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Sweden

Flag size calculator for Swedish flags – the rule of thumb

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

The flag size calculator shows which size of Swedish flag and pennant Riksarkivet’s rule of thumb gives for a particular pole height. It shows both the exact dimensions under the rule of thumb and the nearest common standard size.

The calculator

metres
Nearest standard size
200 × 125 cm
Length × height by the rule of thumb
Exact size by the rule of thumb
200 × 125 cm
Length = one quarter of the pole’s height (Riksarkivet)
Pennant according to Riksarkivet
2.7–4.0 m
Common lengths: 3 m, 3.5 m, 4 m

How the calculator works

The calculator is based on Riksarkivet’s recommendations and the statutory proportions of the Swedish flag:

  1. The flag’s length is the pole’s height divided by four. An eight-metre pole gives a flag 200 centimetres long.
  2. The flag’s height is the length times 10/16, because the rectangular flag’s height relates to its length as 10 to 16 under the Act on the Flag of Sweden.
  3. Standard size: the calculator shows the nearest common size. Common lengths are 90, 120, 150, 180, 200, 240, 300, 375, 450 and 540 centimetres.
  4. Tall poles: from twelve metres, the calculator also shows how much smaller the flag can be. Riksarkivet states that the size can be reduced by up to one sixth.
  5. Pennant: according to Riksarkivet, the pennant is between one third and one half of the pole’s height.

The calculator runs in the browser and does not send any data anywhere.

The pole’s height

The calculator starts from the pole’s height above the ground, from the ground to the finial. The part of the pole that sits in the foundation or ground sleeve is not counted. The height is often stated in the installation instructions or on the receipt.

The rule of thumb is a guideline

  • Exposed locations: on the coast or in the mountains, many choose the smaller size when the rule of thumb falls between two sizes, and some keep a storm flag for windy days.
  • The manufacturer’s limit: many poles are designed for a certain maximum flag size, and that information comes from the manufacturer.
  • A pole near a tall building: a smaller flag does not strike a façade as easily.

More about flag sizes

Tables for all common pole heights are in the guide to flag sizes. The guide to flagpole heights covers common heights and planning permission, and the guide to half-mast describes how high the flag sits in mourning.

Frequently asked questions

How does the flag size calculator work?

The calculator divides the pole’s height by four to get the flag’s length according to Riksarkivet’s rule of thumb and multiplies the length by 10/16 to get the height. It also shows the nearest common standard size. The pennant length is shown as a range between one third and one half of the pole’s height.

Which height does the calculator start from?

The calculator starts from the pole’s height above the ground, which is the visible part of the pole. The part that sits in the foundation or ground sleeve is not included.

Why does the calculator show a smaller flag for tall poles?

Riksarkivet states that on very tall poles the flag’s size can be reduced by up to one sixth in relation to the pole. For poles from twelve metres upwards, the calculator therefore also shows that range.

Does the calculator apply to flags other than the Swedish one?

The rule of one quarter of the pole’s height is used for many flags, but the height depends on the flag’s proportions. The calculator uses the Swedish flag’s proportions of 10 to 16.

Sources

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

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