Flag of Croatia
countryThe flag of Croatia was adopted on December 21, 1990. Horizontal tricolour with the chequy coat of arms. It uses 3 colours: red, white and blue. The official proportions are 1:2.
Hoist
Ratio 1:2
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Croatia |
|---|---|
| Country | Croatia |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Croatia |
| Capital | Zagreb |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southeast Europe |
| ISO Country Code | HR / HRV |
| Internet Domain | .hr |
| Calling Code | +385 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Croatian |
| Demonym | Croatian |
| Area | 56,594 km² |
| Population | 3.9 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Croatia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | December 21, 1990 |
| First Used | 1848 |
| Current Version Adopted | December 21, 1990 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with the chequy coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Croatia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #FF0000 | 255, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 0 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #171796 | 23, 23, 150 | 85, 85, 0, 41 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents Croatia proper |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the chequerboard and Pan-Slavic white |
| Blue colour | Represents Slavonia and Pan-Slavic blue |
| Šahovnica | The red-and-white chequerboard, a Croatian emblem since the 15th century |
| Crown of shields | Five small shields above the arms for Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1848 | The design was first used |
| 1990-12-21 | 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) |
Croatia 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 Croatia
| 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 | 36 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | December 21, 1990 |
| Oldest Version | 1848 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Argentina, Cambodia, Colorado |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with the chequy coat of arms |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Croatia
- The chequerboard shield, the šahovnica, has twenty-five red and white squares and has been a Croatian emblem since the medieval period.
- Above the shield sit five smaller shields for the historic regions: the oldest known Croatian arms, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia.
- The current version dates from 1990 and deliberately begins the chequerboard with a white square, following the older heraldic form.
- The flag of Croatia was officially adopted on December 21, 1990.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1848, 142 years before it was formally made the flag of Croatia.
- The flag in its present form is 36 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with the chequy coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and blue.
- The red on the flag stands for Croatia proper.
- The white on the flag stands for the chequerboard and Pan-Slavic white.
- The blue on the flag stands for Slavonia and Pan-Slavic blue.
- Šahovnica: The red-and-white chequerboard, a Croatian emblem since the 15th century.
- Crown of shields: Five small shields above the arms for Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem" family, shared with 19 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Argentina, Cambodia and Colorado.
- Croatia became independent on 25 June 1991 from Yugoslavia.
- Football is the national sport, with handball and water polo strong internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Croatia
When was the flag of Croatia adopted?
The flag of Croatia was officially adopted on December 21, 1990, though the design had already been in use since 1848.
What do the colours of the flag of Croatia mean?
Red for Croatia proper, white for the chequerboard and Pan-Slavic white and blue for Slavonia and Pan-Slavic blue.
When did Croatia gain independence?
Croatia became independent on 25 June 1991 from Yugoslavia.
What is the national sport of Croatia?
Football is the national sport, with handball and water polo strong internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Croatia represent?
Šahovnica — The red-and-white chequerboard, a Croatian emblem since the 15th century. Crown of shields — Five small shields above the arms for Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia.
What are the proportions of the flag of Croatia?
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 Croatia?
The national anthem is "Lijepa naša domovino".
When is the national day of Croatia?
It falls on 30 May, Statehood Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Croatia?
The national animal is the marten, the kuna, which gave the former currency its name.
What is the capital of Croatia?
The capital is Zagreb. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Croatian.