Flag of Cameroon
countryThe flag of Cameroon was adopted on May 20, 1975. Vertical tricolour with centred star. It uses 3 colours: green, red and yellow. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Country | Cameroon |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Cameroon |
| Capital | Yaoundé |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Middle Africa |
| ISO Country Code | CM / CMR |
| Internet Domain | .cm |
| Calling Code | +237 |
| Currency | Central African CFA franc (XAF) |
| National Language(s) | English, French |
| Demonym | Cameroonian |
| Area | 475,442 km² |
| Population | 29 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 20, 1975 |
| First Used | 1957 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 20, 1975 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, Red, Yellow |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour with centred star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Cameroon |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #007A5E | 0, 122, 94 | 100, 0, 23, 52 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the forests of the south |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents unity and sovereignty |
| Yellow colour | Represents the sun and the savannahs of the north |
| Gold star | The star of unity binding the north and south |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957 | The design was first used |
| 1975-05-20 | 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) |
Cameroon 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 Cameroon
| 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 | 51 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 20, 1975 |
| Oldest Version | 1957 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Andorra, Belgium, Chad |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour with centred star |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Cameroon
- The vertical arrangement of the Pan-African colours, rather than the horizontal one used by most of the continent, follows the French tricolour that preceded it.
- The single gold star in the centre band is known as the star of unity and replaced two stars used between 1961 and 1975, when the country was a federation.
- The flag of Cameroon was officially adopted on May 20, 1975.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1957, 18 years before it was formally made the flag of Cameroon.
- The flag in its present form is 51 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour with centred star.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, red and yellow.
- The green on the flag stands for the forests of the south.
- The red on the flag stands for unity and sovereignty.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the sun and the savannahs of the north.
- Gold star: The star of unity binding the north and south.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Andorra, Belgium and Chad.
- Cameroon became independent on 1 January 1960 from France.
- French Cameroun became independent in January 1960 and the British Southern Cameroons joined it in October 1961.
- Football is the national sport.
- The national animal is the lion.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Cameroon
When was the flag of Cameroon adopted?
The flag of Cameroon was officially adopted on May 20, 1975, though the design had already been in use since 1957.
What do the colours of the flag of Cameroon mean?
Green for the forests of the south, red for unity and sovereignty and yellow for the sun and the savannahs of the north.
When did Cameroon gain independence?
Cameroon became independent on 1 January 1960 from France. French Cameroun became independent in January 1960 and the British Southern Cameroons joined it in October 1961.
What is the national sport of Cameroon?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Cameroon represent?
Gold star — The star of unity binding the north and south.
What are the proportions of the flag of Cameroon?
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 Cameroon?
The national anthem is "Ô Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancêtres".
When is the national day of Cameroon?
It falls on 20 May, National Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Cameroon?
The national animal is the lion.
What is the capital of Cameroon?
The capital is Yaoundé. The currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF) and the language spoken is English, French.