SVG file format
Scalable Vector Graphics
SVG is a vector format written in XML. It scales to any size without losing sharpness, which makes it ideal for logos and icons — but many apps and platforms only accept raster images.
| Property | SVG |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .svg |
| MIME type | image/svg+xml |
| Introduced | 2001 by W3C |
| Compression | None (text / XML; gzip as .svgz) |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Animation | Yes (SMIL / CSS) |
| Colour depth | Unlimited (vector) |
| Support | All modern browsers and design apps |
| Best for | Logos, icons, illustrations, charts |
What is an SVG file?
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based vector image format published by the W3C in 2001. Instead of storing pixels, an SVG describes shapes — paths, circles, text and gradients — with coordinates, so it can be drawn sharply at any size, from a 16-pixel icon to a billboard.
Because SVG is plain text, it can be edited in a code editor, styled with CSS, animated, and compressed very effectively with gzip.
Strengths and weaknesses of SVG
SVG is resolution-independent and usually tiny for logos and icons. Every modern browser renders it, and design tools like Figma, Illustrator and Inkscape export it natively.
It's unsuitable for photos, and many destinations — social networks, Office documents, email clients, app stores — require raster images instead. SVGs can also contain scripts, so many upload forms block them for security reasons. Fonts and linked images may render differently on devices that lack them.
When should you use SVG?
Use SVG for logos, icons, illustrations and charts on websites. Export to PNG (with transparency) or JPG when you need a pixel image for a platform that doesn't accept SVG.