363,389 Votes: What Is America's Best State Flag? - TLDR News

Best Flag in the World: • 1,103,454 Votes: What ...
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363,389 votes were cast to decide what the best US state flag is. We processed the ballots and here are the results...
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[@_Aly_00_]

I love how a flag that's basically a ms word clip art of a shark beats out 11 official state flags

[@AVR7771]

I was so confused about this comment until I watched the rest of the video

[@Rifat.Rafael.Birmizrahi]

I know right! You know your states new flags when the situation is this dire

[@tofuuuuuuuuuuuuu]

I thought this said Shrek and not shark and I was extremely confused for a second

[@_Aly_00_]

@@tofuuuuuuuuuuuuu the United States of My Swamp

[@cyanshift]

The shark is my favourite lol

[@kingknog9318]

Mississippi finally finishing in the top ten of something 🤣

[@chris7263]

Mississippi's new flag is gorgeous, credit where credit is due.

[@SameerHameedy]

The new flag is really pretty actually like i would consider getting it on a T-shirt pretty

[@pranav4937]

They're in the top 10 in so many negative statistics!

[@Ultrase7en767]

I wish we could see where the old one would have stacked up

[@gavinthecrafter]

The old one would probably be in the bottom 3

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Remember, a cloth with a slapped on seal is not a flag.

[@MalloonTarka]

What about a sea lion?

[@MickeyMouse-lm6zj]

but seal

[@azan-183]

Literally, I was going to comment on how on earth did Maryland not make it into the top 10 LOL!

[@jasonwilliamtjandra]

Well almost 1 more rank to the top it will be in the top 10

[@UsualSuspect47]

it's hideous and if anyone asks where I'm from, the #1 ranked flag in the world. in all seriousness, I love these tests

[@hello-nr2jz]

Maryland should've beaten California.

[@MickeyMouse-lm6zj]

it's the worst one

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Maryland’s flag is the best. Unfortunately a lot of people have bad taste. 😆

[@TheRealPingu]

What I learnt: I’m the only who has good taste 😒

[@milosm9280]

Who voted for Arizona lmao

[@czechmate5079]

@@milosm9280 as a Virginian, I voted for Arizona

[@Duncecap64]

@@milosm9280 probably a good portion by the looks of it, i mean it's a pretty good flag. Plenty of Symbolism, works well in black and white, good contrast between colors its all pretty textbook for a good flag.

[@Nexandr]

@@milosm9280 arizonas flag is epic bruh i mean the colours dont kill your eye plus its symbolic

[@nbewarwe]

@@Nexandr Also it's not blue with just the state crest in the middle. That's a big one.

[@askarlatos]

I'm glad you put the Maryland comment at the end because that is how I feel as a Marylander

[@XalphYT]

I thought it was a reference to _Hello Internet_ (the podcast).

[@WhiteTigerHouston]

I’m really surprised you didn’t factor out and show us how other countries rated our flags

[@OurayTheOwl]

Maybe there weren’t that many, or their votes weren’t that different

[@flappetyflippers]

I know as a British person I may have rated Hawaii higher (I find it really funny ngl)

[@charliemarsh6801]

@@OurayTheOwl But it would be interesting how people from the uk voted for hawaiis flag as our flag is in the corner of their flag

[@MichaelDavis-mk4me]

@@flappetyflippers I gave it a 1, it's an awful flag.

[@TheSkyShaft]

Wouldn't go that far, its basically a bad british rip off of the US flag. Its more well designed than say other british colony flags like new zealand. I'd say a low 3 would seem fair

[@mikaoleander]

of course TENnessee got tenth edit: but if the non-state territories are included, it becomes twelvessee

[@VodkaCat08]

atleast it wasn't lastnessee

[@Nexandr]

why

[@TheMexxodus]

Can't wait to rate the flags of the Japanese Prefectures. That should be intresting. :)

[@connorthompson66]

They are all so simplistic yet artistic, and I love them all. It will be hard to choose a favorite.

[@danielsykes7558]

Yes please

[@MiCnWww]

Good idea!

