Flag of Northern Ireland
regionThe flag of Northern Ireland was adopted on 1953. White field with a red cross, crowned six-pointed star and red hand. It uses 3 colours: white, red and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Official Country Name | Northern Ireland |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GB-NIR |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | 1953 |
| First Used | 1924 |
| Current Version Adopted | 1953 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Gold |
| Design Type | White field with a red cross, crowned six-pointed star and red hand |
| Official Status | Official Regional Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CF142B | 207, 20, 43 | 0, 90, 79, 19 | |
| Gold | #FFD700 | 255, 215, 0 | 0, 16, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the Cross of Saint George and the Red Hand |
| Gold colour | Represents the crown |
| Red Hand of Ulster | The ancient emblem of Ulster |
| Six-pointed star | The six counties of Northern Ireland |
| Status | The Ulster Banner has had no official status since 1973 and is used mainly in sport |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1924 | The design was first used |
| 1953 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Northern Ireland Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Northern Ireland
| 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 | 73 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | 1953 |
| Oldest Version | 1924 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Dominica |
| Unique Feature | White field with a red cross, crowned six-pointed star and red hand |
Other cross with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Northern Ireland
- The Ulster Banner has had no official status since the Parliament of Northern Ireland was abolished in 1972, though it remains in use in some sporting contexts.
- The red hand in the centre is the Red Hand of Ulster, an emblem used by communities on both sides of the region's divide.
- The flag of Northern Ireland was officially adopted on 1953.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1924, 29 years before it was formally made the flag of Northern Ireland.
- The flag in its present form is 73 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a red cross, crowned six-pointed star and red hand.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 55 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, red and gold.
- The white on the flag stands for the field.
- The red on the flag stands for the Cross of Saint George and the Red Hand.
- The gold on the flag stands for the crown.
- Red Hand of Ulster: The ancient emblem of Ulster.
- Six-pointed star: The six counties of Northern Ireland.
- Status: The Ulster Banner has had no official status since 1973 and is used mainly in sport.
- The design belongs to the "Cross with a central emblem" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Dominica.
- Northern Ireland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Football, rugby union and Gaelic games are all played at a high level.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Northern Ireland
When was the flag of Northern Ireland adopted?
The flag of Northern Ireland was officially adopted on 1953, though the design had already been in use since 1924.
What do the colours of the flag of Northern Ireland mean?
White for the field, red for the Cross of Saint George and the Red Hand and gold for the crown.
Is Northern Ireland an independent country?
Northern Ireland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom, a status held since 3 May 1921, when Ireland was partitioned.
What is the national sport of Northern Ireland?
Football, rugby union and Gaelic games are all played at a high level.
What do the symbols on the flag of Northern Ireland represent?
Red Hand of Ulster — The ancient emblem of Ulster. Six-pointed star — The six counties of Northern Ireland. Status — The Ulster Banner has had no official status since 1973 and is used mainly in sport.
What are the proportions of the flag of Northern Ireland?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Northern Ireland?
The closest matches are Dominica, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Northern Ireland?
It uses 3 colours: white, red and gold.
Can I download the flag of Northern Ireland for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of Northern Ireland in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.
What are the colour codes of the flag of Northern Ireland?
The HEX values are White #FFFFFF, Red #CF142B and Gold #FFD700. RGB, CMYK and HSL equivalents are listed in the colour table on this page.