SVG file format: what it is and how to use it

SVG is the web's vector image format: resolution-free graphics as XML that scale infinitely, style with CSS and animate with code. Learn when to use it and what to choose instead.

View SVG files Convert to SVG

Files stay on your device

  • No uploadsFiles stay on your device
  • Batch processingHandle multiple files at once
  • 100% privateNo sign-up, no tracking

What is a SVG file?

An .svg file is an image in Scalable Vector Graphics, the W3C standard describing graphics as XML: paths, shapes, gradients, text and filters that render at any resolution without a pixel in sight. Because it is markup it compresses beautifully, styles with CSS, animates with JavaScript and is indexed by search engines. It is the only image format that is also code.

When should you use SVG?

  • Icons, logos and illustrations: sharp at every size, one file for all resolutions.
  • Web graphics: inline in HTML, styled by CSS, animated by JS.
  • Text-driven design: hand-editable, diffable, scriptable graphics.

When is another format a better fit?

For photographs and raster content, PNG/JPG/WebP are the right shape, since SVG only stores vectors. For print interchange PDF; for legacy vector hand-off EPS. And never put untrusted SVG inline, because it can carry script.

The short version: SVG is vector graphics for the web: resolution-free, stylable, animatable, the right answer for everything that is not a photo.

How to open a SVG file

On Windows

Double-click the file, or open it with Inkscape.

On macOS

Adobe Illustrator opens SVG files on macOS.

In your browser

Open SVG files right in a browser tab or with the dexrr viewer. No install, no upload.

Also opens in

  • Any web browser
  • Inkscape
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Figma

View or convert SVG files

A quick preview or a new format. No install, no upload.

View SVG files Preview and inspect SVG files Convert to SVG Turn files into SVG SVG to PS PostScript SVG to PDF Portable Document Format SVG to PNG Portable Network Graphics

SVG technical details

Full name
Scalable Vector Graphics
Extensions
.svg .svgz
MIME type
image/svg+xml
Magic bytes
3C 3F 78 6D 6C / 3C 73 76 67 (XML, <svg)
Compression
None (uncompressed)
Developer
W3C
Specification
www.w3.org

SVG questions, answered

How do I open an .svg file?

Every browser displays it; Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma and vector editors edit it. dexrr displays and converts svg files directly in your browser.

Can I convert SVG files online?

Yes, dexrr converts svg locally in your browser: SVG to PNG for raster output, SVG to PDF for print or SVG to EPS for legacy pipelines.

Is SVG better than PNG?

For anything vector, meaning icons, logos and diagrams, yes: infinitely scalable at a fraction of the size. For photographs, PNG is the right tool; SVG cannot store pixels.

Why does my SVG look wrong in an old browser?

Modern SVG features (filters, CSS styling, fonts) degrade differently across engines. Export a PNG fallback for maximum reach.

Is the SVG format outdated?

No, it is the living W3C standard for vector graphics and the default for icons and illustrations on the modern web.