File Format Guide
What is a .SVG file?
The SVG format (short for Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector image format that stores its data uncompressed, keeping the exact original at the cost of larger files. Because it stores artwork as math rather than fixed pixels, SVG images scale to any size without ever becoming blurry. SVG files open natively in every modern web browser.
.SVG at a glance
| Category | Image |
|---|---|
| Type | Vector |
| Compression | None |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Scalable (vector) | Yes |
| Animation / motion | Yes |
| Open standard | No |
| Opens in web browsers | Yes |
| Typical file size | Small |
How to open a .SVG file
You can open SVG files with every browser, Illustrator, Inkscape, and Figma. If a program on your device cannot read one, the quickest fix is to convert it to a more common format — no software install required.
SVG pros and cons
Strengths
- scales to any size with no quality loss
- tiny files for icons and logos
- editable as text and styleable with CSS
Limitations
- not suitable for photographs
- complex files can render differently across apps
What .SVG files are used for
- logos and icons
- illustrations and diagrams
- resolution-independent web graphics
Need to convert a .SVG file?
Convert SVG to and from other formats free in your browser — no signup to start, no watermarks.
Open the SVG Converter