Flag of Iran
countryThe flag of Iran was adopted on July 29, 1980 to a design by Hamid Nadimi. Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem and Kufic script bands. It uses 3 colours: green, white and red. The official proportions are 4:7.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Iran |
|---|---|
| Country | Iran |
| Official Country Name | Islamic Republic of Iran |
| Capital | Tehran |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Southern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | IR / IRN |
| Internet Domain | .ir, ایران. |
| Calling Code | +98 |
| Currency | Iranian rial (IRR) |
| National Language(s) | Persian (Farsi) |
| Demonym | Iranian |
| Area | 1,648,195 km² |
| Population | 92 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Iran |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 29, 1980 |
| First Used | 1980 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 29, 1980 |
| Flag Proportion | 4:7 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, White, Red |
| Designer | Hamid Nadimi |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem and Kufic script bands |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Iran |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #239F40 | 35, 159, 64 | 78, 0, 60, 38 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #DA0000 | 218, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 15 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents growth, happiness, unity and Islam |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents freedom and peace |
| Red colour | Represents martyrdom, bravery and the fire of life |
| National emblem | A stylised word “Allah” formed from four crescents and a sword, shaped like a tulip — the flower said to grow where a martyr falls |
| Takbir script | The phrase “Allahu Akbar” repeated twenty-two times along the band edges, marking the 22nd of Bahman, the day of the revolution |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980 | The design was first used |
| 1980-07-29 | 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 | 4:7 |
|---|---|
| Width | 4 units (hoist) |
| Length | 7 units (fly) |
Iran 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 Iran
| 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 | 46 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 29, 1980 |
| Oldest Version | 1980 |
| Designer | Hamid Nadimi |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Cambodia, Colorado, Croatia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem and Kufic script bands |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Iran
- The stylised inscription Allahu Akbar appears twenty-two times along the inner edges of the green and red bands, marking the twenty-second day of the eleventh Iranian month — the date of the 1979 revolution.
- The central emblem is a stylised word composed of four crescents and a sword, and was designed to be read as both a word and an abstract tulip.
- The proportions and the exact geometry of the emblem are defined in Iranian national standards.
- The flag of Iran was officially adopted on July 29, 1980. It was designed by Hamid Nadimi.
- The flag in its present form is 46 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem and Kufic script bands.
- The official proportions are 4:7. It shares that ratio with 1 national flag.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, white and red.
- The green on the flag stands for growth, happiness, unity and Islam.
- The white on the flag stands for freedom and peace.
- The red on the flag stands for martyrdom, bravery and the fire of life.
- National emblem: A stylised word “Allah” formed from four crescents and a sword, shaped like a tulip — the flower said to grow where a martyr falls.
- Takbir script: The phrase “Allahu Akbar” repeated twenty-two times along the band edges, marking the 22nd of Bahman, the day of the revolution.
- 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: Cambodia, Colorado and Croatia.
- Iran was never formally colonised. The Islamic Republic in its present form dates from the revolution of 11 February 1979.
- Freestyle wrestling is the national sport, alongside the traditional gymnasium discipline varzesh-e bastani; football is the most popular.
- The national animal is the Asiatic lion, with the Persian leopard as a national symbol.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Iran
When was the flag of Iran adopted?
The flag of Iran was officially adopted on July 29, 1980.
What do the colours of the flag of Iran mean?
Green for growth, happiness, unity and Islam, white for freedom and peace and red for martyrdom, bravery and the fire of life.
When did Iran gain independence?
Iran was never formally colonised. The Islamic Republic in its present form dates from the revolution of 11 February 1979.
What is the national sport of Iran?
Freestyle wrestling is the national sport, alongside the traditional gymnasium discipline varzesh-e bastani; football is the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Iran represent?
National emblem — A stylised word “Allah” formed from four crescents and a sword, shaped like a tulip — the flower said to grow where a martyr falls. Takbir script — The phrase “Allahu Akbar” repeated twenty-two times along the band edges, marking the 22nd of Bahman, the day of the revolution.
Who designed the flag of Iran?
The flag was designed by Hamid Nadimi.
What are the proportions of the flag of Iran?
The official ratio is 4:7, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 1 national flag.
What is the national anthem of Iran?
The national anthem is "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran".
When is the national day of Iran?
It falls on 11 February, Revolution Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Iran?
The national animal is the Asiatic lion, with the Persian leopard as a national symbol.