Flag of Switzerland
Western Europe · CH · Vector source, 4:3 aspect ratio
- RegionWestern Europe
- ISO codeCH
- Source formatSVG (infinitely scalable)
- Available downloadsSVG · PNG · JPG · WEBP · ICO · PDF
Download the flag of Switzerland as SVG, PNG, JPG, WEBP, ICO or PDF in any resolution you need.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Switzerland |
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| Country | Switzerland |
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| Official Name | Swiss Confederation |
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| Capital | Bern |
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| Continent | Europe |
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| Region | Western Europe |
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| ISO Code | CH / CHE |
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| Internet Domain | .ch |
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| Calling Code | +41 |
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| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
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| Official Language(s) | French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German |
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| Demonym | Swiss |
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| Area | 41,284 km² |
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| Population | 8,513,227 (approx.) |
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| Coastline | Landlocked — no sea coast |
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| United Nations Member | Yes |
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Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Switzerland |
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| Current Version Adopted | 12 December 1889 |
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| Design First Used | 1339 |
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| Flag Proportion | 1:1 |
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| Flag Shape | Square |
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| Number of Colours | 2 |
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| Main Colours | Red, White |
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| Designer | Traditional, from the banner of the Old Swiss Confederacy |
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| Design Type | Square field with a bold white cross |
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| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
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| Official Status | Official national flag |
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| Governing Authority | Government of Switzerland |
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Flag Colour Information
| Colour | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK | Pantone |
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| Red | | #FF0000 | 255, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 0 | 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
| Greek cross | The arms are one sixth longer than they are wide, and stop short of the edges |
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| Red | Stands for the field of the old Confederate battle banner. |
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| White | Stands for the Christian cross and Swiss neutrality. |
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Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
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| 1339 | The white cross is worn at the Battle of Laupen |
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| 1848 | Adopted by the new federal state |
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| 12 December 1889 | The exact proportions of the cross are fixed |
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| 2017 | The shade of red is standardised |
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| Present | The flag remains in official use |
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Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio (height : width) | 1:1 |
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| Hoist (height) | 1 units |
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| Fly (width) | 1 units |
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| Layout | Square field with a bold white cross |
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| Band / Stripe Construction | The cross arms are one sixth longer than wide, set clear of the border |
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| Construction Sheet Available | Yes |
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| Governing Specification | Federal Act on the Protection of the Swiss Coat of Arms (2013) |
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How the Flag of Switzerland 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 | No | Landlocked — no seagoing navy |
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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 Switzerland
| 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 | No |
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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) | 137 years |
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| Adoption Date | 12 December 1889 |
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| Earliest Recorded Use | 1339 |
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| Designer | Traditional, from the banner of the Old Swiss Confederacy |
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| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
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| Dominant Colour | Red |
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| Flags It Resembles | Vatican City is the only other square national flag; the Red Cross emblem is its reverse |
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| Notable Feature | Square field with a bold white cross |
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