Flag of Norway
countryThe flag of Norway was adopted on July 13, 1821 to a design by Fredrik Meltzer. Red field with a blue Nordic cross fimbriated white. It uses 3 colours: red, white and blue. The official proportions are 8:11.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Norway |
|---|---|
| Country | Norway |
| Official Country Name | Kingdom of Norway |
| Capital | Oslo |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | NO / NOR |
| Internet Domain | .no |
| Calling Code | +47 |
| Currency | Norwegian krone (NOK) |
| National Language(s) | Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Sami |
| Demonym | Norwegian |
| Area | 323,802 km² |
| Population | 5.6 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Norway |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 13, 1821 |
| First Used | 1821 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 13, 1821 |
| Flag Proportion | 8:11 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Designer | Fredrik Meltzer |
| Design Type | Red field with a blue Nordic cross fimbriated white |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Norway |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #BA0C2F | 186, 12, 47 | 0, 94, 75, 27 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #00205B | 0, 32, 91 | 100, 65, 0, 64 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the field, from the Danish flag |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the fimbriation, from the Danish flag |
| Blue colour | Represents the cross, from the Swedish and French flags |
| Nordic cross | Christianity and the shared Nordic identity |
| Colours | Red and white from Denmark, blue added for liberty in the spirit of the French and American flags |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1821 | The design was first used |
| 1821-07-13 | 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 | 8:11 |
|---|---|
| Width | 8 units (hoist) |
| Length | 11 units (fly) |
Norway 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 Norway
| 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 | 205 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 13, 1821 |
| Oldest Version | 1821 |
| Designer | Fredrik Meltzer |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Aland Islands, Bouvet Island, Denmark |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a blue Nordic cross fimbriated white |
Other nordic cross flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Norway
- The design adds a blue cross to the Danish red and white, giving Norway all three colours associated with liberty at the time it was designed in 1821.
- The flag was not permitted to be flown freely at sea until 1898, after decades of political argument about the union with Sweden.
- Norway's state flag is swallow-tailed and is used by government bodies; the rectangular version is the civil flag.
- The flag of Norway was officially adopted on July 13, 1821. It was designed by Fredrik Meltzer.
- The flag in its present form is 205 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a blue Nordic cross fimbriated white.
- The official proportions are 8:11. It shares that ratio with 1 national flag.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and blue.
- The red on the flag stands for the field, from the Danish flag.
- The white on the flag stands for the fimbriation, from the Danish flag.
- The blue on the flag stands for the cross, from the Swedish and French flags.
- Nordic cross: Christianity and the shared Nordic identity.
- Colours: Red and white from Denmark, blue added for liberty in the spirit of the French and American flags.
- The design belongs to the "Nordic cross" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Aland Islands, Bouvet Island and Denmark.
- Norway became independent on 7 June 1905 from Sweden.
- Norway adopted its constitution on 17 May 1814, the date it celebrates, and dissolved the union with Sweden in 1905.
- Cross-country skiing is the national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Norway
When was the flag of Norway adopted?
The flag of Norway was officially adopted on July 13, 1821.
What do the colours of the flag of Norway mean?
Red for the field, from the Danish flag, white for the fimbriation, from the Danish flag and blue for the cross, from the Swedish and French flags.
When did Norway gain independence?
Norway became independent on 7 June 1905 from Sweden. Norway adopted its constitution on 17 May 1814, the date it celebrates, and dissolved the union with Sweden in 1905.
What is the national sport of Norway?
Cross-country skiing is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Norway represent?
Nordic cross — Christianity and the shared Nordic identity. Colours — Red and white from Denmark, blue added for liberty in the spirit of the French and American flags.
Who designed the flag of Norway?
The flag was designed by Fredrik Meltzer.
What are the proportions of the flag of Norway?
The official ratio is 8:11, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 1 national flag.
What is the national anthem of Norway?
The national anthem is "Ja, vi elsker dette landet".
When is the national day of Norway?
It falls on 17 May, Constitution Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Norway?
The national animal is the elk, with the fjord horse as national horse and the dipper as national bird.