[@Kaizoku_Zoro]

how is alabama not on bottom

[@MegaClevernamehere]

I don't understand why people the like Japanese prefecture flags? There all are just stylized characters of the prefecture, on a seemingly random colored background. Where's the character where's the personality? They're just "state seals on a blue bed sheet" Flags, but more "aesthetic"

[@Pwnstarrunner]

As someone from Wisconsin, I definitely saw this coming.

[@thewiiking5373]

our state deserves a better flag

[@jacoby3070]

Same with Kentucky

[@Kale-from-the-Future]

Damn, I just knew we'd get number 1 in something, just not what I thought originally haha.

[@A.Mayflower127]

Hmm top 5 I would guess to be South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado

[@Duncecap64]

4/5 thats not bad

[@A.Mayflower127]

@@Duncecap64 I mean ngl I good chunk of the flags are awful 😂

[@geodylan379]

I expected Alaska Texas Ohio California Arizona

[@Cross3DG]

I've always thought of the Texas flag as over-hyped, but I guess I'm in the minority on that one.

[@nunyabailey]

I’m with you, it’s not all that

[@kionnakelly2918]

I agree

[@Gnomgnash]

Wouldn't put it as number one either, but definitely better than most other US flags

[@MO-qd6tm]

It's bland

[@lol-xs9wz]

Most overrated flag: Texas Most underrated flags: California, Hawaii Favorite flag: Maryland Im european Don't fight me

[@erdfs6303]

Maryland is gross it’s flag has got to much. And as a Texan I believe Texas should be number 1.

[@leonardojesuseslavagarcia1444]

i was surprise by the place of maryland, it break rules but good it soo cool and balance

[@nunyabailey]

@@erdfs6303 of course as a Texan you believe Texas should be #1, you guys think you’re the best at everything 😂

[@erdfs6303]

@@nunyabailey no we know we are the best at everything.

[@Infinitystar225]

California is definitely my favourite flag

[@Gamerblam]

While yeah I voted for my own state flag (*Cough* Texas) I still think Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico have great flags as well, certainly stand out from the blue seal flags.

[@Lanosrep]

Ironic that tennessee scored at 10, because it's the only 10 I see

[@kionnakelly2918]

This actually made me laugh out loud

[@cedricduchesne866]

Funny but thats not irony!

[@yarielrobles9003]

I like how Puerto Rico effectively got 8th by copying cuba's homework

[@danielsykes7558]

I really love Cuba 🇨🇺 , 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, and the Texas state flag, and 🇨🇱 Chile is alright.

[@cosmicislander]

They have historical ties and were created basically by the same people to look the same intentionally to represent their shared past and future, so it’s justified.

[@hardcasekara6409]

Ain't really copying if both worked on it.

[@gavinthecrafter]

Could you make the data public? I'd love to go in and see if people from outside the US ranked our flags lower and stuff like that

[@zeztro]

Maryland is so bad that it wraps around and becomes good. It's also pretty medieval looking imo, doesn't have any writing on it, and isn't a blue background with a seal

[@crazyrobots6565]

CGP Grey, is that you?

[@kamielheeres8687]

I like the Collorado flag the best. Its nice and simple but has a very unique and recognizable design.

[@hifijohn]

As a Chicago cubs fan I agree I like the big red "c".

[@AposineYT]

Alaska is my personal favorite. Not a fan of Colorado, it looks so... corporate, I guess?

[@crazyrobots6565]

I love Colorado's flag. It is excellent design.

[@JackDSquat]

I feel the same way bruh it looks like some logo

[@nunyabailey]

Yeah it does look like a logo

[@chris7263]

Yeah, I would have put Colorado in the middle. Better than the seal-on-blue flags, easy, but corporate fits my feeling about it. Needs some kind of symbol along with just a C.

[@crazyrobots6565]

@@chris7263 nah. Colorado is easily top quintile.

[@FalconsEye58094]

I think Louisiana has the best looking seal on a bedsheet

[@chris7263]

Yeah, the size of the pelican at least makes it look different from the others at a distance. If they change their flag, they should keep the bird.

