The difference between the England flag and the Union Jack is simple: the England flag is a red cross on white and represents England alone, while the Union flag layers three crosses together and represents the whole United Kingdom.
Every summer someone puts a Union flag in a window to support England, someone else corrects them, and an argument starts that neither party is equipped to win. Here is the short version.
England's national flag
A red cross on a white field. Officially the cross of St George, it represents England and only England.
If you are supporting England, marking St George's Day, or saying something about English identity specifically, this is the flag you want. Its history is set out in our guide to the St George's Cross.
The Union flag
The Union flag — often called the Union Jack, though strictly that term belongs to its use at sea — is a composite of three flags:
- The cross of St George — red cross on white, for England
- The saltire of St Andrew — white diagonal cross on blue, for Scotland
- The cross of St Patrick — red diagonal cross on white, for Ireland
Wales is famously absent, because Wales was already legally joined to England when the flag was designed.
How it was built
The first version appeared after the crowns of England and Scotland were united under James VI and I. The Irish cross was added later, with the Act of Union.
It is a diplomatic document as much as a flag: each element acknowledges a constituent part of a growing union.
Why it is not upside down
A detail worth knowing. The Union flag is not symmetrical. The white diagonal stripe should be wider above the red diagonal on the side nearest the flagpole.
Flown the other way it is technically upside down, which was historically a distress signal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the England flag part of the Union Jack?
Yes. The cross of St George is one of the three crosses combined to form the Union flag.
Which flag should I fly for England football?
The cross of St George. Team GB competitions use the Union flag; England fixtures use the England flag.
Why is Wales not on the Union Jack?
Wales was already legally united with England when the flag was designed, so it was considered covered by the cross of St George.
Is it Union Jack or Union flag?
Both are in common use. Strictly, a jack is a flag flown at the bow of a ship, so Union flag is the more precise term on land.
Flying it without a flagpole
You do not need a mast to fly a flag. The England collection puts the cross of St George on clothing you can actually wear.
Look at the t-shirts, the caps, or read how to wear it without looking like a football strip. For the outright version, there is the MEGA range.
About the author
Written by The Englishman Editorial Team — a small clothing brand based in Broadstairs, Kent, writing about English history, symbols and dress. Everything published here is researched and checked in-house. More about who writes this.