Flag ratio: 2:3

The Flag of Italy is a tricolour containing three vertical bands of green, white, and red (left, or hoist side, to right). It derives from the one adopted by the Repubblica Cispadana in 1797. This flag was inspired by a flag brought to Italy by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. It was adopted in this form on 1/1/1948 with the adoption of the republican constitution. A previous version showed in the middle of the white stripe the Savoia's (Italy's ruling dinasty until the end of World War II) coat of arms. This is similar to the Flag of Ireland, which is green, white and orange, and is the opposite of the Côte d'Ivoire flag, which is red, white and green. It shows also resemblance with the flag of Mexico.

In march 2003, after 207 years in service, its colours have been updated to a lighter green (pantone 18-5642 TC), an ivory-tinged white (11-4201 TC) and a ruby red (18-1660 TC).