[@joaovitormatos8147]

I'd say Indiana, but their flag is technically not a seal

[@FalconsEye58094]

Chris I say just simplify the current one

[@suzumes6738]

Flags should be recognizable at a distant glance and easy to make and replicate, so words, seals, and anything that makes it too busy is a nonstarter. I like how people ranked these and I generally agree with this ranking, though Arizona's flag is the one I'd put on top.

[@flappetyflippers]

I agree entirely, Arizona is best from my point of view, Texas is fine but I prefer Arizona as its more interesting but not too busy!

[@MalloonTarka]

I agree they should be recognisable at a distant glance, but I never got why people insist they should be easy to make or replicate. We don't expect that from any other piece of art, so I can only guess it has a practical function - but what, I can't imagine.

[@flappetyflippers]

@@MalloonTarka it's because it's a flag that's used commonly by many many people, so it should be easy to draw (this isn't a requirement obviously but it's a good thing)

[@MalloonTarka]

@@flappetyflippers Why is it a good thing that a flag used by many people is easy to draw? I see no connection there.

[@flappetyflippers]

@@MalloonTarka right sorry I meant that its used by many as in many people draw it

[@alejandrorincon5649]

My proudest yee haw 🤠🤠🤠 goes out for Texas today

[@DMoneys36]

This is pretty accurate. Texas and California are just too high because they are recognizable. New Mexico really deserves first. Alaska is great too. All the confederate inspired designs like arkansas deserve to be last

[@tomrogue13]

Yeah i knew Cali would be in the top 10, basically cuz its Cali.

[@speedy01247]

@@tomrogue13 the flag isn't that bad, but they should stick with the bear, not the name.

[@tomrogue13]

@@speedy01247 yeah agree. Maybe stylize the bear a little more

[@NAYRUthunder99]

Fact is, confederate flags are actually pretty good. Fascists are historically into totemic adoration of symbols, so it makes sense that they tend to have a better taste for flag design.

[@DMoneys36]

@@NAYRUthunder99 well you're not wrong...

[@kyx-001]

Wasnt surprised at the blue flags doing bad

[@ubc1454]

IMO, New Mexico’s flag is the best. Not sure how Texas won this, but congrats nonetheless

[@nunyabailey]

It’s best because most of the voters were Texans probably. Everyone seems to be from Texas nowadays.

[@Mrfizzly]

@@nunyabailey lol

[@MeFreeBee]

I agree New Mexico's is best because it manages to combine a simple design (rule #1 of a good flag - can a child under 10 draw a recognisable facsimile in crayon) with a color scheme and graphic that are evocative of both the desert landscape and native American influences.

[@chris7263]

I expect it's because everyone recognizes Texas; people like familiarity.

[@lawden210]

Texas' flag is at core; a bicolor(which is why i think it got first)

[@sevenfootrat1185]

Dang my 5/5 for my home state Delaware did nothing to carry it out of the bottom of the list as I expected

[@crazyrobots6565]

In no world does Delaware deserve 5/5. But also it shouldn't be in the bottom 10. It should be about the middle.

[@sevenfootrat1185]

@@crazyrobots6565 I know lol I would have given it a 2 but I needed to do my duty to my state lol

[@grimenhaus]

I love that the smallest state likes its flag so much!

[@paulgrant421]

Woo-hoo, Colorado! Now do license place designs. 😉

[@buivars]

Actually scared myself by correctly guessing top 5. Edit: I should note I'm a Historian and Vexillologist..

[@Hadar1991]

I am not vexillologist, but I am somewhat interested in this topic. And all flags with names on them (e.g. California) or any text are just abomination for me. Flag should convey a message only using colours and symbols. So to be honest that "C" in Colorado flag (or "O" in the Ohio) are just big "no no" to me. Americans just lack the European taste in flag design (excluding the national US flag which is surprisingly good compering it to the vast majority of sates flags). The US state flags that I liked are New Mexico, Texas, Maryland and Puerto Rico if we count territories.

