Flag of Zambia
countryThe flag of Zambia was adopted on February 14, 1996. Green field with three vertical stripes at the fly and an eagle. It uses 4 colours: green, red, black and orange. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Zambia |
|---|---|
| Country | Zambia |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Zambia |
| Capital | Lusaka |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | ZM / ZMB |
| Internet Domain | .zm |
| Calling Code | +260 |
| Currency | Zambian kwacha (ZMW) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Zambian |
| Area | 752,612 km² |
| Population | 21 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Zambia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 14, 1996 |
| First Used | 1964 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 14, 1996 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Green, Red, Black, Orange |
| Design Type | Green field with three vertical stripes at the fly and an eagle |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Zambia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #198A00 | 25, 138, 0 | 82, 0, 100, 46 | |
| Red | #DE2010 | 222, 32, 16 | 0, 86, 93, 13 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Orange | #EF7D00 | 239, 125, 0 | 0, 48, 100, 6 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the natural resources and vegetation |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the struggle for freedom |
| Black colour | Represents the people of Zambia |
| Orange colour | Represents the country’s copper wealth |
| African fish eagle | Freedom, and the ability to rise above the nation’s problems |
| Fly-side stripes | An unusual placement — most national flags carry their emblem at the hoist |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1964 | The design was first used |
| 1996-02-14 | 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) |
Zambia 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 Zambia
| 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 | 30 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 14, 1996 |
| Oldest Version | 1964 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Albania, Bangladesh, Belize |
| Unique Feature | Green field with three vertical stripes at the fly and an eagle |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Zambia
- The African fish eagle sits in the upper fly rather than the centre, and the three vertical bands are pushed to the fly edge, leaving most of the field plain green.
- The asymmetry is deliberate and makes the flag identifiable at a glance even at small sizes.
- The orange band represents the country's copper deposits, which dominate its exports.
- The flag of Zambia was officially adopted on February 14, 1996.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1964, 32 years before it was formally made the flag of Zambia.
- The flag in its present form is 30 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Green field with three vertical stripes at the fly and an eagle.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: green, red, black and orange.
- The green on the flag stands for the natural resources and vegetation.
- The red on the flag stands for the struggle for freedom.
- The black on the flag stands for the people of Zambia.
- African fish eagle: Freedom, and the ability to rise above the nation’s problems.
- Fly-side stripes: An unusual placement — most national flags carry their emblem at the hoist.
- 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: Albania, Bangladesh and Belize.
- Zambia became independent on 24 October 1964 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Zambia
When was the flag of Zambia adopted?
The flag of Zambia was officially adopted on February 14, 1996, though the design had already been in use since 1964.
What do the colours of the flag of Zambia mean?
Green for the natural resources and vegetation, red for the struggle for freedom, black for the people of Zambia and orange for the country’s copper wealth.
When did Zambia gain independence?
Zambia became independent on 24 October 1964 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Zambia?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Zambia represent?
African fish eagle — Freedom, and the ability to rise above the nation’s problems. Fly-side stripes — An unusual placement — most national flags carry their emblem at the hoist.
What are the proportions of the flag of Zambia?
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 Zambia?
The national anthem is "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free".
When is the national day of Zambia?
It falls on 24 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Zambia?
The national animal is the African fish eagle, which appears on the flag itself.
What is the capital of Zambia?
The capital is Lusaka. The currency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW) and the language spoken is English.