Flag of United Kingdom
countryThe flag of United Kingdom was adopted on January 1, 1801. Superimposed crosses of Saint George, Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick. It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Official Country Name | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Capital | London |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GB / GBR |
| Internet Domain | .uk |
| Calling Code | +44 |
| Currency | British pound (GBP) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | British |
| Area | 242,900 km² |
| Population | 69 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | January 1, 1801 |
| First Used | 1606 |
| Current Version Adopted | January 1, 1801 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red |
| Design Type | Superimposed crosses of Saint George, Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of United Kingdom |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #012169 | 1, 33, 105 | 99, 69, 0, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #C8102E | 200, 16, 46 | 0, 92, 77, 22 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the field of the Saltire of Saint Andrew |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the Saltire and the fimbriations |
| Red colour | Represents the Cross of Saint George and the Saltire of Saint Patrick |
| Union Jack | The crosses of the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland combined |
| Counterchanged saltires | The red saltire is offset against the white so that neither takes precedence — which is why the flag is not symmetrical and can be flown upside down |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1606 | The design was first used |
| 1801-01-01 | 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) |
United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom
| 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 | 225 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | January 1, 1801 |
| Oldest Version | 1606 |
| Flag Nickname | The Union Jack |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Basque Country |
| Unique Feature | Superimposed crosses of Saint George, Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick |
Other combined cross and saltire flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of United Kingdom
- The Union Flag layers three flags: the English cross of Saint George, the Scottish saltire of Saint Andrew and the Irish saltire of Saint Patrick.
- The Irish saltire is offset from the Scottish one, which means the flag is not symmetrical and can be flown upside down. The broad white band should be uppermost at the hoist.
- Wales is not represented, because it was already legally part of the Kingdom of England when the first union flag was created in 1606.
- The United Kingdom has never legislated its official shades, so the colours used are convention rather than law.
- The flag of United Kingdom was officially adopted on January 1, 1801.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1606, 195 years before it was formally made the flag of United Kingdom.
- The flag in its present form is 225 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Superimposed crosses of Saint George, Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick.
- The flag is known as The Union Jack, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of United Kingdom".
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.
- The blue on the flag stands for the field of the Saltire of Saint Andrew.
- The white on the flag stands for the Saltire and the fimbriations.
- The red on the flag stands for the Cross of Saint George and the Saltire of Saint Patrick.
- Union Jack: The crosses of the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland combined.
- Counterchanged saltires: The red saltire is offset against the white so that neither takes precedence — which is why the flag is not symmetrical and can be flown upside down.
- The design belongs to the "Combined cross and saltire" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Basque Country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of United Kingdom
When was the flag of United Kingdom adopted?
The flag of United Kingdom was officially adopted on January 1, 1801, though the design had already been in use since 1606.
What do the colours of the flag of United Kingdom mean?
Blue for the field of the Saltire of Saint Andrew, white for the Saltire and the fimbriations and red for the Cross of Saint George and the Saltire of Saint Patrick.
When did United Kingdom gain independence?
The United Kingdom was formed by the Acts of Union of 1707 between England and Scotland, joined by Ireland in 1801; it was never colonised.
What is the national sport of United Kingdom?
Football is the most popular sport, and cricket is often called the national summer game.
What do the symbols on the flag of United Kingdom represent?
Union Jack — The crosses of the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland combined. Counterchanged saltires — The red saltire is offset against the white so that neither takes precedence — which is why the flag is not symmetrical and can be flown upside down.
What are the proportions of the flag of United Kingdom?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of United Kingdom?
The national anthem is "God Save the King".
When is the national day of United Kingdom?
It falls on The United Kingdom has no official national day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of United Kingdom?
The national animal is the lion, with the robin as the national bird of England.
What is the capital of United Kingdom?
The capital is London. The currency is the British pound (GBP) and the language spoken is English.