Flag of El Salvador
countryThe flag of El Salvador was adopted on September 17, 1912. Horizontal triband with the coat of arms. It uses 2 colours: blue and white. The official proportions are 189:335.
Hoist
Ratio 189:335
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Country | El Salvador |
| Official Country Name | Republic of El Salvador |
| Capital | San Salvador |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Central America |
| ISO Country Code | SV / SLV |
| Internet Domain | .sv |
| Calling Code | +503 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Salvadoran |
| Area | 21,041 km² |
| Population | 6.4 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 17, 1912 |
| First Used | 1912 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 17, 1912 |
| Flag Proportion | 189:335 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with the coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of El Salvador |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #0F47AF | 15, 71, 175 | 91, 59, 0, 31 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the sky and the two oceans |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace and solidarity |
| Triangle with five volcanoes | The five states of the Central American federation, between two oceans |
| Rainbow and cap of liberty | Peace and freedom |
| Motto | “Dios, Unión, Libertad” — God, Union, Liberty |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1912 | The design was first used |
| 1912-09-17 | 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 | 189:335 |
|---|---|
| Width | 189 units (hoist) |
| Length | 335 units (fly) |
El Salvador 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 El Salvador
| 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 | 114 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 17, 1912 |
| Oldest Version | 1912 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Botswana |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with the coat of arms |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of El Salvador
- The unusual 189:335 proportion is a conversion of dimensions originally specified in feet and inches, carried into law rather than rounded to a neat ratio.
- El Salvador uses three flags: a civil flag with no emblem, a state flag with the coat of arms, and a third bearing the words Dios Unión Libertad in gold across the white band.
- The five volcanoes in the arms stand for the five states of the Central American federation, and the same device appears on the flag of Nicaragua for the same reason.
- The flag of El Salvador was officially adopted on September 17, 1912.
- The flag in its present form is 114 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with the coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 189:335. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 2 colours: blue and white.
- The blue on the flag stands for the sky and the two oceans.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and solidarity.
- Triangle with five volcanoes: The five states of the Central American federation, between two oceans.
- Rainbow and cap of liberty: Peace and freedom.
- Motto: “Dios, Unión, Libertad” — God, Union, Liberty.
- 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.
- El Salvador became independent on 15 September 1821 from Spain.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national animal is the Torogoz, the turquoise-browed motmot.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of El Salvador
When was the flag of El Salvador adopted?
The flag of El Salvador was officially adopted on September 17, 1912.
What do the colours of the flag of El Salvador mean?
Blue for the sky and the two oceans and white for peace and solidarity.
When did El Salvador gain independence?
El Salvador became independent on 15 September 1821 from Spain.
What is the national sport of El Salvador?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of El Salvador represent?
Triangle with five volcanoes — The five states of the Central American federation, between two oceans. Rainbow and cap of liberty — Peace and freedom. Motto — “Dios, Unión, Libertad” — God, Union, Liberty.
What are the proportions of the flag of El Salvador?
The official ratio is 189:335, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of El Salvador?
The national anthem is "Himno Nacional de El Salvador".
When is the national day of El Salvador?
It falls on 15 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of El Salvador?
The national animal is the Torogoz, the turquoise-browed motmot.
What is the capital of El Salvador?
The capital is San Salvador. The currency is the United States dollar (USD) and the language spoken is Spanish.