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Flagpole Guides
Poland

Flag size calculator for Poland

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This page is an English translation of the Polish original. Where the two versions differ, the Polish text is the original.

No Polish rule sets the size of flag for a flagpole of a given height, but flag makers use simple sizing rules. For the flagpole height entered, the calculator shows the nearest standard size of Polish flag in the 5:8 proportion, the size given by the one-quarter rule and the length of a vertical flag.

Calculator

metres
Nearest standard size
100 × 160 cm
Height × length, 5:8 proportion, the size sold by Polish flag makers nearest to one quarter of the pole
One-quarter rule
approx. 94 × 150 cm
According to flag makers, a horizontal flag is about 1/4 as long as the pole is high; its height follows from the 5:8 proportion
Vertical flag
approx. 2.0 m, at most 3.0 m
According to flag makers, the long side of a vertical flag is about 1/3 of the pole’s height and no more than half

How the calculator works

  • Nearest standard size: The calculator works out one quarter of the flagpole's height and picks from the range of Polish flag makers the size with the nearest length: 70 × 112 cm, 100 × 160 cm, 125 × 200 cm or 150 × 240 cm. Sizes are given as height × length.
  • One-quarter rule: According to flag makers, a horizontal flag is about 1/4 as long as the flagpole is high. The calculator works out the flag's height from the statutory 5:8 proportion and rounds it to whole centimetres.
  • Vertical flag: According to flag makers, the long side of a vertical flag is about 1/3 of the flagpole's height and no more than half. The calculator shows both values.

The height is that of a free-standing flagpole, measured from the ground. For staffs on a façade, the distance from the wall, the pavement and the windows below also matters.

Examples

Flagpole heightNearest standard size1/4 ruleVertical flag
4 m70 × 112 cmapprox. 63 × 100 cmapprox. 1.3 m, at most 2.0 m
6 m100 × 160 cmapprox. 94 × 150 cmapprox. 2.0 m, at most 3.0 m
8 m125 × 200 cmapprox. 125 × 200 cmapprox. 2.7 m, at most 4.0 m
10 m150 × 240 cmapprox. 156 × 250 cmapprox. 3.3 m, at most 5.0 m
12 m150 × 240 cmapprox. 188 × 300 cmapprox. 4.0 m, at most 6.0 m

On flagpoles above 10 m, the largest size in the table, 150 × 240 cm, is smaller than the result of the 1/4 rule. Larger flags are usually made to order. Proportions and common sizes are described in the guide to flag sizes, and the choice of flagpole in the guide to flagpole heights.

Size and wind

A flag that is too large increases the force the wind exerts on the flagpole, its foundation and the halyard. Flag makers point out that in very strong wind the flag is taken down or lowered, especially if it is large relative to the flagpole. Safety is covered in the guide to flagpole safety.

Size and half-mast

At half-mast the flag slides down the pole. A large flag on a low flagpole can then come close to the ground or obstacles. Lowering the flag is described in the guide to half-mast.

Frequently asked questions

On what basis does the calculator work out the flag size?

The calculator applies the flag makers' rule that a horizontal flag is about one quarter as long as the flagpole is high, together with the statutory 5:8 proportions of the flag. It also shows the size sold by Polish makers that is nearest to that length.

Is the size from the calculator mandatory?

No. No provision sets the size of flag for a given flagpole. The Act on the emblem, colours and anthem only sets the flag's proportions, 5:8, and its colours.

Does the calculator cover vertical flags?

Yes. For a vertical flag, the calculator shows a long side of about one third of the flagpole's height and an upper limit of half the flagpole, in line with the rule given by flag makers.

Sources

This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Polish:

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