the wreath, a scroll emblazoned with thistles, placed above a scroll inscribed with the unit designation CALGARY HIGHLANDERS.  Above the wreath upon the arms of the Cross, a scroll emblazoned with thistles and, on the centre between the upper arms of the Cross, the Crown.

The original design of the badge incorporated the Tudor Crown, referred to by collectors of miltaria today as the "King's Crown."  The Tudor Crown was replaced in official heraldry, including cap badges and other military insignia, by the St. Edward's pattern crown (referred to also as the "Queen's Crown") in 1953 upon the ascension to the throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A full colour representation of the Regimental Badge as formalized by DND is shown at right.

On uniform headdress, the cap badge is worn in metal, with either a slider backing or cotter pin and lug type backing.  The colour of the metal depends on the rank and status of the wearer.  Three main types of badges are issued and worn by the Regiment and affiliated Cadet Corps, as follows:

	Nickle plated or chromed cap badges (silver in colour) are worn by all officers, senior NCO's (sergeants and warrant officers), pipers, and drummers.
	Bronzed cap badges are worn by all junior NCM's (privates, corporals and master corporals) who have completed Infantry training, as well as senior members of the affiliate cadet corps (master corporal and above).  The bronze cap badges have white metal beaver and scroll overlays.  The bronzed cap badge is also worn by Officer Cadets.
	Gold coloured cap badges are worn by untrained privates in the Militia, as well as junior members of the affiliate cadet corps (corporals and below).  The gold badges are anodized, with white metal beaver and scroll overlays.
Non-Infantry officers and non-Infantry tradesmen  in the regiment by regulation will wear the badge of their trade or branch.  These badges are permitted to be worn on all forms of Calgary Highlanders regimental headdress, including the glengarry, balmoral and tam o'shanter, and with the correct backing cloth as described below.
	Medical personnel will wear the badge of the Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS), in either metal or cloth.
	Storesmen, Resource Management Support Clerks, and other officers and tradesmen whose Military Occupation Code (MOC) lies within the Logistics Branch will wear the badge of that branch, in either metal or cloth. Officers (only) may wear the Officers' version of this badge, which consists of a gold embroidered backing with a metal overlay.

The cap badges is worn on the following types of headdress within the Regiment, with the appropriate backing indicated:

The cap badge was originally designed based on that worn by the 10th Battalion, CEF. The 10th wore the badge illustrated below, in brass for Other Ranks and bronze with white metal/silver overlay for officers. The Tudor Pattern (King's) Crown can be seen on the 10th Battalion badge drawings below.