[@buivars]

@@Hadar1991 I agree entirely, but what must be kept in mind is that, unlike Europe, American state flags were "created". Rather than naturally evolving.

[@thepodcastcrew1113]

Any other CGP Gray fans here?

[@bleskiven]

Anything with words on it: INSTANT FAIL!

[@thepodcastcrew1113]

@@bleskiven I lost it at that haha

[@XalphYT]

I had the feeling that we did this already. P.S. Meet you all at the cafe in The Mighty Black Stump.

[@thepodcastcrew1113]

@@XalphYT Wonder if the pilgrimage will have any hotstoppers left

[@creativeburst2442]

My favorite stat flag is Alaska (my home state) and am glad it was in the top 5. I think note the state that were highly rated with solid blue. Blue backgrounds had it used as more then just a backdrop interrelating it. South Carolina and Indiana flag use it as contrast and Alaska flag uses it as part of it's symbolism.

[@aleksanderbrygmann279]

Alaska is one of the best ones, I agree. Also I like rhode Island

[@DavidSmith-jj7ll]

The blue field in SC's flag is actually part of the symbolism - the original flag was just the crescent on a blue field to represent the blue uniforms and silver crescent emblems worn by the defenders of Charleston Harbor during the siege by British imperial forces during the Revolutionary War. The silver palmetto was added later, and represent the resiliency of the state as it was local wood used in the construction of the forts (notably what's now Fort Moultrie) defending the harbor, which didn't splinter when hit by British naval bombardment. None of the SC flag is meant to be 'pretty tree and pretty moon on pretty blue flag'. Works for that, but that's not the meaning. Can't speak to Indiana, but all elements of the SC flag are symbolic of its Revolutionary War (not Civil War) heritage. But props to Alaska, that's a great flag, too. Just don't discount SC's flag's symbolism.

[@lisagould8047]

taking the counties quiz but cant find when selecting Home Counties Herefordshire.

[@TheFlyingGreenMonkey]

I've lived in Idaho going on 5 years now and I didn't recognize that flag lol.

[@1Anime4you]

The Howard's Island flag is seriously a damn good one for real. It was definitely my favorite of all options presented.

[@Crick1952]

Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee have the best designed state flags imo. Puerto Rico and DC, though not states, are also solid designs. All the others range from alright/passible to horrible.

[@chris7263]

Minnesotan who voted hard against the Minnesota flag, here. I was only surprised by Colorado's high ranking; like, it's way better than *our* flag, sure, but better than Maryland? C'mon, Maryland is amazing 😂

[@fallen4life080]

It's obvious that putting your seal on a flag is overly simplistic WHILE simultaneously making the whole flag too complex with the complexity of the seal. The key is simple but significant (not complex)

[@koltrainz]

I feel like Texas rated higher than New Mexico's flag because of the fact that the Texas flag is probably the most Iconic on the list. And many people still think that New Mexico isn't a state sady.

[@lascurettes]

Oregon does indeed suck as a state flag - on the front! But it's the ONLY double-sided official state flag with an entirely different design on the back. And while that design on the back is still far from great, it is objectively and arguably much better than the front. It is the silhouette of a beaver in gold on the blue field.

[@chrisk_nfl4120]

Someone needs to make a remix of him saying the states of the USA to the tune of "Songs of the World" from The Animaniacs

[@JonBerry555]

Wyoming is nearly a good flag. If they just got rid of the state's seal on top of the bison, it would be amazing.

[@Sfaxx]

Top 5 (unordered): • California • Texas • Maryland • New Mexico • Arizona And I feel like one of my list may be displaced by Tennessee (most likely MD), but I'll go with my selection

[@d33pw3115]

I find it interesting how high Ohio's naval pennant was rated, given its not a traditional flag

[@tonywilde1709]

Absolutely criminal how low Maryland and Wymoing are

[@devenhull3677]

My guess is Maryland, Arizona, Texas, Alaska, and Hawaii in some order EDIT: Not bad, totally forgot New Mexico had a cool flag

[@laettaextrafit5607]

After you'll have evaluated the county flags of GB, please consider a ballot of the federal state flags of federal countries in Europe like Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. So you would have a total of 54 flags for a poll. Thanks a lot for your efforts.

