Flag of Wales
regionThe flag of Wales was adopted on February 23, 1959. White over green field with a red dragon. It uses 3 colours: white, green and red. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Wales |
|---|---|
| Country | Wales |
| Official Country Name | Wales |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GB-WLS |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Wales |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 23, 1959 |
| First Used | 1485 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 23, 1959 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Green, Red |
| Design Type | White over green field with a red dragon |
| Official Status | Official Regional Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Green | #00AB39 | 0, 171, 57 | 100, 0, 67, 33 | |
| Red | #D30731 | 211, 7, 49 | 0, 97, 77, 17 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the House of Tudor |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents the House of Tudor |
| Red colour | Represents Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon |
| Y Ddraig Goch | The Red Dragon, a Welsh emblem since at least the 7th century — the only national flag in the world to feature a dragon |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1485 | The design was first used |
| 1959-02-23 | 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) |
Wales Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Wales
| 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 | 67 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 23, 1959 |
| Oldest Version | 1485 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Gibraltar, Greenland |
| Unique Feature | White over green field with a red dragon |
Other bicolour with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Wales
- Y Ddraig Goch is the only dragon on a national flag in Europe, and Wales is not represented on the Union Flag, which is why it is flown separately.
- The current design was granted official status in 1959; the green and white behind the dragon are the Tudor livery colours.
- The flag of Wales was officially adopted on February 23, 1959.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1485, 474 years before it was formally made the flag of Wales.
- The flag in its present form is 67 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White over green field with a red dragon.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 20 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, green and red.
- The white on the flag stands for the House of Tudor.
- The green on the flag stands for the House of Tudor.
- The red on the flag stands for Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon.
- Y Ddraig Goch: The Red Dragon, a Welsh emblem since at least the 7th century — the only national flag in the world to feature a dragon.
- The design belongs to the "Bicolour with an emblem" family, shared with 2 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Gibraltar and Greenland.
- Wales is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Rugby union is the national sport.
- The national animal is the Welsh dragon, the creature on the flag itself.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 March, Saint David's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Wales
When was the flag of Wales adopted?
The flag of Wales was officially adopted on February 23, 1959, though the design had already been in use since 1485.
What do the colours of the flag of Wales mean?
White for the House of Tudor, green for the House of Tudor and red for Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon.
Is Wales an independent country?
Wales is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom, a status held since the Laws in Wales Acts of 1535 and 1542.
What is the national sport of Wales?
Rugby union is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Wales represent?
Y Ddraig Goch — The Red Dragon, a Welsh emblem since at least the 7th century — the only national flag in the world to feature a dragon.
What are the proportions of the flag of Wales?
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 Wales?
It falls on 1 March, Saint David's Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Wales?
The national animal is the Welsh dragon, the creature on the flag itself.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Wales?
The closest matches are Gibraltar and Greenland, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Wales?
It uses 3 colours: white, green and red.