Image format
The SVG format
SVG is a vector format made of shapes instead of pixels. SVG became a W3C web standard in 2001; it describes pictures as shapes and paths written in XML.
When to use SVG
Use SVG for logos, icons and illustrations on websites, where the same file has to look sharp on every screen.
It is best for logos, icons and illustrations that must stay sharp at any size, and it opens on browsers and design tools, but not social networks, chat apps, Office or most forms.
How to open it: Any browser displays SVG; Figma, Illustrator, Inkscape and Affinity edit it.
| Full name | Scalable Vector Graphics |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .svg |
| MIME type | image/svg+xml |
| Introduced | 2001 |
| Compression | Vector (shapes, not pixels) |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Animation | Yes |
| Support | Opens almost everywhere |
| Typical size | A simple logo is often only a few KB |
Good at
- Perfectly sharp at any size
- Tiny for simple graphics
- Editable as text
Not so good at
- Unsuitable for photographs
- Most upload forms and social apps refuse it
The common mistake
Converting a photograph to SVG does not turn it into vectors. Either the pixels get wrapped inside an SVG, which is bigger and no sharper, or a tracer turns it into flat blobs of color.
Convert SVG to another image format
Compare SVG with
Questions
What is an SVG file?
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector format made of shapes instead of pixels. SVG became a W3C web standard in 2001; it describes pictures as shapes and paths written in XML.
How do I open an SVG file?
Any browser displays SVG; Figma, Illustrator, Inkscape and Affinity edit it.
How do I convert SVG to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Image Converter, drop the SVG file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.