Flag proportions in Europe: which one to use, and why the host decides

Order two flags of the same height and they may still not match. One can come out square, another twice as long as it is tall. The reason is the proportion: the ratio between a flag's height and its width. Every country fixes its own, and when flags fly together the choice follows a simple courtesy.

Italiana Bandiere · 29 September 2026 · 4 min read

What the numbers mean

The proportion is written height first. A 2:3 flag is two units tall and three wide: 100x150cm, for example. A 1:2 flag is twice as wide as it is tall: 100x200cm. A 1:1 flag is square.

So a 100cm-tall flag can be 150cm, 167cm or 200cm wide, depending on the country.

The proportions of Europe

Each country sets its proportion in its own law or custom. Here is where Europe stands, height to width.

Country	Proportion	Good to know
Albania	5:7
Andorra	7:10	The plain civil flag is often made in 2:3
Austria	2:3	Fixed by law for the state flag only
Belarus	1:2
Belgium	13:15	Almost square on paper, but most Belgian flags, government ones included, are 2:3
Bosnia and Herzegovina	1:2
Bulgaria	3:5
Croatia	1:2
Cyprus	2:3
Czech Republic	2:3
Denmark	28:37
Estonia	7:11
Finland	11:18
France	2:3
Germany	3:5
Greece	2:3
Hungary	1:2	Set for government buildings; 2:3 is common too
Iceland	18:25
Ireland	1:2
Italy	2:3
Kosovo	5:7
Latvia	1:2
Liechtenstein	3:5
Lithuania	3:5
Luxembourg	1:2 or 3:5	Both are legal; 3:5 is the usual one
Malta	2:3
Moldova	1:2
Monaco	4:5	Usually flown in 2:3
Montenegro	1:2
Netherlands	2:3	By custom: no law fixes it
North Macedonia	1:2
Norway	8:11
Poland	5:8
Portugal	2:3
Romania	2:3
San Marino	3:4	2:3 is allowed for international use
Serbia	2:3
Slovakia	2:3
Slovenia	1:2
Spain	2:3
Sweden	5:8
Switzerland	1:1	Square on land; 2:3 at sea
Ukraine	2:3
United Kingdom	3:5 or 1:2	No law fixes it: 3:5 is usual on land, 1:2 at sea
Vatican City	1:1
European Union	2:3

2:3 is the most common, followed by 1:2. The rest is a colourful collection of exceptions.

The etiquette: the guest follows the host

When flags fly side by side, they should look like equals: poles of the same height, flags of the same size. Different proportions break that. On the same pole, a 1:2 flag looks longer than its 2:3 neighbour, and a square one looks smaller.

The way to keep them equal is to follow the host. The flags of the guests take the proportion of the host country's flag. In Italy every flag in the row is 2:3, so an Irish or a Slovenian flag flown next to the Tricolore is made in 2:3, not in its official 1:2. In Slovenia it works the other way round: the Italian flag flown next to the Slovenian one is 1:2.

The Italian 2:3 flag next to the Irish 1:2 flag on poles of the same height, then both in 2:3 when flown together in Italy — On the same pole, the official 1:2 of Ireland looks longer than the Italian 2:3. Flown together in Italy, both are 2:3.

A flag flying alone in its own country simply keeps its official proportion.

What the institutions do

No law spells out the host rule for national flags. It is the practice of the trade, and it follows from rules that do exist:

Same size. The United States Flag Code asks that the flags of two or more nations be "of approximately equal size". A German federal decree of 2005 says that flags set on one building should be the same size.
One proportion for the whole row. At the United Nations in New York, the member flags were all made the same size and in 2:3, as the UN Chronicle described in 1992. At the London 2012 Olympics every national flag was made in 2:3, including Switzerland's.
The host sets it. The UN wrote this principle into the rules for its own flag, which may take "the same proportions as the national flag of any country in which the United Nations Flag is flown". In Britain, the Flag Institute recommends 3:5, the British proportion on land, when all the flags in a display must share one shape.

Choosing with us

We make flags in 2:3 and in 1:2. On every product page, the line Sizes for proportion shows the proportion in use, and Change opens the other one. 3:5 is not available yet.

For the short version, see our Help article What is the «proportion», and which one is right for my flag?. To see where the flags go on a public building, read How to display the Italian flag correctly.

Looking for a flag? Browse our European flags.

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Dimensions

Material

Printing

Finishing

Dimensions {width} x {height} cm (width x height). {proportion_description}

The print is {width} x {height} cm (width x height); the flag is {total_height} cm tall when mounted on the pole.

{material_description}

{printing_description}

{finishing_description}

Nautical Polyester

Our standard outdoor flag fabric, and the one most customers choose. 100% polyester, 115 g/m², tightly knitted with no mesh holes, so colours stay bright and the flag dries quickly after rain. Resistant to sunlight, suitable indoors and outdoors. Machine washable at 30°C.

Long Life

A heavier fabric for flags that fly all year. 100% polyester, 120 g/m², knitted with a denser, knotted weave that holds its shape and resists tearing at the hoist. Resistant to wind and sunlight — the choice when Nautical Polyester does not last long enough. Machine washable at 30°C.

