Flag of England
regionThe flag of England was adopted on 1606. White field with a red Greek cross. It uses 2 colours: white and red. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of England |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Official Country Name | England |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GB-ENG |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of England |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | 1606 |
| First Used | 1188 |
| Current Version Adopted | 1606 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | White, Red |
| Design Type | White field with a red Greek cross |
| Official Status | Official Regional Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CE1124 | 206, 17, 36 | 0, 92, 83, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the Cross of Saint George |
| Cross of Saint George | Adopted by English crusaders in the 12th century and later the emblem of England |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1188 | The design was first used |
| 1606 | 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) |
England Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of England
| 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 | 420 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | 1606 |
| Oldest Version | 1188 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guernsey |
| Unique Feature | White field with a red Greek cross |
Other centred cross flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of England
- The cross of Saint George has been an English emblem since the late thirteenth century, when English soldiers were ordered to wear it as a field sign.
- England originally borrowed the emblem from Genoa, whose ships enjoyed protection in the Mediterranean under it.
- The flag of England was officially adopted on 1606.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1188, 418 years before it was formally made the flag of England.
- The flag in its present form is 420 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a red Greek cross.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 20 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: white and red.
- The white on the flag stands for the field.
- The red on the flag stands for the Cross of Saint George.
- Cross of Saint George: Adopted by English crusaders in the 12th century and later the emblem of England.
- The design belongs to the "Centred cross" family, shared with 4 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Dominican Republic, Georgia and Guernsey.
- England is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport and cricket the national summer game.
- The national animal is the lion, with the robin as national bird.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 23 April, Saint George's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of England
When was the flag of England adopted?
The flag of England was officially adopted on 1606, though the design had already been in use since 1188.
What do the colours of the flag of England mean?
White for the field and red for the Cross of Saint George.
Is England an independent country?
England is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom, a status held since 1707, under the Acts of Union with Scotland.
What is the national sport of England?
Football is the most popular sport and cricket the national summer game.
What do the symbols on the flag of England represent?
Cross of Saint George — Adopted by English crusaders in the 12th century and later the emblem of England.
What are the proportions of the flag of England?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 20 national flags.
When is the national day of England?
It falls on 23 April, Saint George's Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of England?
The national animal is the lion, with the robin as national bird.
Which flags look similar to the flag of England?
The closest matches are Dominican Republic, Georgia and Guernsey, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of England?
It uses 2 colours: white and red.