Norway Flag vs Iceland Flag
Compare the Norway flag and Iceland flag side by side. Discover the key differences and why they look similar.
Norway
National FlagRed field with a blue Nordic cross outlined in white.
Adopted: 1899
Ratio: 8:11
Colors: red, white, blue
Iceland
National FlagBlue field with a red Nordic cross outlined in white. Color-inverted version of Norway.
Adopted: 1944
Ratio: 18:25
Colors: blue, white, red
Key Differences
| Aspect | Norway | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Type | National flag | National flag |
| Background Color | Red | Blue |
| Cross Color | Blue outlined in white | Red outlined in white |
| Aspect Ratio | 8:11 | 18:25 |
| Country | Norway | Iceland |
| Adoption Year | 1899 | 1944 |
Why Do the Norway and Iceland Flags Look Similar?
Both flags use the Nordic cross design with the same three colors (red, white, blue) but in reversed arrangements. Norway has a red background with a blue cross, while Iceland has a blue background with a red cross — essentially color-inverted versions of each other. This is not coincidental: Iceland's flag was deliberately designed as a color inversion of Norway's, reflecting their close historical and cultural ties.
