Flag of Malawi
countryThe flag of Malawi was adopted on July 6, 1964. Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun. It uses 3 colours: black, red and green. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Malawi |
|---|---|
| Country | Malawi |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Malawi |
| Capital | Lilongwe |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | MW / MWI |
| Internet Domain | .mw |
| Calling Code | +265 |
| Currency | Malawian kwacha (MWK) |
| National Language(s) | Chewa, English |
| Demonym | Malawian |
| Area | 118,484 km² |
| Population | 22 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Malawi |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 6, 1964 |
| First Used | 1964 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 6, 1964 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Black, Red, Green |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Malawi |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Green | #339E35 | 51, 158, 53 | 68, 0, 66, 38 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the people of Africa |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed for African freedom |
| Green colour | Represents the evergreen nature of the country |
| Rising sun | The dawn of hope and freedom for the African continent |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1964 | The design was first used |
| 1964-07-06 | 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) |
Malawi 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 Malawi
| 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 | 62 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 6, 1964 |
| Oldest Version | 1964 |
| Most Common Color | Black |
| Similar Flags | Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Malawi
- The flag was redesigned in 2010, replacing the rising sun with a full white sun, and then changed back in 2012 after sustained public objection.
- It is one of very few national flag changes anywhere to have been reversed within two years.
- The rising sun on the black band represents the dawn of independence across Africa, not just in Malawi.
- The flag of Malawi was officially adopted on July 6, 1964.
- The flag in its present form is 62 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: black, red and green.
- The black on the flag stands for the people of Africa.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed for African freedom.
- The green on the flag stands for the evergreen nature of the country.
- Rising sun: The dawn of hope and freedom for the African continent.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem" family, shared with 19 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran.
- Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport, with netball the strongest internationally.
- The national animal is the fish eagle, which sits above the flag's rising sun on the coat of arms.
- The national anthem is "Mulungu dalitsa Malaŵi".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Malawi
When was the flag of Malawi adopted?
The flag of Malawi was officially adopted on July 6, 1964.
What do the colours of the flag of Malawi mean?
Black for the people of Africa, red for the blood shed for African freedom and green for the evergreen nature of the country.
When did Malawi gain independence?
Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Malawi?
Football is the most popular sport, with netball the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Malawi represent?
Rising sun — The dawn of hope and freedom for the African continent.
What are the proportions of the flag of Malawi?
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 Malawi?
The national anthem is "Mulungu dalitsa Malaŵi".
When is the national day of Malawi?
It falls on 6 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Malawi?
The national animal is the fish eagle, which sits above the flag's rising sun on the coat of arms.
What is the capital of Malawi?
The capital is Lilongwe. The currency is the Malawian kwacha (MWK) and the language spoken is Chewa, English.