Flag of Canada
North America, Central America and the Caribbean · CA · Vector source, 4:3 aspect ratio
- RegionNorth America, Central America and the Caribbean
- ISO codeCA
- Source formatSVG (infinitely scalable)
- Available downloadsSVG · PNG · JPG · WEBP · ICO · PDF
Download the flag of Canada as SVG, PNG, JPG, WEBP, ICO or PDF in any resolution you need.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Canada |
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| Country | Canada |
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| Official Name | Canada |
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| Capital | Ottawa |
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| Continent | Americas |
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| Region | North America |
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| ISO Code | CA / CAN |
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| Internet Domain | .ca |
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| Calling Code | +1 (multiple: 204, 226, 236, 249…) |
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| Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD) |
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| Official Language(s) | English, French |
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| Demonym | Canadian |
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| Area | 9,984,670 km² |
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| Population | 37,057,765 (approx.) |
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| Coastline | Has a sea coast |
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| United Nations Member | Yes |
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Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Canada |
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| Current Version Adopted | 15 February 1965 |
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| Design First Used | 1965 |
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| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
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| Flag Shape | Rectangular |
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| Number of Colours | 2 |
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| Main Colours | Red, White |
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| Designer | George F. G. Stanley, refined by John Matheson |
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| Design Type | Canadian pale with a central maple leaf |
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| Nickname | The Maple Leaf |
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| Official Status | Official national flag |
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| Governing Authority | Government of Canada |
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Flag Colour Information
| Colour | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK | Pantone |
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| Red | | #D80621 | 216, 6, 33 | 0, 97, 85, 15 | No official Pantone reference |
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| White | | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | No official Pantone reference |
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Flag Design and Symbolism
| Eleven-pointed maple leaf | The number of points was chosen purely for legibility in a strong wind, not for the provinces |
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| Red | Stands for England, and the sacrifice of Canadians in the two world wars. |
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| White | Stands for France, and the snow of the Canadian winter. |
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Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
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| 1964 | The Great Flag Debate divides Parliament for months |
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| 15 February 1965 | The Maple Leaf is raised for the first time on Parliament Hill |
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| 1996 | 15 February is named National Flag of Canada Day |
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| Present | The flag remains in official use |
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Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio (height : width) | 1:2 |
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| Hoist (height) | 1 units |
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| Fly (width) | 2 units |
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| Layout | Canadian pale with a central maple leaf |
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| Band / Stripe Construction | The white square is twice the width of each red band, a Canadian pale |
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| Construction Sheet Available | Yes |
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| Governing Specification | Proclamation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1965 |
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How the Flag of Canada Is Used
| Setting | Flown | Notes |
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| Government buildings | Yes | Flown on official premises |
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| Schools and public institutions | Yes | Common in daily and ceremonial use |
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| Private and civil use | Yes | May be flown by members of the public |
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| Public holidays and commemorations | Yes | Displayed on national days of remembrance |
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| Armed forces | Yes | Carried by the military as a war flag or colour |
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| Naval ensign | Yes | Flown by naval and merchant vessels |
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| Embassies and consulates | Yes | Flown at diplomatic missions abroad |
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| International sport | Yes | Used at the Olympic Games and world championships |
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| United Nations building | Yes | Flown in the row of member states |
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Other Official Flags of Canada
| Flag Type | Purpose | In Use |
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| National flag | The primary flag shown on this page | Yes |
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| Civil flag | Flown by private citizens and organisations | Yes |
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| War flag | Carried by the armed forces on land | Yes |
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| Naval ensign | Flown at sea by naval and merchant vessels | Yes |
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| Air force ensign | Used by the air force | Yes |
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| Presidential standard | Marks the presence of the head of state | No |
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| Royal standard | Marks the presence of the monarch | No |
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| Historical flags | Earlier designs no longer in official use | Yes |
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Quick Facts About the Flag
| Years in Use (current design) | 61 years |
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| Adoption Date | 15 February 1965 |
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| Earliest Recorded Use | 1965 |
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| Designer | George F. G. Stanley, refined by John Matheson |
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| Nickname | The Maple Leaf |
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| Dominant Colour | Red |
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| Flags It Resembles | Peru and Austria share the triband layout in other colours |
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| Notable Feature | Canadian pale with a central maple leaf |
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