Flag of Iceland
countryThe flag of Iceland was adopted on June 17, 1944. Blue field with a white-fimbriated red Nordic cross. It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red. The official proportions are 18:25.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Iceland |
|---|---|
| Country | Iceland |
| Official Country Name | Iceland |
| Capital | Reykjavik |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | IS / ISL |
| Internet Domain | .is |
| Calling Code | +354 |
| Currency | Icelandic króna (ISK) |
| National Language(s) | Icelandic |
| Demonym | Icelander |
| Area | 103,000 km² |
| Population | 0.39 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Iceland |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 17, 1944 |
| First Used | 1915 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 17, 1944 |
| Flag Proportion | 18:25 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red |
| Design Type | Blue field with a white-fimbriated red Nordic cross |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Iceland |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #02529C | 2, 82, 156 | 99, 47, 0, 39 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #DC1E35 | 220, 30, 53 | 0, 86, 76, 14 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the mountains and the sea |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the ice and snow |
| Red colour | Represents the island’s volcanic fire |
| Nordic cross | Christianity and the shared Nordic identity |
| Colours | Fire, ice and the deep blue of the North Atlantic |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1915 | The design was first used |
| 1944-06-17 | 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 | 18:25 |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 units (hoist) |
| Length | 25 units (fly) |
Iceland 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 Iceland
| 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 | 82 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 17, 1944 |
| Oldest Version | 1915 |
| Flag Nickname | Krossfáni |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Aland Islands, Bouvet Island, Denmark |
| Unique Feature | Blue field with a white-fimbriated red Nordic cross |
Other nordic cross flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Iceland
- The design deliberately echoes Norway's while reversing the field and cross colours, a choice made when Iceland was still under Danish rule.
- The state flag is swallow-tailed and is reserved for government use; the rectangular version is what citizens fly.
- Icelandic law sets out when the flag may be raised and lowered and prohibits its use in advertising.
- The flag of Iceland was officially adopted on June 17, 1944.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1915, 29 years before it was formally made the flag of Iceland.
- The flag in its present form is 82 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Blue field with a white-fimbriated red Nordic cross.
- The flag is known as Krossfáni, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Iceland".
- The official proportions are 18:25. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.
- The blue on the flag stands for the mountains and the sea.
- The white on the flag stands for the ice and snow.
- The red on the flag stands for the island’s volcanic fire.
- Nordic cross: Christianity and the shared Nordic identity.
- Colours: Fire, ice and the deep blue of the North Atlantic.
- The design belongs to the "Nordic cross" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Aland Islands, Bouvet Island and Denmark.
- Iceland became independent on 17 June 1944 from Denmark.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Iceland
When was the flag of Iceland adopted?
The flag of Iceland was officially adopted on June 17, 1944, though the design had already been in use since 1915.
What do the colours of the flag of Iceland mean?
Blue for the mountains and the sea, white for the ice and snow and red for the island’s volcanic fire.
When did Iceland gain independence?
Iceland became independent on 17 June 1944 from Denmark. Iceland became a sovereign state in personal union with Denmark on 1 December 1918 and a full republic in 1944.
What is the national sport of Iceland?
Glíma, the traditional Icelandic wrestling, is the national sport; handball and football are the most followed.
What do the symbols on the flag of Iceland represent?
Nordic cross — Christianity and the shared Nordic identity. Colours — Fire, ice and the deep blue of the North Atlantic.
What are the proportions of the flag of Iceland?
The official ratio is 18:25, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Iceland?
The national anthem is "Lofsöngur".
When is the national day of Iceland?
It falls on 17 June, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Iceland?
The national animal is the gyrfalcon.
What is the capital of Iceland?
The capital is Reykjavik. The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK) and the language spoken is Icelandic.