Flag of Italy
countryThe flag of Italy was adopted on June 19, 1946. Vertical tricolour. It uses 3 colours: green, white and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Italy |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Official Country Name | Italian Republic |
| Capital | Rome |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | IT / ITA |
| Internet Domain | .it |
| Calling Code | +39 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Italian |
| Demonym | Italian |
| Area | 301,336 km² |
| Population | 59 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Italy |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 19, 1946 |
| First Used | 1797 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 19, 1946 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, White, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Italy |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #008C45 | 0, 140, 69 | 100, 0, 51, 45 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CD212A | 205, 33, 42 | 0, 84, 80, 20 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the countryside and hope |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the snow of the Alps and faith |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed in the wars of unification, and charity |
| Origin | Based on the French tricolour, with green from the uniforms of the Milanese civic guard — first raised by the Cispadane Republic in 1797 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1797 | The design was first used |
| 1946-06-19 | 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) |
Italy 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 Italy
| 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 | 80 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 19, 1946 |
| Oldest Version | 1797 |
| Flag Nickname | Il Tricolore |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Cameroon, Clipperton Island, Côte d\\\'Ivoire |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Italy
- The tricolour originates with the Cispadane Republic of 1797, which took the French design and substituted green for blue.
- The exact shades were specified by government decree in 2003 and again in 2006, after complaints that manufacturers were producing flags in inconsistent greens.
- The Italian and Mexican flags are frequently confused when the Mexican coat of arms is omitted; Italy's proportions are also shorter.
- The flag of Italy was officially adopted on June 19, 1946.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1797, 149 years before it was formally made the flag of Italy.
- The flag in its present form is 80 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour.
- The flag is known as Il Tricolore, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Italy".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, white and red.
- The green on the flag stands for the countryside and hope.
- The white on the flag stands for the snow of the Alps and faith.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed in the wars of unification, and charity.
- Origin: Based on the French tricolour, with green from the uniforms of the Milanese civic guard — first raised by the Cispadane Republic in 1797.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Cameroon, Clipperton Island and Côte d\\\'Ivoire.
- Italy became independent on 17 March 1861 from no colonial power — the date marks the unification of Italy.
- The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861 and the republic established by referendum on 2 June 1946.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Italy
When was the flag of Italy adopted?
The flag of Italy was officially adopted on June 19, 1946, though the design had already been in use since 1797.
What do the colours of the flag of Italy mean?
Green for the countryside and hope, white for the snow of the Alps and faith and red for the blood shed in the wars of unification, and charity.
When did Italy gain independence?
Italy became independent on 17 March 1861 from no colonial power — the date marks the unification of Italy. The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861 and the republic established by referendum on 2 June 1946.
What is the national sport of Italy?
Football is the national sport, with cycling and motorsport close behind.
What do the symbols on the flag of Italy represent?
Origin — Based on the French tricolour, with green from the uniforms of the Milanese civic guard — first raised by the Cispadane Republic in 1797.
What are the proportions of the flag of Italy?
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 Italy?
The national anthem is "Il Canto degli Italiani".
When is the national day of Italy?
It falls on 2 June, Republic Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Italy?
The national animal is the Italian wolf.
What is the capital of Italy?
The capital is Rome. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Italian.