What shape is the national flag of Switzerland?

The national flag of Switzerland is square.

Switzerland’s flag is a red field bearing a white Greek cross, with the arms of the cross extending equal distances from the centre. It is one of only two square sovereign-state flags in the world; the other is the flag of Vatican City.

The modern Swiss cross developed from military banners used by the Old Swiss Confederacy. Switzerland adopted the white cross on red as a national symbol in the 19th century, while the precise square format became especially associated with the national flag.

Swiss civil and maritime flags are exceptions to the usual square design. The Swiss civil flag is rectangular, and Switzerland’s maritime flag is also rectangular. This distinction explains why images of Swiss flags do not always have identical proportions.