The words used for different kinds of flags can be confusing. In countries with several official versions, 'national', 'civil' and 'state' can describe different uses.
Civil flag
A civil flag is generally associated with civilian use. In some countries it is the version most people see flying on ordinary buildings and vessels.
State flag
A state flag is associated with government or official institutions and may include an emblem that is absent from the civil version.
National flag
The phrase national flag is often used broadly for the country's principal flag, but national flag terminology varies between countries.
Naval ensign
A naval ensign is used by military vessels and can have a distinct design. Maritime traditions have produced many specialised flag patterns.
The terminology is country-specific
There is no single global rulebook that makes every country use these terms in exactly the same way. FlagAtlas therefore treats the individual country's official definitions as the most important source.