[@nunyabailey]

In my opinion New Mexico has the best flag, with California in second. Kinda unsure how Texas got #1, but my guess is all the Texans voted for it and there’s like 40 million of them so it’s makes since they would win.

[@Crick1952]

California flag is way over-designed. I'm glad Texas won, but I would have been fine taking second place to New Mexico. They got a sweet flag there.

[@nunyabailey]

@@Crick1952 You’re a Texan huh?

[@goofy_walking_pluto1218]

*Texas Wins* All the Texans: YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAA

[@wordsmithgmxch]

New Mexico: IS No. 1 -- Classic!! It's got the culture, it's got the climate. It has elegant simplicity and balance. Nothing else can touch it!

[@Henry-xu5jg]

Well clearly not

[@mitchbelles8080]

Was this poll taken in Texas?

[@lgdcommanderchen]

In my opinion, the Alaskan Flag is actually very unique and iconic! To be honest, it was my favorite US States Flag. But, of course, The Lone Star is indeed the most iconic US State Flags. Some may perhaps confuse it with the Chilean Flag.... but I think (and please CMIIW), everyone on Earth knows Texas. It was prominently displayed everywhere, from Spongebob Squarepants to Cowboy Films. Other than that, Florida and California is also quite iconic and recognizeable :)

[@pearlofthedarkage]

Yeah, um... That survey asked me which county I'm from even though I specifically said I'm not from the UK... So, I chose "other," but I feel like if that is going to be a required field that the option "I'm not from the UK," should be in there.

[@sackeshi]

Maryland is the best flag. Its original and stylish.

[@jesseo_o1342]

new jersey needs a new flag design

[@happyelephant5384]

So, what Americans prefer the most is Taxes

[@FirstNameLastName-tg3rc]

4:50 You cut off the end of the Rhode Island flag. Also, when US voters were mentioned, I can say I don't even live in the US - so this is more than just a US perspective.

[@timebomb418]

New Jersey and Washington: "Well at least it's not blue"

[@Flyingclam]

I dont get why people hate flags with eagles on them. I think the score is being dragged down by an outlier. Or many of the Blue Seal flags have eagles on them and created a false positive

[@JAlanne]

Like half of the flags are absolutely horrendous

[@4arcadeRGB]

How come I always miss these surveys

[@sapede]

The number of votes may appear high but the number of voters is relatively low.

[@vvg_lol]

As a Texan..... I honestly thought we'd be 2nd and New Mexico 1st, but I guess people find Texas's flag more iconic, and it really makes me proud =] I didn't expect that.....but thanks =D

[@Gabowsk]

1. Mississippi 2. Arizona 3. Delaware 4. Maryland 5. California These are my best bets.

[@jeffthornton6998]

Maryland, New Mexico, Alaska, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Tennessee , Mississippi and Arizona.

[@michaelbroderick4121]

Your Minnesota graphic used a flag that isn't used as Minnesota's flag anymore.

[@nathan-iz2bq]

Why the fuck was Alabama higher than Wyoming

[@JoppedeZeeuw]

I think the Texan or the Georgian flag will win, because it is as close to an actual country-like flag as it gets, and simplicity usually works well for a flag. Then again, Americans have a flag that have 50 stars and 13 banners, so a grand total of 64 features (including the blue rectangle the stars are in), so maybe this doesn't translate well to American preferences. Also they don't have any black features so I already think I'm wrong too. Edit after seeing the ranking: I guess I wasn't so wrong after all! Texas obviously has the most easily recognizable flag and could honestly be a decent country-flag on itself. That said, I'm amazed that Georgia is so far down, although I must admit the flag was simpler in my head than it actually is. Seems like complex features cost a flag a lot of points.

[@crazyrobots6565]

I ranked Georgia 1/5 because it is a Confederate flag. I think most who know the history of the Georgia flag probably ranked it low. It isn't about the complex design, it is about it's racist history.

