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This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:

You are trying to customize the flags for selected languages on your site, specifically wanting to change the shape and color of the flags.

Solution:

WPML does not provide built-in options to directly change the shape or color of language flags. However, you can customize them by following these steps:

1. To change the shape of the flags (e.g., round or square), upload your custom flag images. Navigate to WPML >> Languages >> Site Languages, click the Edit Languages link next to the language, upload the new flag image, and save the changes.

2. Since flags are image files, to change the color, create and upload colored versions of the flags. WPML does not support automatic color changes. If needed, you can use custom CSS to apply visual effects.

Please ensure to take a full site backup before making these changes. For more detailed instructions, refer to the following documentation:

If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we recommend opening a new support ticket. We also highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. For further assistance, please visit our support forum at WPML support forum.

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This topic contains 1 reply, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Bigul 1 week, 2 days ago.

Assisted by: Bigul.

Author Posts
July 4, 2025 at 3:45 pm #17202540

batoulF

Background of the issue:
I am trying to customize the flags for selected languages on my site hidden link. Specifically, I want to change or customize a flag's shape and color for detected languages.

Symptoms:
No specific issue or error message mentioned.

Questions:
How can I customize the shape of the flags for selected languages in WPML?
How can I change the color of the flags for detected languages in WPML?

July 4, 2025 at 8:34 pm #17203078

Bigul
WPML Supporter since 01/2013

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)

Hello,

Welcome to the WPML support forum. I will do my best to assist you in resolving the issue.

To help you faster, I've enabled debug information for this support ticket. Please see this link for how to get this information from your site and give it to us: http://wpml.org/faq/provide-debug-information-faster-support/

WPML doesn’t have built-in options to change the shape or color of language flags, but there are ways to customize them:

To change the shape (e.g., round or square), you can upload your custom flag images.

Please go to WPML >> Languages >> Site Languages, click the Edit Languages link next to the language, upload the new flag image, and save the changes.

Since flags are image files, the best way to change the color is to create and upload colored versions of the flags. WPML doesn’t support automatic color changes, even for browser-detected languages. However, you can use custom CSS if needed to apply visual effects.

Please try this after taking a full site backup, and let us know your feedback. You can also refer to the following documentation for more details:

https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-switcher-options/custom-language-flags/#how-to-add-a-custom-flag

https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-switcher-options/custom-language-flags/#adjusting-the-flag-size

https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-switcher-options/how-to-fix-styling-and-css-issues-for-the-language-switchers/

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Thanks!

Bigul