Africa · Unique design
How to draw the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe
The flag of São Tomé and Príncipe is a one-of-a-kind layout in green, yellow and red, with two black stars. It flies at a ratio of 1:2.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. São Tomé and Príncipe flies at 1:2 — for every 2 units of width the flag is 1 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 green first, then build the rest on top of it. Working from the largest area to the smallest keeps the proportions honest.
- Add the yellow and red. A one-of-a-kind layout. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
- Finish with the two black stars. Detail is the last ten percent of the score, so leave it until the colour blocks are down. Size and position count for more than drawing every line of it.
São Tomé and Príncipe flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Green | #12AD2B | rgb(18, 173, 43) |
| Yellow | #FFCE00 | rgb(255, 206, 0) |
| Red | #D21034 | rgb(210, 16, 52) |
Common mistakes
- Watch out for the Congo and Guinea — they are close enough to São Tomé and Príncipe that people draw the wrong one from memory.
A trick for remembering it
Anchor on the biggest shape: a one-of-a-kind layout in green, yellow and red. Everything else on the flag hangs off that.
Flags that look like this one
Side-by-side breakdowns of the pairs people mix up:
Questions about the São Tomé and Príncipe flag
What colours are on the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe?
São Tomé and Príncipe uses 3 colours: green (#12AD2B), yellow (#FFCE00), red (#D21034).
What are the proportions of the São Tomé and Príncipe flag?
It flies at 1:2 (height to width). Drawing it at the wrong shape is one of the quickest ways to lose layout marks in the game.
Which flags look like the São Tomé and Príncipe flag?
Congo, Guinea. Watch out for the Congo and Guinea — they are close enough to São Tomé and Príncipe that people draw the wrong one from memory.
How hard is the São Tomé and Príncipe flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 3 out of 5. The colours are simple; the arrangement is what catches people out.
