Flag of Sierra Leone
countryThe flag of Sierra Leone was adopted on April 27, 1961. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: green, white and blue. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Sierra Leone |
| Capital | Freetown |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | SL / SLE |
| Internet Domain | .sl |
| Calling Code | +232 |
| Currency | Sierra Leonean leone (SLE) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Sierra Leonean |
| Area | 71,740 km² |
| Population | 8.9 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | April 27, 1961 |
| First Used | 1961 |
| Current Version Adopted | April 27, 1961 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, White, Blue |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Sierra Leone |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #1EB53A | 30, 181, 58 | 83, 0, 68, 29 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #0072C6 | 0, 114, 198 | 100, 42, 0, 22 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents agriculture, the mountains and natural resources |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents unity and justice |
| Blue colour | Represents the natural harbour of Freetown and the hope of contributing to world peace |
| Blue band | Freetown harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1961 | The design was first used |
| 1961-04-27 | 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) |
Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone
| 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 | 65 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 27, 1961 |
| Oldest Version | 1961 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Botswana |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Sierra Leone
- The green, white and blue avoid the Pan-African palette entirely; blue specifically represents the natural harbour at Freetown, one of the largest in the world.
- The flag has been unchanged since independence in 1961.
- The flag of Sierra Leone was officially adopted on April 27, 1961.
- The flag in its present form is 65 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, white and blue.
- The green on the flag stands for agriculture, the mountains and natural resources.
- The white on the flag stands for unity and justice.
- The blue on the flag stands for the natural harbour of Freetown and the hope of contributing to world peace.
- Blue band: Freetown harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and Botswana.
- Sierra Leone became independent on 27 April 1961 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the national sport.
- The national anthem is "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 27 April, Independence Day.
- The capital is Freetown. The currency is the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Sierra Leone
When was the flag of Sierra Leone adopted?
The flag of Sierra Leone was officially adopted on April 27, 1961.
What do the colours of the flag of Sierra Leone mean?
Green for agriculture, the mountains and natural resources, white for unity and justice and blue for the natural harbour of Freetown and the hope of contributing to world peace.
When did Sierra Leone gain independence?
Sierra Leone became independent on 27 April 1961 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Sierra Leone?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Sierra Leone represent?
Blue band — Freetown harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
What are the proportions of the flag of Sierra Leone?
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 Sierra Leone?
The national anthem is "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free".
When is the national day of Sierra Leone?
It falls on 27 April, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Sierra Leone?
The capital is Freetown. The currency is the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE) and the language spoken is English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Sierra Leone?
The closest matches are Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and Botswana, which share both the construction and most of the colours.