What is SVG?
SVG is a text-based vector graphics format defined by XML markup. Because it's vector-based, SVG images can be scaled infinitely without any loss of quality. The format is perfect for logos, icons, diagrams, and illustrations.
SVG is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is fully integrated into modern web browsers. SVG files can be created and edited with text editors or vector graphics software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.
Features
- Infinite scalability without quality loss
- Small file sizes for simple graphics
- CSS styling and animation support
- JavaScript manipulation
- Text remains searchable and selectable
- Accessibility features (titles, descriptions)
- Gradient and filter effects
- Transparency support
- Can be compressed with gzip
- Ideal for responsive design
Use Cases
Perfect For
- Logos and brand graphics
- Icons and interface elements
- Illustrations and diagrams
- Charts and data visualizations
- Infographics
- Responsive web graphics
- Print materials at any size
- Animated graphics
Not Recommended For
- Photographs (use JPEG or WebP)
- Complex images with many colors/gradients
- Images requiring photographic detail
Advantages
- Scales perfectly to any size
- Small file sizes for simple graphics
- Can be styled with CSS
- Animated with CSS or JavaScript
- SEO-friendly (text is readable by search engines)
- Accessible to screen readers
- Editable with text editors
- Perfect for responsive design
- Looks sharp on retina displays
Technical Information
SVG files are XML documents that describe shapes, paths, text, and other graphical elements. They can be created manually or generated by vector graphics editors. The format supports various shape primitives, gradients, filters, and transformations.
| File extension | .svg, .svgz (compressed) |
| MIME type | image/svg+xml |
| Type | Vector graphics (XML-based) |
| Standard | W3C Recommendation |
| Scalability | Infinite without quality loss |