Flag of Belgium
countryThe flag of Belgium was adopted on January 23, 1831. Vertical tricolour. It uses 3 colours: black, yellow and red. The official proportions are 13:15.
Hoist
Ratio 13:15
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Belgium |
|---|---|
| Country | Belgium |
| Official Country Name | Kingdom of Belgium |
| Capital | Brussels |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | BE / BEL |
| Internet Domain | .be |
| Calling Code | +32 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Dutch, French, German |
| Demonym | Belgian |
| Area | 30,528 km² |
| Population | 12 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Belgium |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | January 23, 1831 |
| First Used | 1831 |
| Current Version Adopted | January 23, 1831 |
| Flag Proportion | 13:15 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Black, Yellow, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Belgium |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Yellow | #FAE042 | 250, 224, 66 | 0, 10, 74, 2 | |
| Red | #ED2939 | 237, 41, 57 | 0, 83, 76, 7 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the shield of the Duchy of Brabant |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the lion of Brabant |
| Red colour | Represents the lion’s claws and tongue |
| Colours of Brabant | Taken from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant — a golden lion with red claws on a black field |
| Unusual proportions | At 13:15, one of the few national flags that is nearly square |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1831 | The design was first used |
| 1831-01-23 | 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 | 13:15 |
|---|---|
| Width | 13 units (hoist) |
| Length | 15 units (fly) |
Belgium 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 Belgium
| 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 | 195 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | January 23, 1831 |
| Oldest Version | 1831 |
| Most Common Color | Black |
| Similar Flags | Andorra, Cameroon, Chad |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Belgium
- The vertical arrangement was adopted deliberately in 1831 in imitation of the French tricolour, replacing an earlier horizontal version used during the revolution the year before.
- The official 13:15 ratio is nearly square and is rarely manufactured; most Belgian flags sold and flown are 2:3.
- The colours come from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant — a gold lion with red claws and tongue on a black field.
- The flag of Belgium was officially adopted on January 23, 1831.
- The flag in its present form is 195 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour.
- The official proportions are 13:15. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 3 colours: black, yellow and red.
- The black on the flag stands for the shield of the Duchy of Brabant.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the lion of Brabant.
- The red on the flag stands for the lion’s claws and tongue.
- Colours of Brabant: Taken from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant — a golden lion with red claws on a black field.
- Unusual proportions: At 13:15, one of the few national flags that is nearly square.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Andorra, Cameroon and Chad.
- Belgium became independent on 4 October 1830 from the Netherlands.
- Independence was declared in 1830 and recognised by the Treaty of London in 1839.
- Football and road cycling are the two most popular sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Belgium
When was the flag of Belgium adopted?
The flag of Belgium was officially adopted on January 23, 1831.
What do the colours of the flag of Belgium mean?
Black for the shield of the Duchy of Brabant, yellow for the lion of Brabant and red for the lion’s claws and tongue.
When did Belgium gain independence?
Belgium became independent on 4 October 1830 from the Netherlands. Independence was declared in 1830 and recognised by the Treaty of London in 1839.
What is the national sport of Belgium?
Football and road cycling are the two most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Belgium represent?
Colours of Brabant — Taken from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant — a golden lion with red claws on a black field. Unusual proportions — At 13:15, one of the few national flags that is nearly square.
What are the proportions of the flag of Belgium?
The official ratio is 13:15, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Belgium?
The national anthem is "La Brabançonne".
When is the national day of Belgium?
It falls on 21 July, Belgian National Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Belgium?
The national animal is the lion, the Leo Belgicus.
What is the capital of Belgium?
The capital is Brussels. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Dutch, French, German.