Sweden Flag vs Finland Flag
Compare the Sweden flag and Finland flag side by side. Discover the key differences and why they look similar.
Sweden
National FlagBlue field with a yellow (gold) Nordic cross.
Adopted: 1906
Ratio: 5:8
Colors: blue, yellow
Finland
National FlagWhite field with a blue Nordic cross.
Adopted: 1918
Ratio: 11:18
Colors: white, blue
Key Differences
| Aspect | Sweden | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Type | National flag | National flag |
| Background Color | Blue | White |
| Cross Color | Yellow/gold | Blue |
| Color Count | 2 colors | 2 colors |
| Aspect Ratio | 5:8 | 11:18 |
| Country | Sweden | Finland |
Why Do the Sweden and Finland Flags Look Similar?
Both flags use the Nordic cross design with blue as a primary color. Sweden's has a blue background with a yellow cross, while Finland's has a white background with a blue cross. They represent the two main Nordic cross color schemes. Both countries share a long history — Finland was part of Sweden for over 600 years until 1809. The Nordic cross symbolizes Christianity and is shared by all Scandinavian nations.
