Flag of Finland
countryThe flag of Finland was adopted on May 29, 1918. White field with a blue Nordic cross. It uses 2 colours: white and blue. The official proportions are 11:18.
Hoist
Ratio 11:18
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Finland |
|---|---|
| Country | Finland |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Finland |
| Capital | Helsinki |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | FI / FIN |
| Internet Domain | .fi |
| Calling Code | +358 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Finnish, Swedish |
| Demonym | Finnish |
| Area | 338,424 km² |
| Population | 5.6 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Finland |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 29, 1918 |
| First Used | 1918 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 29, 1918 |
| Flag Proportion | 11:18 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue |
| Design Type | White field with a blue Nordic cross |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Finland |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #003580 | 0, 53, 128 | 100, 59, 0, 50 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the snow of the winter |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the thousands of lakes and the sky |
| Nordic cross | Christianity and the shared Nordic identity |
| Siniristilippu | The “Blue Cross Flag”, its colours taken from a 19th-century poem about the country’s lakes and snow |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1918 | The design was first used |
| 1918-05-29 | 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 | 11:18 |
|---|---|
| Width | 11 units (hoist) |
| Length | 18 units (fly) |
Finland 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 Finland
| 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 | 108 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 29, 1918 |
| Oldest Version | 1918 |
| Flag Nickname | Siniristilippu (the blue cross flag) |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Bouvet Island, Faroe Islands, Iceland |
| Unique Feature | White field with a blue Nordic cross |
Other nordic cross flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Finland
- The blue cross on white was chosen in 1918 from competing proposals, some of which favoured red and yellow taken from the Finnish coat of arms.
- The state flag adds the coat of arms in the centre of the cross; the plain version is the civil flag.
- Finland has a fixed list of official flag days set out in law, including the birthdays of national figures and Midsummer Day, which serves as Flag Day itself.
- The flag of Finland was officially adopted on May 29, 1918.
- The flag in its present form is 108 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a blue Nordic cross.
- The flag is known as Siniristilippu (the blue cross flag), a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Finland".
- The official proportions are 11:18. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 2 colours: white and blue.
- The white on the flag stands for the snow of the winter.
- The blue on the flag stands for the thousands of lakes and the sky.
- Nordic cross: Christianity and the shared Nordic identity.
- Siniristilippu: The “Blue Cross Flag”, its colours taken from a 19th-century poem about the country’s lakes and snow.
- The design belongs to the "Nordic cross" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bouvet Island, Faroe Islands and Iceland.
- Finland became independent on 6 December 1917 from Russia.
- Pesäpallo, Finnish baseball, is the official national sport; ice hockey is the most followed.
- The national animal is the brown bear, with the whooper swan as national bird.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Finland
When was the flag of Finland adopted?
The flag of Finland was officially adopted on May 29, 1918.
What do the colours of the flag of Finland mean?
White for the snow of the winter and blue for the thousands of lakes and the sky.
When did Finland gain independence?
Finland became independent on 6 December 1917 from Russia.
What is the national sport of Finland?
Pesäpallo, Finnish baseball, is the official national sport; ice hockey is the most followed.
What do the symbols on the flag of Finland represent?
Nordic cross — Christianity and the shared Nordic identity. Siniristilippu — The “Blue Cross Flag”, its colours taken from a 19th-century poem about the country’s lakes and snow.
What are the proportions of the flag of Finland?
The official ratio is 11:18, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Finland?
The national anthem is "Maamme".
When is the national day of Finland?
It falls on 6 December, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Finland?
The national animal is the brown bear, with the whooper swan as national bird.
What is the capital of Finland?
The capital is Helsinki. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Finnish, Swedish.