Europe · Centred cross
How to draw the flag of Switzerland
The flag of Switzerland is a cross centred on a plain field in red and white. It flies at a ratio of 1:1.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. Switzerland flies at 1:1 — for every 1 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 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. A cross centred on a plain field. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
- Finish with the centred cross. 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.
Switzerland flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Red | #FF0000 | rgb(255, 0, 0) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
What the flag means
The white cross on red goes back to the Old Swiss Confederacy battle banners of the 14th century.
Common mistakes
- Drawing it as a rectangle. The Swiss flag is square, and the cross arms are all the same length with a little gap to the edges.
- Watch out for Denmark, Georgia and Tonga — they are close enough to Switzerland that people draw the wrong one from memory.
- The proportions are unusual: 1:1 is nearly square.
A trick for remembering it
Square flag, square-ended cross, arms one sixth wider than they are thick.
Flags that look like this one
Side-by-side breakdowns of the pairs people mix up:
Questions about the Switzerland flag
What colours are on the flag of Switzerland?
Switzerland uses 2 colours: red (#FF0000), white (#FFFFFF).
What are the proportions of the Switzerland flag?
It flies at 1:1 (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 Switzerland flag mean?
The white cross on red goes back to the Old Swiss Confederacy battle banners of the 14th century.
Which flags look like the Switzerland flag?
Denmark, Georgia, Tonga. The proportions are unusual: 1:1 is nearly square.
How hard is the Switzerland flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 2 out of 5. Flat colour blocks and no fine detail, so most players score in the eighties or nineties.
