Flag of North Macedonia
countryThe flag of North Macedonia was adopted on October 5, 1995 to a design by Miroslav Grchev. Red field with a golden sun and eight rays. It uses 2 colours: red and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Hoist
Ratio 1:2
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of North Macedonia |
|---|---|
| Country | North Macedonia |
| Official Country Name | Republic of North Macedonia |
| Capital | Skopje |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southeast Europe |
| ISO Country Code | MK / MKD |
| Internet Domain | .mk |
| Calling Code | +389 |
| Currency | denar (MKD) |
| National Language(s) | Macedonian |
| Demonym | Macedonian |
| Area | 25,713 km² |
| Population | 1.8 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of North Macedonia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 5, 1995 |
| First Used | 1995 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 5, 1995 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Red, Gold |
| Designer | Miroslav Grchev |
| Design Type | Red field with a golden sun and eight rays |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of North Macedonia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #D20000 | 210, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 18 | |
| Gold | #FFE600 | 255, 230, 0 | 0, 10, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the field, a traditional Macedonian colour |
|---|---|
| Gold colour | Represents the sun and its rays |
| Sun with eight rays | The “new sun of liberty” from the national anthem — adopted in 1995 to replace the Vergina Sun after a dispute with Greece |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | The design was first used |
| 1995-10-05 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia
| 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 | 31 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 5, 1995 |
| Oldest Version | 1995 |
| Designer | Miroslav Grchev |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Kyrgyzstan |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a golden sun and eight rays |
Other sun with radiating rays flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of North Macedonia
- The sun with eight broad rays reaching the edges of the flag was adopted in 1995, replacing a design based on the Vergina Sun after a dispute with Greece.
- The rays widen as they extend, so the design reads clearly even at small sizes — an unusually deliberate piece of graphic thinking for a national flag.
- The flag of North Macedonia was officially adopted on October 5, 1995. It was designed by Miroslav Grchev.
- The flag in its present form is 31 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a golden sun and eight rays.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: red and gold.
- The red on the flag stands for the field, a traditional Macedonian colour.
- The gold on the flag stands for the sun and its rays.
- Sun with eight rays: The “new sun of liberty” from the national anthem — adopted in 1995 to replace the Vergina Sun after a dispute with Greece.
- The design belongs to the "Sun with radiating rays" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Kyrgyzstan.
- North Macedonia became independent on 8 September 1991 from Yugoslavia.
- The country was renamed from Macedonia to North Macedonia in 2019 under the Prespa Agreement.
- Football and handball are the most popular sports.
- The national anthem is "Denes nad Makedonija".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 8 September, Independence Day.
- The capital is Skopje. The currency is the denar (MKD).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of North Macedonia
When was the flag of North Macedonia adopted?
The flag of North Macedonia was officially adopted on October 5, 1995.
What do the colours of the flag of North Macedonia mean?
Red for the field, a traditional Macedonian colour and gold for the sun and its rays.
When did North Macedonia gain independence?
North Macedonia became independent on 8 September 1991 from Yugoslavia. The country was renamed from Macedonia to North Macedonia in 2019 under the Prespa Agreement.
What is the national sport of North Macedonia?
Football and handball are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of North Macedonia represent?
Sun with eight rays — The “new sun of liberty” from the national anthem — adopted in 1995 to replace the Vergina Sun after a dispute with Greece.
Who designed the flag of North Macedonia?
The flag was designed by Miroslav Grchev.
What are the proportions of the flag of North Macedonia?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of North Macedonia?
The national anthem is "Denes nad Makedonija".
When is the national day of North Macedonia?
It falls on 8 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of North Macedonia?
The capital is Skopje. The currency is the denar (MKD) and the language spoken is Macedonian.