Flags With the Union Jack

19 flags in our collection include the Union Jack, mostly in the corner. It appears on the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu, as well as on British territories.

Flag of United Kingdom United Kingdom Flag of Australia Australia Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Flag of Fiji Fiji Flag of Bermuda Bermuda Flag of Cayman Islands Cayman Islands Flag of Tuvalu Tuvalu Flag of British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands Flag of Anguilla Anguilla Flag of Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Flag of Montserrat Montserrat Flag of Turks & Caicos Islands Turks & Caicos Islands Flag of Cook Islands Cook Islands Flag of Niue Niue Flag of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands Flag of British Indian Ocean Territory British Indian Ocean Territory Flag of Heard & McDonald Islands Heard & McDonald Islands Flag of Saint Helena Saint Helena Flag of Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands

What is the Union Jack?

The Union Jack, or Union Flag, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It combines the red cross of St George for England, the white saltire of St Andrew for Scotland and the red saltire of St Patrick for Ireland. Wales has no part in it, since it was already united with England when the first version was made in 1606. The current design dates from 1801.

Strictly speaking it is called the Jack when flown on a ship's jack staff, but the name is used for the flag in general.

The Union Jack was placed in the corner of colonial flags during the British Empire, and many of these flags stayed in use after independence. A few countries have debated changing them, while others, like Tuvalu in 1997, restored the Union Jack after a short spell without it.

Independent countries with the Union Jack

  • Australia: the Union Jack in the canton with the Southern Cross and a Commonwealth Star on blue.
  • New Zealand: the Union Jack with four red, white-edged stars. New Zealanders voted to keep this flag in a 2016 referendum.
  • Fiji: a light blue field with the Union Jack and a shield.
  • Tuvalu: light blue with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars for its islands.

Niue and the Cook Islands, which are self-governing in free association with New Zealand, also keep it.

British territories

Most British overseas territories use a Blue Ensign or Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and a badge in the fly. This includes Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Montserrat, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Heard and McDonald Islands use the flag of Australia.

Hawaii is the only US state with the Union Jack on its flag; see the US state flags.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries have the Union Jack on their flag?

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu are independent countries with the Union Jack in the corner, plus the United Kingdom itself.

Why do these flags have a Union Jack?

They were British colonies, and the Union Jack in the canton shows the link with the Crown.

What is the difference between the Union Jack and the Union Flag?

They are the same flag. Jack is the name used when it flies at the bow of a ship, but both are widely used.

Which US state has the Union Jack?

Hawaii does.

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