Flag of Iraq
countryThe flag of Iraq was adopted on January 22, 2008. Horizontal tricolour with green Kufic script. It uses 4 colours: red, white, black and green. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Iraq |
|---|---|
| Country | Iraq |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Iraq |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Western Asia |
| ISO Country Code | IQ / IRQ |
| Internet Domain | .iq |
| Calling Code | +964 |
| Currency | Iraqi dinar (IQD) |
| National Language(s) | Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani |
| Demonym | Iraqi |
| Area | 438,317 km² |
| Population | 47 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Iraq |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | January 22, 2008 |
| First Used | 1963 |
| Current Version Adopted | January 22, 2008 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Black, Green |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with green Kufic script |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Iraq |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Green | #007A3D | 0, 122, 61 | 100, 0, 50, 52 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents courage and struggle |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents generosity and a bright future |
| Black colour | Represents past battles and the triumphs of Islam |
| Green colour | Represents the takbir script |
| Takbir | The phrase “Allahu Akbar” in green Kufic script, rendered in that style since 2008 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1963 | The design was first used |
| 2008-01-22 | 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 | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Iraq 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 Iraq
| 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 | 18 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | January 22, 2008 |
| Oldest Version | 1963 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Austria, Azerbaijan, Bolivia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with green Kufic script |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Iraq
- The takbir in the centre band was rendered in a handwriting associated with the previous government until 2008, when it was replaced with Kufic script.
- Three stars were removed at the same time; they had originally represented a hoped-for union with Egypt and Syria.
- The flag of Iraq was officially adopted on January 22, 2008.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1963, 45 years before it was formally made the flag of Iraq.
- The flag in its present form is 18 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with green Kufic script.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, white, black and green.
- The red on the flag stands for courage and struggle.
- The white on the flag stands for generosity and a bright future.
- The black on the flag stands for past battles and the triumphs of Islam.
- Takbir: The phrase “Allahu Akbar” in green Kufic script, rendered in that style since 2008.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Austria, Azerbaijan and Bolivia.
- Iraq became independent on 3 October 1932 from the United Kingdom.
- Iraq left the British mandate in 1932 and became a republic in 1958.
- Football is the national sport.
- The national anthem is "Mawtini".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Iraq
When was the flag of Iraq adopted?
The flag of Iraq was officially adopted on January 22, 2008, though the design had already been in use since 1963.
What do the colours of the flag of Iraq mean?
Red for courage and struggle, white for generosity and a bright future, black for past battles and the triumphs of Islam and green for the takbir script.
When did Iraq gain independence?
Iraq became independent on 3 October 1932 from the United Kingdom. Iraq left the British mandate in 1932 and became a republic in 1958.
What is the national sport of Iraq?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Iraq represent?
Takbir — The phrase “Allahu Akbar” in green Kufic script, rendered in that style since 2008.
What are the proportions of the flag of Iraq?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Iraq?
The national anthem is "Mawtini".
When is the national day of Iraq?
It falls on 3 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Iraq?
The capital is Baghdad. The currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD) and the language spoken is Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Iraq?
The closest matches are Austria, Azerbaijan and Bolivia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.