Flag of Austria
countryThe flag of Austria was adopted on May 1, 1945. Horizontal triband. It uses 2 colours: red and white. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Austria |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Austria |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Central Europe |
| ISO Country Code | AT / AUT |
| Internet Domain | .at |
| Calling Code | +43 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Austro-Bavarian German |
| Demonym | Austrian |
| Area | 83,871 km² |
| Population | 9.2 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Austria |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 1, 1945 |
| First Used | 1230 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 1, 1945 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Red, White |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Austria |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #ED2939 | 237, 41, 57 | 0, 83, 76, 7 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed in battle |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the River Danube, and the belt of Duke Leopold V |
| Origin legend | Duke Leopold V’s tunic was soaked red with blood after a battle, leaving only a white band where his belt had been — one of the oldest national flag designs in the world |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1230 | The design was first used |
| 1945-05-01 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Austria Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Austria
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 81 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 1, 1945 |
| Oldest Version | 1230 |
| Flag Nickname | Rot-Weiß-Rot |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bulgaria |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Austria
- The red-white-red arrangement is recorded on a ducal seal of 1230, making it one of the oldest national colour schemes in continuous use in Europe.
- The civil flag is plain. The state flag adds a black eagle holding a hammer and sickle with a broken chain — the chain was added in 1945 to mark the end of Nazi rule.
- Austria and Latvia both use red-white-red horizontal bands; Latvia's red is a much darker carmine and its centre band is narrower.
- The flag of Austria was officially adopted on May 1, 1945.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1230, 715 years before it was formally made the flag of Austria.
- The flag in its present form is 81 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband.
- The flag is known as Rot-Weiß-Rot, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Austria".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: red and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed in battle.
- The white on the flag stands for the River Danube, and the belt of Duke Leopold V.
- Origin legend: Duke Leopold V’s tunic was soaked red with blood after a battle, leaving only a white band where his belt had been — one of the oldest national flag designs in the world.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and Bulgaria.
- Austria became independent on 15 May 1955 from Allied occupation after the Second World War.
- Austria became a republic in 1918 and regained full sovereignty with the State Treaty of 1955.
- Alpine skiing is the national sport; football is the most played.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Austria
When was the flag of Austria adopted?
The flag of Austria was officially adopted on May 1, 1945, though the design had already been in use since 1230.
What do the colours of the flag of Austria mean?
Red for the blood shed in battle and white for the River Danube, and the belt of Duke Leopold V.
When did Austria gain independence?
Austria became independent on 15 May 1955 from Allied occupation after the Second World War. Austria became a republic in 1918 and regained full sovereignty with the State Treaty of 1955.
What is the national sport of Austria?
Alpine skiing is the national sport; football is the most played.
What do the symbols on the flag of Austria represent?
Origin legend — Duke Leopold V’s tunic was soaked red with blood after a battle, leaving only a white band where his belt had been — one of the oldest national flag designs in the world.
What are the proportions of the flag of Austria?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Austria?
The national anthem is "Land der Berge, Land am Strome".
When is the national day of Austria?
It falls on 26 October, National Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Austria?
The national animal is the golden eagle, which appears on the coat of arms.
What is the capital of Austria?
The capital is Vienna. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Austro-Bavarian German.