South America · Canadian pale
How to draw the flag of Peru
The flag of Peru is three vertical bands with a double-width centre in red and white. It flies at a ratio of 2:3.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. Peru flies at 2:3 — for every 3 units of width the flag is 2 tall. Sketch that rectangle first; a flag drawn too square is the fastest way to lose layout points.
- Block in the background. Fill the whole flag with red first, then build the rest on top of it. Working from the largest area to the smallest keeps the proportions honest.
- Add the white. Three vertical bands with a double-width centre. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
Peru flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Red | #D91023 | rgb(217, 16, 35) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
What the flag means
Red-white-red vertical bands, said to come from the red and white flamingos Sán Martín saw on landing.
Common mistakes
- Drawing it horizontally, which makes it Austria.
- Watch out for Canada, Austria and Latvia — they are close enough to Peru that people draw the wrong one from memory.
A trick for remembering it
Peru stands up, Austria lies down.
Flags that look like this one
Side-by-side breakdowns of the pairs people mix up:
Questions about the Peru flag
What colours are on the flag of Peru?
Peru uses 2 colours: red (#D91023), white (#FFFFFF).
What are the proportions of the Peru flag?
It flies at 2:3 (height to width). Drawing it at the wrong shape is one of the quickest ways to lose layout marks in the game.
What does the Peru flag mean?
Red-white-red vertical bands, said to come from the red and white flamingos Sán Martín saw on landing.
Which flags look like the Peru flag?
Canada, Austria, Latvia. Watch out for Canada, Austria and Latvia — they are close enough to Peru that people draw the wrong one from memory.
How hard is the Peru flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 3 out of 5. The colours are simple; the arrangement is what catches people out.
