Flag of Uruguay
countryThe flag of Uruguay was adopted on July 11, 1830. Nine stripes with a white canton bearing the Sun of May. It uses 3 colours: white, blue and gold. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Uruguay |
|---|---|
| Country | Uruguay |
| Official Country Name | Oriental Republic of Uruguay |
| Capital | Montevideo |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | South America |
| ISO Country Code | UY / URY |
| Internet Domain | .uy |
| Calling Code | +598 |
| Currency | Uruguayan peso (UYU) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Uruguayan |
| Area | 181,034 km² |
| Population | 3.4 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Uruguay |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 11, 1830 |
| First Used | 1828 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 11, 1830 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue, Gold |
| Design Type | Nine stripes with a white canton bearing the Sun of May |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Uruguay |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #0038A8 | 0, 56, 168 | 100, 67, 0, 34 | |
| Gold | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the stripes and canton |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the stripes |
| Gold colour | Represents the Sun of May |
| Nine stripes | The nine original departments of the country |
| Sun of May | Inti, the Inca sun god, with a human face and sixteen rays — shared with Argentina |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1828 | The design was first used |
| 1830-07-11 | 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 | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Uruguay 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 Uruguay
| 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 | 196 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 11, 1830 |
| Oldest Version | 1828 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Georgia, Greece, Hawaii |
| Unique Feature | Nine stripes with a white canton bearing the Sun of May |
Other stripes with a canton flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Uruguay
- The nine stripes represent the nine original departments of the country, and the design is openly modelled on the flag of the United States.
- The Sun of May in the canton is the same emblem that appears on the Argentine flag, reflecting the shared history of the Río de la Plata region.
- The number of stripes was reduced from seventeen to nine in 1830, making it one of very few flags to have lost elements rather than gained them.
- The flag of Uruguay was officially adopted on July 11, 1830.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1828, 2 years before it was formally made the flag of Uruguay.
- The flag in its present form is 196 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Nine stripes with a white canton bearing the Sun of May.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, blue and gold.
- The white on the flag stands for the stripes and canton.
- The blue on the flag stands for the stripes.
- The gold on the flag stands for the Sun of May.
- Nine stripes: The nine original departments of the country.
- Sun of May: Inti, the Inca sun god, with a human face and sixteen rays — shared with Argentina.
- The design belongs to the "Stripes with a canton" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Georgia, Greece and Hawaii.
- Uruguay became independent on 25 August 1825 from Brazil.
- Uruguay declared independence from Brazil in 1825 and was recognised as a sovereign state in 1828.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Uruguay
When was the flag of Uruguay adopted?
The flag of Uruguay was officially adopted on July 11, 1830, though the design had already been in use since 1828.
What do the colours of the flag of Uruguay mean?
White for the stripes and canton, blue for the stripes and gold for the Sun of May.
When did Uruguay gain independence?
Uruguay became independent on 25 August 1825 from Brazil. Uruguay declared independence from Brazil in 1825 and was recognised as a sovereign state in 1828.
What is the national sport of Uruguay?
Football is the national sport; Uruguay hosted and won the first World Cup in 1930.
What do the symbols on the flag of Uruguay represent?
Nine stripes — The nine original departments of the country. Sun of May — Inti, the Inca sun god, with a human face and sixteen rays — shared with Argentina.
What are the proportions of the flag of Uruguay?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Uruguay?
The national anthem is "Himno Nacional de Uruguay".
When is the national day of Uruguay?
It falls on 25 August, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Uruguay?
The national animal is the rhea.
What is the capital of Uruguay?
The capital is Montevideo. The currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU) and the language spoken is Spanish.