Flag of Lithuania
countryThe flag of Lithuania was adopted on March 20, 1989. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: yellow, green and red. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Lithuania |
|---|---|
| Country | Lithuania |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Lithuania |
| Capital | Vilnius |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | LT / LTU |
| Internet Domain | .lt |
| Calling Code | +370 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Lithuanian |
| Demonym | Lithuanian |
| Area | 65,300 km² |
| Population | 2.9 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Lithuania |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | March 20, 1989 |
| First Used | 1918 |
| Current Version Adopted | March 20, 1989 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Yellow, Green, Red |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Lithuania |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | #FDB913 | 253, 185, 19 | 0, 27, 92, 1 | |
| Green | #006A44 | 0, 106, 68 | 100, 0, 36, 58 | |
| Red | #C1272D | 193, 39, 45 | 0, 80, 77, 24 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Yellow colour | Represents the sun, light and prosperity |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents the forests, the countryside and hope |
| Red colour | Represents the land, courage and the blood shed for it |
| Colours | Taken from traditional Lithuanian woven textiles rather than from heraldry |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1918 | The design was first used |
| 1989-03-20 | 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 | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Lithuania 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 Lithuania
| 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 | 37 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | March 20, 1989 |
| Oldest Version | 1918 |
| Most Common Color | Yellow |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Bulgaria |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Lithuania
- The yellow, green and red were adopted in 1918 and restored in 1988, shortly before independence.
- The proportions were changed from 1:2 to 3:5 in 2004 to match the ratio used by most European countries.
- A separate state flag bearing the Vytis, a mounted knight, is flown over government buildings.
- The flag of Lithuania was officially adopted on March 20, 1989.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1918, 71 years before it was formally made the flag of Lithuania.
- The flag in its present form is 37 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: yellow, green and red.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the sun, light and prosperity.
- The green on the flag stands for the forests, the countryside and hope.
- The red on the flag stands for the land, courage and the blood shed for it.
- Colours: Taken from traditional Lithuanian woven textiles rather than from heraldry.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Azerbaijan, Bolivia and Bulgaria.
- Lithuania became independent on 11 March 1990 from the Soviet Union.
- Lithuania first declared independence on 16 February 1918 and was the first Soviet republic to declare its restoration, in March 1990.
- Basketball is the national sport, often described as the country's second religion.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Lithuania
When was the flag of Lithuania adopted?
The flag of Lithuania was officially adopted on March 20, 1989, though the design had already been in use since 1918.
What do the colours of the flag of Lithuania mean?
Yellow for the sun, light and prosperity, green for the forests, the countryside and hope and red for the land, courage and the blood shed for it.
When did Lithuania gain independence?
Lithuania became independent on 11 March 1990 from the Soviet Union. Lithuania first declared independence on 16 February 1918 and was the first Soviet republic to declare its restoration, in March 1990.
What is the national sport of Lithuania?
Basketball is the national sport, often described as the country's second religion.
What do the symbols on the flag of Lithuania represent?
Colours — Taken from traditional Lithuanian woven textiles rather than from heraldry.
What are the proportions of the flag of Lithuania?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Lithuania?
The national anthem is "Tautiška giesmė".
When is the national day of Lithuania?
It falls on 16 February, Restoration of the State Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Lithuania?
The national animal is the white stork, the national bird.
What is the capital of Lithuania?
The capital is Vilnius. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Lithuanian.