Flag of Germany
countryThe flag of Germany was adopted on May 23, 1949. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: black, red and gold. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Germany |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Official Country Name | Federal Republic of Germany |
| Capital | Berlin |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | DE / DEU |
| Internet Domain | .de |
| Calling Code | +49 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | German |
| Demonym | German |
| Area | 357,114 km² |
| Population | 84 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Germany |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 23, 1949 |
| First Used | 1848 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 23, 1949 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Black, Red, Gold |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Germany |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Red | #DD0000 | 221, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 13 | |
| Gold | #FFCE00 | 255, 206, 0 | 0, 19, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the uniforms of the Lützow Free Corps |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents their red facings |
| Gold colour | Represents their brass buttons |
| Origin | The colours of the volunteer corps who fought Napoleon, later the colours of German unity and democracy |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1848 | The design was first used |
| 1949-05-23 | 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 | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Germany 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 Germany
| 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 | 77 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 23, 1949 |
| Oldest Version | 1848 |
| Flag Nickname | Schwarz-Rot-Gold |
| Most Common Color | Black |
| Similar Flags | Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Germany
- The black, red and gold date to the 1848 revolutions and were revived in 1919 and again in 1949, each time as a deliberate statement of liberal and democratic continuity.
- The colours are usually traced to the uniforms of the Lützow Free Corps of 1813 — black coats with red facings and brass buttons.
- East Germany used the same tricolour with a state emblem added in 1959; the plain version was West German and became the flag of the reunified country.
- The flag of Germany was officially adopted on May 23, 1949.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1848, 101 years before it was formally made the flag of Germany.
- The flag in its present form is 77 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The flag is known as Schwarz-Rot-Gold, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Germany".
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: black, red and gold.
- The black on the flag stands for the uniforms of the Lützow Free Corps.
- The red on the flag stands for their red facings.
- The gold on the flag stands for their brass buttons.
- Origin: The colours of the volunteer corps who fought Napoleon, later the colours of German unity and democracy.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador.
- Germany became independent on 3 October 1990 from no colonial power — the date marks German reunification.
- The German Empire was unified on 18 January 1871; the Federal Republic and the German Democratic Republic reunited on 3 October 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Germany
When was the flag of Germany adopted?
The flag of Germany was officially adopted on May 23, 1949, though the design had already been in use since 1848.
What do the colours of the flag of Germany mean?
Black for the uniforms of the Lützow Free Corps, red for their red facings and gold for their brass buttons.
When did Germany gain independence?
Germany became independent on 3 October 1990 from no colonial power — the date marks German reunification. The German Empire was unified on 18 January 1871; the Federal Republic and the German Democratic Republic reunited on 3 October 1990.
What is the national sport of Germany?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Germany represent?
Origin — The colours of the volunteer corps who fought Napoleon, later the colours of German unity and democracy.
What are the proportions of the flag of Germany?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Germany?
The national anthem is "Deutschlandlied, of which only the third verse is sung".
When is the national day of Germany?
It falls on 3 October, Day of German Unity, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Germany?
The national animal is the federal eagle, the Bundesadler.
What is the capital of Germany?
The capital is Berlin. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is German.