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How does a heraldic standard differ from a heraldic banner?

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flag shapes — flag Various shapes of flags: (from left) rectangle (Algeria), square (Switzerland), pennant (Nepal), swallowtail (Ohio, U.S.).

In the context of heraldry, banners and standards serve distinct purposes and possess different designs:

Heraldic Banner: This flag bears the owner’s arms as if it were a square shield. It is a direct representation of the individual's armorial bearings and is typically square in shape.1
Heraldic Standard: This is a long, narrow flag. Unlike the banner, the standard displays the principal colors of the owner’s arms along with their badge or badges. In the hoist—the part of the flag closest to the staff—it features either the owner’s arms or their national cross.1

While both are types of heraldic flags, they are not interchangeable. A banner is essentially a square display of a coat of arms, whereas a standard is a longer, more complex flag designed to showcase colors and badges associated with the owner.1