Flag of South Dakota
stateThe flag of South Dakota was adopted on July 1, 1992. Sky blue field with the state seal in a ring of sun rays. It uses 2 colours: sky blue and gold. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Country | South Dakota |
| Official Country Name | State of South Dakota |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | United States |
| ISO Country Code | US-SD |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 1, 1992 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 1, 1992 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Sky Blue, Gold |
| Design Type | Sky blue field with the state seal in a ring of sun rays |
| Official Status | Official State Flag |
| Government Authority | State Government of South Dakota |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Blue | #3A7DBE | 58, 125, 190 | 69, 34, 0, 25 | |
| Gold | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Sky Blue colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Gold colour | Represents the sun rays and lettering |
| Blazing sun | The state’s nickname, The Mount Rushmore State, encircling the seal |
| Seal scene | A farmer, a steamboat, a smelting furnace and cattle — farming, transport, mining and ranching |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1992-07-01 | 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 | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
South Dakota Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of South Dakota
| 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 | 34 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 1, 1992 |
| Most Common Color | Sky Blue |
| Similar Flags | Alaska, Aruba, Brazil |
| Unique Feature | Sky blue field with the state seal in a ring of sun rays |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of South Dakota
- The sun's rays surround a seal showing a farmer, a steamboat, a smelting furnace and cattle — an inventory of the state's economy at the time of statehood.
- The wording around the seal was changed in 1992 from The Sunshine State to The Mount Rushmore State.
- The flag of South Dakota was officially adopted on July 1, 1992.
- The flag in its present form is 34 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Sky blue field with the state seal in a ring of sun rays.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 20 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: sky blue and gold.
- The sky blue on the flag stands for the field.
- The gold on the flag stands for the sun rays and lettering.
- Blazing sun: The state’s nickname, The Mount Rushmore State, encircling the seal.
- Seal scene: A farmer, a steamboat, a smelting furnace and cattle — farming, transport, mining and ranching.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Alaska, Aruba and Brazil.
- South Dakota joined the Union on 2 November 1889, as the 40th state.
- Rodeo is the official state sport.
- The state is nicknamed The Mount Rushmore State.
- The state bird is the ring-necked pheasant.
- The state flower is the pasque flower.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of South Dakota
When was the flag of South Dakota adopted?
The flag of South Dakota was officially adopted on July 1, 1992.
What do the colours of the flag of South Dakota mean?
Sky blue for the field and gold for the sun rays and lettering.
When did South Dakota become a state?
South Dakota entered the Union on 2 November 1889, as the 40th state.
What is the state sport of South Dakota?
Rodeo is the official state sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of South Dakota represent?
Blazing sun — The state’s nickname, The Mount Rushmore State, encircling the seal. Seal scene — A farmer, a steamboat, a smelting furnace and cattle — farming, transport, mining and ranching.
What are the proportions of the flag of South Dakota?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 20 national flags.
What are the state symbols of South Dakota?
The state bird is the ring-necked pheasant, the state flower is the pasque flower and the motto is "Under God the people rule".
Which flags look similar to the flag of South Dakota?
The closest matches are Alaska, Aruba and Brazil, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of South Dakota?
It uses 2 colours: sky blue and gold.
Can I download the flag of South Dakota for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of South Dakota in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.