[@ju_aych39]

Is this content news? No. Do I absolutely love it? Yes times a thousand.

[@LittleLilith481]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for this video.

[@allaboutroy7399]

Same!!

[@quiquaequod322]

My guess for top 5: New Mexico, Texas, Alaska, California, and the "so bad it's great" Maryland.

[@scotandiamapping4549]

1. Texas 2. California 3. New Mexico 4. New York 5. District Of Colombia (if it counts) Also I didn't need to pause cuz I got an ad during the countdown LOL

[@TobuscusGameing]

Why New York? That flag is very generic compared with the others

[@patrickjspoon]

I'mma guess that the top five are, without ordering: Texas, Mississippi, Arizona, Rhode Island, and Tennessee

[@fallen4life080]

As someone from Illinois who recently moved to New Mexico because of the underrated nature (Colorado gets all the tourism) it's nice to see New Mexico beat out Colorado which I personally think is an overrated (but still good) state

[@sonicboom9708]

My top five - not a guess just my opinion 1. Colorado 2. New Mexico 3. Ohio - I'm bias since I'm from Ohio 4. Alaska 5. South Carolina

[@lewis4129]

I think Hawaii might be slightly high Edit: 14th isn’t that bad tbf

[@Sietruc]

It got the British vote

[@avi65speedruns]

I think the top 10 is Arizona, Colorado, California, Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Maryland, Alabama, Mississippi and Wyoming

[@randomperson6988]

We’ve got a lot of flag redesigning to do

[@Sir_Powder]

Not surprising, most of our flags break all the vexology rules.

[@51germa96]

1texas 2arizona 3california 4florida 5maryland

[@observer127]

Ohio, Texas, Alaska, South Carolina, Hawaii in no particular order.

[@MalloonTarka]

Hey, the survey insists on us choosing what counties we're from, even if we're not from the UK.

[@cedricduchesne866]

6:55 that flag actually is fire

[@johnnytex1040]

It's good everyone else knows the Lone Star flag is the best.

[@kryspy5160]

i think arizona, new mexico, texas, colorado, ohio, maryland, california, and alaska will probably be some of the top votes

[@ceucanis]

Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, that one with the magnolias(Alabama?), and Louisiana.

[@jahmaicherry]

Was Oregon's back-side of the flag an option?

[@TunaBear64]

Impressive that the five states/territories with more than 30% of population being Spanish speaker (California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Puerto Rico) got into the top 10

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

The simpler the flag, the higher it scores. My own favourite is Alaska.

[@charleshamilton9274]

As a Colorado native, I have always hated our state flag. I find it unbelievably unimaginative. Which is a contradiction, as I am very proud of Colorado. In general, it is a great place to live.

[@thedragonreport5054]

Texas, Colorado, and Indiana are probably somewhere in the top 5

[@Taranaki66]

I would go New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Ohio and Colorado. The city with the best flag, Chicago, is in a state, Illinois, with a garbage flag.

[@colindelabie9734]

Texas, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, and New Mexico are the top 5

[@jonathan199]

If your state flag scored less than the flag of Navassa Island, your state flag has problems.

[@Running_Wakko]

Who else knows a flag white red and black and very loved by some americans today and may others during the second world war........

[@evelynkokemoor6398]

As a Wisconsinite I was surprised to see the words "Wisconsin / 1848" on the flag. Either I gloss over it every time or most flags I see don't have those words (apparently they were added in 1979). I'm fond of the original version with just the coat of arms. If there has to be a word, "Forward" is a good one.

[@ccobat8919]

I love the Colorado, Hawaii and Puerto Rico flags from the UK 🇬🇧

[@angelsaavedra633]

Of course you'll like Hawaii's flag

[@ccobat8919]

@@angelsaavedra633 Of course 😂😂🇬🇧

[@tritojean7549]

if you continue after the british county can you do the same with french departement armory?

[@DJ-xz8zz]

Maryland, Texas, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico.

[@SpeedyFolf]

Top five guesses: New Mexico, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas