Flag of Faroe Islands
territoryThe flag of Faroe Islands was adopted on April 25, 1940. White field with a red Nordic cross fimbriated blue. It uses 3 colours: white, red and blue. The official proportions are 8:11.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Faroe Islands |
|---|---|
| Country | Faroe Islands |
| Official Country Name | Faroe Islands |
| Capital | Tórshavn |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | FO / FRO |
| Internet Domain | .fo |
| Calling Code | +298 |
| Currency | Danish krone (DKK), Faroese króna (FOK) |
| National Language(s) | Danish, Faroese |
| Demonym | Faroese |
| Area | 1,393 km² |
| Population | 48,497 (2018 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Faroe Islands |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | April 25, 1940 |
| First Used | 1919 |
| Current Version Adopted | April 25, 1940 |
| Flag Proportion | 8:11 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Blue |
| Design Type | White field with a red Nordic cross fimbriated blue |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #ED2939 | 237, 41, 57 | 0, 83, 76, 7 | |
| Blue | #0065BD | 0, 101, 189 | 100, 47, 0, 26 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the foam of the sea and the sky |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the cross |
| Blue colour | Represents the fimbriation |
| Merkið | “The Mark” — designed by Faroese students in Copenhagen, its colours drawn from the other Nordic flags |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1919 | The design was first used |
| 1940-04-25 | 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 | 8:11 |
|---|---|
| Width | 8 units (hoist) |
| Length | 11 units (fly) |
Faroe Islands Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Faroe Islands
| 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 | 86 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 25, 1940 |
| Oldest Version | 1919 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Aland Islands, Bouvet Island, Denmark |
| Unique Feature | White field with a red Nordic cross fimbriated blue |
Other nordic cross flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Faroe Islands
- The Merkið is a Nordic cross in the colours of Norway and Iceland, designed by Faroese students in Copenhagen in 1919.
- It was recognised by Britain in 1940 during the occupation of the islands, and 25 April is still observed as Flag Day.
- The flag of Faroe Islands was officially adopted on April 25, 1940.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1919, 21 years before it was formally made the flag of Faroe Islands.
- The flag in its present form is 86 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a red Nordic cross fimbriated blue.
- The official proportions are 8:11. It shares that ratio with 2 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, red and blue.
- The white on the flag stands for the foam of the sea and the sky.
- The red on the flag stands for the cross.
- The blue on the flag stands for the fimbriation.
- Merkið: “The Mark” — designed by Faroese students in Copenhagen, its colours drawn from the other Nordic flags.
- The design belongs to the "Nordic cross" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Aland Islands, Bouvet Island and Denmark.
- Faroe Islands is an autonomous constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark, administered by Denmark.
- Rowing is the national sport and football the most popular.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 29 July, Ólavsøka.
- The capital is Tórshavn. The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), Faroese króna (FOK).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Faroe Islands
When was the flag of Faroe Islands adopted?
The flag of Faroe Islands was officially adopted on April 25, 1940, though the design had already been in use since 1919.
What do the colours of the flag of Faroe Islands mean?
White for the foam of the sea and the sky, red for the cross and blue for the fimbriation.
Is Faroe Islands an independent country?
Faroe Islands is an autonomous constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark, administered by Denmark, a status held since 1948, when home rule was granted.
What is the national sport of Faroe Islands?
Rowing is the national sport and football the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Faroe Islands represent?
Merkið — “The Mark” — designed by Faroese students in Copenhagen, its colours drawn from the other Nordic flags.
What are the proportions of the flag of Faroe Islands?
The official ratio is 8:11, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 2 national flags.
When is the national day of Faroe Islands?
It falls on 29 July, Ólavsøka, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Faroe Islands?
The capital is Tórshavn. The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), Faroese króna (FOK) and the language spoken is Danish, Faroese.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Faroe Islands?
The closest matches are Aland Islands, Bouvet Island and Denmark, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Faroe Islands?
It uses 3 colours: white, red and blue.