What is a SVG file?
SVG is an XML-based vector image format standardised by the W3C in 2001. Because it stores shapes and paths rather than pixels, it renders sharply at any size and stays tiny for logos and icons. It is text, so it can be edited in any editor and styled with CSS.
At a glance
- Full name
- Scalable Vector Graphics
- Extensions
- .svg
- Type
- Image
- Introduced
- 2001
- Created by
- W3C
- Compression
- None
- MIME type
- image/svg+xml
Strengths
- Resolution independent, sharp at any size or zoom
- Very small for logos, icons and diagrams
- Editable as text, scriptable, and styleable with CSS
Limitations
- Unsuitable for photographs
- Complex files can be slow to render
- Can carry scripts, so treat SVGs from untrusted sources with care
When to use SVG
Logos, icons, charts and illustrations that must stay sharp on any screen.
The source is a photograph, or the destination cannot render vectors.
Convert SVG files
Every tool below runs in your browser unless it is labelled otherwise, so the file stays on your device.
SVG to PNG
Rasterizes SVG vector files into crisp, high-DPI PNG images at whatever output resolution your website or app design needs.
Image to SVG (Trace)
Traces a raster image into a scalable vector SVG, useful for logos and simple graphics that need to resize without blurring.
SVG compared
Related image formats
Last updated 2026-08-03