Flag of Malawi
Sub-Saharan Africa · MW · Vector source, 4:3 aspect ratio
- RegionSub-Saharan Africa
- ISO codeMW
- Source formatSVG (infinitely scalable)
- Available downloadsSVG · PNG · JPG · WEBP · ICO · PDF
Download the flag of Malawi as SVG, PNG, JPG, WEBP, ICO or PDF in any resolution you need.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Malawi |
|---|
| Country | Malawi |
|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Malawi |
|---|
| Capital | Lilongwe |
|---|
| Continent | Africa |
|---|
| Region | Eastern Africa |
|---|
| ISO Code | MW / MWI |
|---|
| Internet Domain | .mw |
|---|
| Calling Code | +265 |
|---|
| Currency | Malawian kwacha (MWK) |
|---|
| Official Language(s) | Chewa, English |
|---|
| Demonym | Malawian |
|---|
| Area | 118,484 km² |
|---|
| Population | 18,143,315 (approx.) |
|---|
| Coastline | Landlocked — no sea coast |
|---|
| United Nations Member | Yes |
|---|
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Malawi |
|---|
| Current Version Adopted | 28 May 2012 |
|---|
| Design First Used | 6 July 1964 |
|---|
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
|---|
| Flag Shape | Rectangular |
|---|
| Number of Colours | 4 |
|---|
| Main Colours | Black, Red, Green, Red Sun |
|---|
| Designer | Based on the Malawi Congress Party flag |
|---|
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun |
|---|
| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
|---|
| Official Status | Official national flag |
|---|
| Governing Authority | Government of Malawi |
|---|
Flag Colour Information
| Colour | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK | Pantone |
|---|
| Black | | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | No official Pantone reference |
|---|
| Red | | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | No official Pantone reference |
|---|
| Green | | #339E35 | 51, 158, 53 | 68, 0, 66, 38 | No official Pantone reference |
|---|
| Red Sun | | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | No official Pantone reference |
|---|
Flag Design and Symbolism
| Rising sun | Thirty-one rays, for the thirty-one African nations independent when the flag was adopted |
|---|
| Black | Stands for the people of Africa. |
|---|
| Red | Stands for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom. |
|---|
| Green | Stands for the evergreen vegetation of Malawi. |
|---|
| Red Sun | Stands for the dawn of hope and freedom for Africa. |
|---|
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|
| 6 July 1964 | Adopted at independence |
|---|
| 2010 | Briefly replaced by a design with a white full sun |
|---|
| 28 May 2012 | The original flag is restored by parliament |
|---|
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
|---|
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio (height : width) | 2:3 |
|---|
| Hoist (height) | 2 units |
|---|
| Fly (width) | 3 units |
|---|
| Layout | Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun |
|---|
| Band / Stripe Construction | Three equal horizontal bands |
|---|
| Construction Sheet Available | Yes |
|---|
| Governing Specification | Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act |
|---|
How the Flag of Malawi Is Used
| Setting | Flown | Notes |
|---|
| Government buildings | Yes | Flown on official premises |
|---|
| Schools and public institutions | Yes | Common in daily and ceremonial use |
|---|
| Private and civil use | Yes | May be flown by members of the public |
|---|
| Public holidays and commemorations | Yes | Displayed on national days of remembrance |
|---|
| Armed forces | No | No separate military flag is in use |
|---|
| Naval ensign | No | Landlocked — no seagoing navy |
|---|
| Embassies and consulates | Yes | Flown at diplomatic missions abroad |
|---|
| International sport | Yes | Used at the Olympic Games and world championships |
|---|
| United Nations building | Yes | Flown in the row of member states |
|---|
Other Official Flags of Malawi
| Flag Type | Purpose | In Use |
|---|
| National flag | The primary flag shown on this page | Yes |
|---|
| Civil flag | Flown by private citizens and organisations | Yes |
|---|
| War flag | Carried by the armed forces on land | No |
|---|
| Naval ensign | Flown at sea by naval and merchant vessels | No |
|---|
| Air force ensign | Used by the air force | No |
|---|
| Presidential standard | Marks the presence of the head of state | Yes |
|---|
| Royal standard | Marks the presence of the monarch | No |
|---|
| Historical flags | Earlier designs no longer in official use | Yes |
|---|
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Years in Use (current design) | 14 years |
|---|
| Adoption Date | 28 May 2012 |
|---|
| Earliest Recorded Use | 6 July 1964 |
|---|
| Designer | Based on the Malawi Congress Party flag |
|---|
| Nickname | No widely used nickname |
|---|
| Dominant Colour | Black |
|---|
| Flags It Resembles | Kenya and South Sudan share the black-red-green palette |
|---|
| Notable Feature | Horizontal tricolour with a rising sun |
|---|
