Flag sizes in Finland – the flag compared with the pole

The proportions of the Finnish flag are laid down by law, but there are no provisions on the flag’s size compared with the pole. The Ministry of the Interior and Suomalaisuuden Liitto do, however, give the same rule of thumb and a table by which flag and pole are in proportion. This guide describes the flag’s proportions and the usual sizes. The flag and pennant size for a given pole can be worked out with the flag size calculator.

The flag’s proportions in the Act

Under section 2 of the Act on the Flag of Finland, the proportions of the national flag are:

The ratio of height to length is thus 11 : 18. The rectangular state flag has the same proportions. The swallow-tailed state flag is one unit longer. Under section 8 of the Act, a flag whose proportions or colours clearly differ from those laid down may not be offered for sale as a Finnish flag.

The flag’s size compared with the pole

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the flag’s height is about one sixth of the pole’s length. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, Finnish manufacturers number flags so that the flag number matches the pole’s length in metres: an 8 metre pole takes flag number 8, a 10 metre pole flag number 10, and so on.

The Ministry of the Interior’s table gives an indicative relationship between the ridge height of the house, the pole’s length and the flag’s size:

According to the Ministry, the table describes the situation in normal conditions. Suomalaisuuden Liitto points out that the shape of the plot and differences in ground level affect the final choice. The pole’s height is described in the guide to flagpole heights.

Pennant sizes

According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the ratio of pennant length to pole length is 1 : 2. In the Association’s table, pennant sizes are given as width × length × width at the tip:

Wall poles and the omalippu

When choosing a flag for a wall pole, the Ministry of the Interior points out that the flag needs enough room to fly freely in every direction. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the omalippu or facade flag is used on a staff about 130 centimetres long. The flag types are described in the guide to flag types.

Size and flag flying situations

When several flags are flown, all the flags are best of the same size class according to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, and the Finnish flag’s pole is not taller than the others. At half-mast, the flag’s lower edge is at the middle of the pole regardless of the flag’s size. The practice is described in the guide to half-mast. The price and quality of flags are described in the guide to buying a flag.