Flag of Russia
countryThe flag of Russia was adopted on December 11, 1993. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: white, blue and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Russia |
|---|---|
| Country | Russia |
| Official Country Name | Russian Federation |
| Capital | Moscow |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Eastern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | RU / RUS |
| Internet Domain | .ru, .su, .рф |
| Calling Code | +7 (multiple: 3, 4, 5, 8…) |
| Currency | Russian ruble (RUB) |
| National Language(s) | Russian |
| Demonym | Russian |
| Area | 17,098,242 km² |
| Population | 144 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Russia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | December 11, 1993 |
| First Used | 1696 |
| Current Version Adopted | December 11, 1993 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue, Red |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Russia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #0039A6 | 0, 57, 166 | 100, 66, 0, 35 | |
| Red | #D52B1E | 213, 43, 30 | 0, 80, 86, 16 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents nobility and frankness |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents faithfulness, honesty and chastity |
| Red colour | Represents courage, generosity and love |
| Origin | Introduced by Peter the Great after seeing the Dutch flag — the model for the Pan-Slavic colours used across eastern Europe |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1696 | The design was first used |
| 1993-12-11 | 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) |
Russia 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 Russia
| 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 | 33 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | December 11, 1993 |
| Oldest Version | 1696 |
| Flag Nickname | The Russian Tricolour |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Russia
- The white, blue and red tricolour was adopted by Peter the Great from the Dutch flag in the 1690s and became the model for the Pan-Slavic colours used across central and eastern Europe.
- It was replaced by the Soviet red flag in 1918 and restored in 1991, with the proportions fixed at 2:3 in 1993.
- The flag of Russia was officially adopted on December 11, 1993.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1696, 297 years before it was formally made the flag of Russia.
- The flag in its present form is 33 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The flag is known as The Russian Tricolour, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Russia".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, blue and red.
- The white on the flag stands for nobility and frankness.
- The blue on the flag stands for faithfulness, honesty and chastity.
- The red on the flag stands for courage, generosity and love.
- Origin: Introduced by Peter the Great after seeing the Dutch flag — the model for the Pan-Slavic colours used across eastern Europe.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Armenia, Austria and Azerbaijan.
- Russia became independent on 12 June 1990 from the Soviet Union.
- Russia declared sovereignty on 12 June 1990 and became fully independent when the Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991.
- Ice hockey and football are the most popular sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Russia
When was the flag of Russia adopted?
The flag of Russia was officially adopted on December 11, 1993, though the design had already been in use since 1696.
What do the colours of the flag of Russia mean?
White for nobility and frankness, blue for faithfulness, honesty and chastity and red for courage, generosity and love.
When did Russia gain independence?
Russia became independent on 12 June 1990 from the Soviet Union. Russia declared sovereignty on 12 June 1990 and became fully independent when the Soviet Union dissolved in December 1991.
What is the national sport of Russia?
Ice hockey and football are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Russia represent?
Origin — Introduced by Peter the Great after seeing the Dutch flag — the model for the Pan-Slavic colours used across eastern Europe.
What are the proportions of the flag of Russia?
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 Russia?
The national anthem is "State Anthem of the Russian Federation".
When is the national day of Russia?
It falls on 12 June, Russia Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Russia?
The national animal is the brown bear, with the double-headed eagle as the state emblem.
What is the capital of Russia?
The capital is Moscow. The currency is the Russian ruble (RUB) and the language spoken is Russian.