Flag of United States of America
countryThe flag of United States of America was adopted on July 4, 1960 to a design by Robert G. Heft (50-star arrangement). Thirteen stripes with a fifty-star canton. It uses 3 colours: old glory red, white and old glory blue. The official proportions are 10:19.
Hoist
Ratio 10:19
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of United States of America |
|---|---|
| Country | United States of America |
| Official Country Name | United States of America |
| Capital | Washington D.C. |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | North America |
| ISO Country Code | US / USA |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 (multiple: 201, 202, 203, 205…) |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | American |
| Area | 9,372,610 km² |
| Population | 342 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of United States of America |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 4, 1960 |
| First Used | June 14, 1777 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 4, 1960 |
| Flag Proportion | 10:19 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Old Glory Red, White, Old Glory Blue |
| Designer | Robert G. Heft (50-star arrangement) |
| Design Type | Thirteen stripes with a fifty-star canton |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of United States of America |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Glory Red | #B31942 | 179, 25, 66 | 0, 86, 63, 30 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Old Glory Blue | #0A3161 | 10, 49, 97 | 90, 49, 0, 62 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Old Glory Red colour | Represents valour and hardiness |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents purity and innocence |
| Old Glory Blue colour | Represents vigilance, perseverance and justice |
| Fifty stars | The fifty states of the Union |
| Thirteen stripes | The thirteen original colonies |
| Design origin | The 50-star arrangement was a school project that earned its author a B−, later raised to an A |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1777-06-14 | The design was first used |
| 1960-07-04 | 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 | 10:19 |
|---|---|
| Width | 10 units (hoist) |
| Length | 19 units (fly) |
United States of America 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 United States of America
| 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 | 66 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 4, 1960 |
| Oldest Version | June 14, 1777 |
| Flag Nickname | Old Glory / The Stars and Stripes |
| Designer | Robert G. Heft (50-star arrangement) |
| Most Common Color | Old Glory Red |
| Similar Flags | Georgia, Greece, Hawaii |
| Unique Feature | Thirteen stripes with a fifty-star canton |
Other stripes with a canton flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of United States of America
- The flag has been redesigned twenty-seven times, more than any other national flag, because a star is added for each new state. The stripes were fixed at thirteen in 1818 after a brief period with fifteen.
- The current fifty-star arrangement was designed by a seventeen-year-old for a school project and initially graded B minus. His teacher raised it to an A after Congress adopted the design.
- Executive Order 10834 of 1959 specifies the flag as a set of ratios rather than a picture, defining star diameter, stripe width and canton size relative to the hoist.
- The Flag Code sets out how the flag should be displayed, folded and retired, but carries no penalties: the Supreme Court has held that flag desecration is protected speech.
- The flag of United States of America was officially adopted on July 4, 1960. It was designed by Robert G. Heft (50-star arrangement).
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1777, 183 years before it was formally made the flag of United States of America.
- The flag in its present form is 66 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Thirteen stripes with a fifty-star canton.
- The flag is known as Old Glory / The Stars and Stripes, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of United States of America".
- The official proportions are 10:19. It shares that ratio with 3 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: Old Glory Red, white and Old Glory Blue.
- The Old Glory Red on the flag stands for valour and hardiness.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and innocence.
- The Old Glory Blue on the flag stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
- Fifty stars: The fifty states of the Union.
- Thirteen stripes: The thirteen original colonies.
- Design origin: The 50-star arrangement was a school project that earned its author a B−, later raised to an A.
- The design belongs to the "Stripes with a canton" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of United States of America
When was the flag of United States of America adopted?
The flag of United States of America was officially adopted on July 4, 1960, though the design had already been in use since 1777.
What do the colours of the flag of United States of America mean?
Old Glory Red for valour and hardiness, white for purity and innocence and Old Glory Blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
When did United States of America gain independence?
United States of America became independent on 4 July 1776 from Great Britain. Independence was declared in 1776 and recognised by Britain in the Treaty of Paris of 1783.
What is the national sport of United States of America?
Baseball is traditionally called the national pastime, though American football now draws the largest audience.
What do the symbols on the flag of United States of America represent?
Fifty stars — The fifty states of the Union. Thirteen stripes — The thirteen original colonies. Design origin — The 50-star arrangement was a school project that earned its author a B−, later raised to an A.
Who designed the flag of United States of America?
The flag was designed by Robert G. Heft (50-star arrangement).
What are the proportions of the flag of United States of America?
The official ratio is 10:19, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 3 national flags.
What is the national anthem of United States of America?
The national anthem is "The Star-Spangled Banner".
When is the national day of United States of America?
It falls on 4 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of United States of America?
The national animal is the bald eagle, with the American bison as national mammal.