Flag of Poland
countryThe flag of Poland was adopted on August 1, 1919. Horizontal bicolour. It uses 2 colours: white and red. The official proportions are 5:8.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Poland |
|---|---|
| Country | Poland |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Poland |
| Capital | Warsaw |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Central Europe |
| ISO Country Code | PL / POL |
| Internet Domain | .pl |
| Calling Code | +48 |
| Currency | Polish złoty (PLN) |
| National Language(s) | Polish |
| Demonym | Polish |
| Area | 312,679 km² |
| Population | 38 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Poland |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 1, 1919 |
| First Used | 1831 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 1, 1919 |
| Flag Proportion | 5:8 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | White, Red |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Poland |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #DC143C | 220, 20, 60 | 0, 91, 73, 14 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the white eagle of Poland |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the red field of the national arms |
| Colours | Taken directly from the coat of arms — a white eagle on a red field |
| Order matters | White must always be uppermost; reversed, it is the flag of Indonesia or Monaco |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1831 | The design was first used |
| 1919-08-01 | 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 | 5:8 |
|---|---|
| Width | 5 units (hoist) |
| Length | 8 units (fly) |
Poland 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 Poland
| 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 | 107 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 1, 1919 |
| Oldest Version | 1831 |
| Flag Nickname | Biało-czerwona |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Indonesia, Monaco |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour |
Other horizontal bicolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Poland
- White over red is the exact reverse of Indonesia's and Monaco's flags, and the arrangement follows the heraldic rule that the shield's charge colour goes above its field colour.
- The civil flag is plain; a version with the crowned white eagle in the white band is used by ships and diplomatic missions.
- Polish law sets out how the flag is to be displayed and requires that it be treated with respect, with formal flag day observed on 2 May.
- The flag of Poland was officially adopted on August 1, 1919.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1831, 88 years before it was formally made the flag of Poland.
- The flag in its present form is 107 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour.
- The flag is known as Biało-czerwona, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Poland".
- The official proportions are 5:8. It shares that ratio with 3 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: white and red.
- The white on the flag stands for the white eagle of Poland.
- The red on the flag stands for the red field of the national arms.
- Colours: Taken directly from the coat of arms — a white eagle on a red field.
- Order matters: White must always be uppermost; reversed, it is the flag of Indonesia or Monaco.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour" family, shared with 5 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Indonesia and Monaco.
- Poland became independent on 11 November 1918 from Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia.
- Poland was partitioned out of existence in 1795 and restored as a state at the end of the First World War.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Poland
When was the flag of Poland adopted?
The flag of Poland was officially adopted on August 1, 1919, though the design had already been in use since 1831.
What do the colours of the flag of Poland mean?
White for the white eagle of Poland and red for the red field of the national arms.
When did Poland gain independence?
Poland became independent on 11 November 1918 from Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia. Poland was partitioned out of existence in 1795 and restored as a state at the end of the First World War.
What is the national sport of Poland?
Football is the most played sport, with volleyball and ski jumping the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Poland represent?
Colours — Taken directly from the coat of arms — a white eagle on a red field. Order matters — White must always be uppermost; reversed, it is the flag of Indonesia or Monaco.
What are the proportions of the flag of Poland?
The official ratio is 5:8, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 3 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Poland?
The national anthem is "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego".
When is the national day of Poland?
It falls on 11 November, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Poland?
The national animal is the white-tailed eagle, the white eagle of the coat of arms.
What is the capital of Poland?
The capital is Warsaw. The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN) and the language spoken is Polish.