Flag of Tuvalu
countryThe flag of Tuvalu was adopted on April 11, 1997. Light blue ensign with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars. It uses 4 colours: light blue, yellow, blue and red. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Tuvalu |
|---|---|
| Country | Tuvalu |
| Official Country Name | Tuvalu |
| Capital | Funafuti |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Polynesia |
| ISO Country Code | TV / TUV |
| Internet Domain | .tv |
| Calling Code | +688 |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD), Tuvaluan dollar (TVD) |
| National Language(s) | English, Tuvaluan |
| Demonym | Tuvaluan |
| Area | 26 km² |
| Population | 0.01 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Tuvalu |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | April 11, 1997 |
| First Used | 1978 |
| Current Version Adopted | April 11, 1997 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Light Blue, Yellow, Blue, Red |
| Design Type | Light blue ensign with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Tuvalu |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | #5B97B1 | 91, 151, 177 | 49, 15, 0, 31 | |
| Yellow | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 | |
| Blue | #012169 | 1, 33, 105 | 99, 69, 0, 59 | |
| Red | #C8102E | 200, 16, 46 | 0, 92, 77, 22 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Light Blue colour | Represents the Pacific Ocean sky |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the nine stars |
| Blue colour | Represents the Union Jack |
| Red colour | Represents the Union Jack |
| Nine stars | The nine islands of Tuvalu, laid out to match their real geographic positions — the flag is read like a map, with east at the top |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | The design was first used |
| 1997-04-11 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu
| 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 | 29 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 11, 1997 |
| Oldest Version | 1978 |
| Most Common Color | Light Blue |
| Similar Flags | Anguilla, Ascension Island, Australia |
| Unique Feature | Light blue ensign with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars |
Other british-style ensign flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Tuvalu
- The nine stars represent the nine islands and are arranged to match their actual geographic positions, with the flag oriented so that east is at the top.
- Tuvalu briefly replaced this flag in 1995 with a design that removed the Union Flag, and restored it in 1997.
- The flag of Tuvalu was officially adopted on April 11, 1997.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1978, 19 years before it was formally made the flag of Tuvalu.
- The flag in its present form is 29 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Light blue ensign with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: light blue, yellow, blue and red.
- The light blue on the flag stands for the Pacific Ocean sky.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the nine stars.
- The blue on the flag stands for the Union Jack.
- Nine stars: The nine islands of Tuvalu, laid out to match their real geographic positions — the flag is read like a map, with east at the top.
- The design belongs to the "British-style ensign" family, shared with 22 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia.
- Tuvalu became independent on 1 October 1978 from the United Kingdom.
- Te ano, a traditional ball game, is the national sport; football is the most popular.
- The national anthem is "Tuvalu mo te Atua".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 October, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Tuvalu
When was the flag of Tuvalu adopted?
The flag of Tuvalu was officially adopted on April 11, 1997, though the design had already been in use since 1978.
What do the colours of the flag of Tuvalu mean?
Light blue for the Pacific Ocean sky, yellow for the nine stars, blue for the Union Jack and red for the Union Jack.
When did Tuvalu gain independence?
Tuvalu became independent on 1 October 1978 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Tuvalu?
Te ano, a traditional ball game, is the national sport; football is the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Tuvalu represent?
Nine stars — The nine islands of Tuvalu, laid out to match their real geographic positions — the flag is read like a map, with east at the top.
What are the proportions of the flag of Tuvalu?
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 Tuvalu?
The national anthem is "Tuvalu mo te Atua".
When is the national day of Tuvalu?
It falls on 1 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Tuvalu?
The capital is Funafuti. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), Tuvaluan dollar (TVD) and the language spoken is English, Tuvaluan.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Tuvalu?
The closest matches are Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.