Flag of Gibraltar
territoryThe flag of Gibraltar was adopted on November 8, 1982. White over red field with a red castle and gold key. It uses 3 colours: white, red and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Country | Gibraltar |
| Official Country Name | Gibraltar |
| Capital | Gibraltar |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GI / GIB |
| Internet Domain | .gi |
| Calling Code | +350 |
| Currency | Gibraltar pound (GIP) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Gibraltar |
| Area | 6 km² |
| Population | 33,718 (2018 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | November 8, 1982 |
| First Used | 1502 |
| Current Version Adopted | November 8, 1982 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Gold |
| Design Type | White over red field with a red castle and gold key |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #DA000C | 218, 0, 12 | 0, 100, 94, 15 | |
| Gold | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the upper band |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the lower band and the castle |
| Gold colour | Represents the key |
| Castle and key | From the arms granted by Spain in 1502 — Gibraltar as the key to the Mediterranean |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1502 | The design was first used |
| 1982-11-08 | 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) |
Gibraltar Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Gibraltar
| 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 | 44 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | November 8, 1982 |
| Oldest Version | 1502 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Greenland, Wales |
| Unique Feature | White over red field with a red castle and gold key |
Other bicolour with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Gibraltar
- The flag is a banner of Gibraltar's coat of arms, granted by Spain in 1502, and the key hanging from the castle represents Gibraltar as the key to the Mediterranean.
- It is one of only two British Overseas Territory flags that is not an ensign, the design being a heraldic banner instead.
- The flag of Gibraltar was officially adopted on November 8, 1982.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1502, 480 years before it was formally made the flag of Gibraltar.
- The flag in its present form is 44 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White over red field with a red castle and gold key.
- 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 upper band.
- The red on the flag stands for the lower band and the castle.
- The gold on the flag stands for the key.
- Castle and key: From the arms granted by Spain in 1502 — Gibraltar as the key to the Mediterranean.
- The design belongs to the "Bicolour with an emblem" family, shared with 2 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Greenland and Wales.
- Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 10 September, Gibraltar National Day.
- The capital is Gibraltar. The currency is the Gibraltar pound (GIP).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Gibraltar
When was the flag of Gibraltar adopted?
The flag of Gibraltar was officially adopted on November 8, 1982, though the design had already been in use since 1502.
What do the colours of the flag of Gibraltar mean?
White for the upper band, red for the lower band and the castle and gold for the key.
Is Gibraltar an independent country?
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, administered by the United Kingdom, a status held since 1713, under the Treaty of Utrecht.
What is the national sport of Gibraltar?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Gibraltar represent?
Castle and key — From the arms granted by Spain in 1502 — Gibraltar as the key to the Mediterranean.
What are the proportions of the flag of Gibraltar?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
When is the national day of Gibraltar?
It falls on 10 September, Gibraltar National Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Gibraltar?
The capital is Gibraltar. The currency is the Gibraltar pound (GIP) and the language spoken is English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Gibraltar?
The closest matches are Greenland and Wales, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Gibraltar?
It uses 3 colours: white, red and gold.