Italy Flag

How to identify it

Three equal vertical bands of green, white and red with no emblem. A plain field is the quickest test against Mexico; the green-first order separates it from Ireland, whose outer band is orange.

Design and construction

Proportions

2:3

Adoption and legal status

1946 for the republic; the tricolour dates from 1797

Construction

Three equal vertical bands. Official shade references have been published by the government to stop drift between suppliers.

History of the design

The tricolour was first adopted by the Cispadane Republic in 1797 under French influence. The Kingdom of Italy flew the same bands with the Savoy shield; the shield was removed when Italy became a republic in 1946.

Similar flags

Compare the details that separate these designs.

• 
  Mexico

  Mexico adds a coat of arms in the white band and is wider (4:7).

• 
  Ireland

  Ireland runs green, white, orange and is 1:2.

Sources