Flag of Tonga
countryThe flag of Tonga was adopted on November 4, 1875. Red field with a white canton bearing a red couped cross. It uses 2 colours: red and white. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Tonga |
|---|---|
| Country | Tonga |
| Official Country Name | Kingdom of Tonga |
| Capital | Nuku'alofa |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Polynesia |
| ISO Country Code | TO / TON |
| Internet Domain | .to |
| Calling Code | +676 |
| Currency | Tongan paʻanga (TOP) |
| National Language(s) | English, Tongan |
| Demonym | Tongan |
| Area | 747 km² |
| Population | 0.10 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Tonga |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | November 4, 1875 |
| First Used | 1864 |
| Current Version Adopted | November 4, 1875 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Red, White |
| Design Type | Red field with a white canton bearing a red couped cross |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Tonga |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #C10000 | 193, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 24 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the blood of Christ shed at the crucifixion |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents purity and the canton |
| Red cross | The Christian faith, which the constitution requires the flag never to change |
| Design | The original design was almost entirely a white flag with a red cross, changed when it proved too like the Red Cross emblem |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1864 | The design was first used |
| 1875-11-04 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Tonga 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 Tonga
| 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 | 151 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | November 4, 1875 |
| Oldest Version | 1864 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Samoa, Taiwan, Wallis and Futuna |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a white canton bearing a red couped cross |
Other field with an emblem in the canton flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Tonga
- Tonga's constitution states that the flag may never be altered, which makes it one of very few flags with constitutional protection against redesign.
- The original design was a plain white flag with a red cross; it was changed when it was realised the design was identical to the Red Cross emblem.
- The flag of Tonga was officially adopted on November 4, 1875.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1864, 11 years before it was formally made the flag of Tonga.
- The flag in its present form is 151 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a white canton bearing a red couped cross.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: red and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood of Christ shed at the crucifixion.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and the canton.
- Red cross: The Christian faith, which the constitution requires the flag never to change.
- Design: The original design was almost entirely a white flag with a red cross, changed when it proved too like the Red Cross emblem.
- The design belongs to the "Field with an emblem in the canton" family, shared with 4 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Samoa, Taiwan and Wallis and Futuna.
- Tonga became independent on 4 June 1970 from the United Kingdom.
- Tonga was a British protected state rather than a colony and is the only Pacific nation never to have lost its indigenous governance.
- Rugby union is the national sport.
- The national anthem is "Ko e fasi 'o e tu'i 'o e 'Otu Tonga".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Tonga
When was the flag of Tonga adopted?
The flag of Tonga was officially adopted on November 4, 1875, though the design had already been in use since 1864.
What do the colours of the flag of Tonga mean?
Red for the blood of Christ shed at the crucifixion and white for purity and the canton.
When did Tonga gain independence?
Tonga became independent on 4 June 1970 from the United Kingdom. Tonga was a British protected state rather than a colony and is the only Pacific nation never to have lost its indigenous governance.
What is the national sport of Tonga?
Rugby union is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Tonga represent?
Red cross — The Christian faith, which the constitution requires the flag never to change. Design — The original design was almost entirely a white flag with a red cross, changed when it proved too like the Red Cross emblem.
What are the proportions of the flag of Tonga?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Tonga?
The national anthem is "Ko e fasi 'o e tu'i 'o e 'Otu Tonga".
When is the national day of Tonga?
It falls on 4 June, Emancipation Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Tonga?
The capital is Nuku'alofa. The currency is the Tongan paʻanga (TOP) and the language spoken is English, Tongan.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Tonga?
The closest matches are Samoa, Taiwan and Wallis and Futuna, which share both the construction and most of the colours.