Flag of Monaco
countryThe flag of Monaco was adopted on April 4, 1881. Horizontal bicolour. It uses 2 colours: red and white. The official proportions are 4:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Monaco |
|---|---|
| Country | Monaco |
| Official Country Name | Principality of Monaco |
| Capital | Monaco |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | MC / MCO |
| Internet Domain | .mc |
| Calling Code | +377 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | French |
| Demonym | Monegasque |
| Area | 2 km² |
| Population | 0.04 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Monaco |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | April 4, 1881 |
| First Used | 1339 |
| Current Version Adopted | April 4, 1881 |
| Flag Proportion | 4:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Red, White |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Monaco |
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 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the arms of the House of Grimaldi |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the arms of the House of Grimaldi |
| House of Grimaldi | The heraldic colours of the ruling family since the 14th century |
| Similarity to Indonesia | The two flags differ only in proportion — Monaco is 4:5 and Indonesia 2:3 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1339 | The design was first used |
| 1881-04-04 | 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 | 4:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 4 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Monaco 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 Monaco
| 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 | 145 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 4, 1881 |
| Oldest Version | 1339 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Indonesia, Poland |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour |
Other horizontal bicolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Monaco
- Monaco's red and white bicolour comes from the heraldic colours of the House of Grimaldi and predates Indonesia's identical design by several centuries.
- The two flags differ only in proportion: Monaco's is 4:5 and Indonesia's 2:3.
- Monaco also uses a separate princely standard bearing the full coat of arms, which is what flies over the palace when the prince is in residence.
- The flag of Monaco was officially adopted on April 4, 1881.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1339, 542 years before it was formally made the flag of Monaco.
- The flag in its present form is 145 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour.
- The official proportions are 4:5. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 2 colours: red and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the arms of the House of Grimaldi.
- The white on the flag stands for the arms of the House of Grimaldi.
- House of Grimaldi: The heraldic colours of the ruling family since the 14th century.
- Similarity to Indonesia: The two flags differ only in proportion — Monaco is 4:5 and Indonesia 2:3.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour" family, shared with 5 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Indonesia and Poland.
- Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297 and its sovereignty was confirmed by treaty with France in 1861.
- Football is the most popular sport, and the Monaco Grand Prix is the event the principality is known for.
- The national anthem is "Hymne Monégasque".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Monaco
When was the flag of Monaco adopted?
The flag of Monaco was officially adopted on April 4, 1881, though the design had already been in use since 1339.
What do the colours of the flag of Monaco mean?
Red for the arms of the House of Grimaldi and white for the arms of the House of Grimaldi.
When did Monaco gain independence?
Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297 and its sovereignty was confirmed by treaty with France in 1861.
What is the national sport of Monaco?
Football is the most popular sport, and the Monaco Grand Prix is the event the principality is known for.
What do the symbols on the flag of Monaco represent?
House of Grimaldi — The heraldic colours of the ruling family since the 14th century. Similarity to Indonesia — The two flags differ only in proportion — Monaco is 4:5 and Indonesia 2:3.
What are the proportions of the flag of Monaco?
The official ratio is 4:5, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Monaco?
The national anthem is "Hymne Monégasque".
When is the national day of Monaco?
It falls on 19 November, Sovereign Prince's Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Monaco?
The capital is Monaco. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is French.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Monaco?
The closest matches are Indonesia and Poland, which share both the construction and most of the colours.