Storm Flag

Our most wind-resistant fabric, for exposed places. 100% polyester, 115 g/m², woven so it cannot run or fray, with reinforced holes that let gusts through instead of pulling at the seams. Resistant to wind and sunlight. Machine washable at 30°C.

Satin

A glossy, silky fabric for indoor and ceremonial flags. 100% polyester, 125 g/m², opaque, so the design shows through to the back only faintly — a double-sided satin flag is sewn from two panels with a lining between them. For room flags, table flags and presentation. Machine washable at 30°C.

Display

A heavy fabric for decoration and banners, not for flying. 100% polyester, 220 g/m², thick and opaque, so the print is visible on the front only. Resistant to sunlight, for indoor and outdoor decoration. Machine washable at 30°C.

Black sleeve, left

The flag is cut clean and a black 100% polyester sleeve is sewn along the left side, for the pole to slide into. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

Black sleeve, right

The flag is cut clean and a black 100% polyester sleeve is sewn along the right side, for the pole to slide into. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

Printed sleeve, right

The sleeve along the right side is cut from the printed flag itself, so the design carries on over it. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

Printed sleeve, left

The sleeve along the left side is cut from the printed flag itself, so the design carries on over it. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

Sleeve 25mm, closed

A sleeve sewn along the hoist side for a 25 mm stick, closed at the top and open at the bottom, so the flag rests on the stick.

White sleeve, left

The flag is cut clean and a white 100% polyester sleeve is sewn along the left side, for the pole to slide into. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

White sleeve, right

The flag is cut clean and a white 100% polyester sleeve is sewn along the right side, for the pole to slide into. The open edge is machine-hemmed.

Sleeve 10mm, closed

A sleeve sewn along the hoist side for a 10 mm stick, closed at the top and open at the bottom, so the flag rests on the stick.

Sleeve 6mm, closed

A sleeve sewn along the hoist side for a 6 mm stick, closed at the top and open at the bottom, so the flag rests on the stick.

Sleeve 6mm, open

A sleeve sewn along the hoist side for a 6 mm stick, open at the top and at the bottom, so the stick slides through.

Strings

Two double ribbons are sewn into the hem along the hoist side, for tying the flag to a pole or a line.

Eyelets

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

{count} eyelet

{count} eyelets

5cm top sleeve + eyelets

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

8cm top sleeve + eyelets

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

{count} carabiner

{count} carabiners

D rings

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. Two D-rings in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are sewn into the top and bottom left corners, one facing up and one facing down. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

{count} D ring

{count} D rings

5cm top sleeve + D rings

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more D-ring is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

8cm top sleeve + D rings

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more D-ring is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

Carabiners

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. Two carabiners in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are sewn into the top and bottom left corners, one facing up and one facing down. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

5cm top sleeve + carabiners

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more carabiner is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

8cm top sleeve + carabiners

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more carabiner is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges carry a double hem with two rows of stitching. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. Two D-rings in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are sewn into the top and bottom left corners, one facing up and one facing down. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. Two carabiners in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are sewn into the top and bottom left corners, one facing up and one facing down. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more D-ring is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more carabiner is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 5 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more D-ring is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it every 50 cm. One more carabiner is sewn into the bottom left corner for the ballast. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

A 8 cm sleeve runs along the top edge for the banner bar, open at both ends. Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. {eyelet_height} in rustproof metal are set into it every 50 cm. The other edges are cut clean, with no seam, which is what makes them last in the wind. Every seam is sewn with high-tenacity polyester thread.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. Two rustproof metal eyelets are set into it, one at the top corner and one at the bottom, ready for rope, carabiners or a pole with hooks.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. Two D-rings in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it, one at the top corner and one at the bottom, for clipping the flag onto a pole or a line.

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. Two carabiners in corrosion-resistant synthetic material are set into it, one at the top corner and one at the bottom, so the flag can be hooked on and off in seconds.

Loop and rope

Along the hoist side, a 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching. A 6 mm rope forms a loop at the top corner and hangs free for about 40 cm at the bottom, ready to tie to a pole.

Handy flags, pack of 10

A sleeve sewn along the hoist side for a 6 mm stick, open at both ends, with the 40 cm stick already fitted. The other three sides are hot cut, so they cannot fray. Supplied in packs of ten.

Bunting with 30 flags

Thirty flags, hot cut on every side, sewn onto a ribbon every 13 cm. The line is 10 m long, with a further metre of free ribbon at each end for tying it up.

Banner

A 40 mm polyester band is folded double and sewn with two rows of stitching along all four sides. Rustproof metal eyelets are set into every corner and every 100 cm between them.

1:1

Standard ratio between height and width: 1:1.

1:3

Standard ratio between height and width: 1:3.

1:4

Standard ratio between height and width: 1:4.

1:5

Standard ratio between height and width: 1:5.

1:2

Standard ratio between height and width: 1:2.

2:3

Standard ratio between height and width: 2:3.

3:4

Standard ratio between height and width: 3:4.

4:5

Standard ratio between height and width: 4:5.

5:7

Standard ratio between height and width: 5:7.

5:8

Standard ratio between height and width: 5:8.