.SVG File Extension
Scalable Vector Graphics File
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
4.3 | 332 Votes |
| Category | Vector Image Files |
| Format | XML |
What is an SVG file?
An SVG file is a graphic saved in a two-dimensional vector graphic format created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It stores information that describes an image in a text format that is based on XML. SVG files may include vector shapes, embedded raster graphics (also known as bitmap images), and text.
The SVG format is an open standard developed under the W3C, with contributions from Adobe, and initially released in 2001. The W3C has released several SVG specifications since 2001, including SVG 1.1, SVG Tiny 1.2, and SVG 2.0.
Graphics professionals commonly use SVG files for storing web, mobile, and print graphics. Web designers also often publish graphics online in the SVG format since they are scalable and can be modified with CSS and scripting languages, such as JavaScript.
You can create SVG graphics with various tools, but one of the most prominent ones utilized by professionals is Adobe Illustrator (Windows and macOS). To export a design as an SVG file with Illustrator, select or , and choose SVG from the format dropdown menu.
NOTE: If you need to reduce the size of an SVG file (helpful when transferring graphics online), you can export it as an .SVGZ file. When you do this, the SVG graphic is compressed with the gzip algorithm.
How do I open an SVG file?
You can open SVG files with various image editors, including Adobe Illustrator, Corel PaintShop Pro (Windows), Inkscape (multiplatform), and GIMP (multiplatform).
Web browsers, such as Google Chrome (multiplatform), Microsoft Edge (multiplatform), Mozilla Firefox (multiplatform), and Apple Safari (multiplatform), also support SVG files.
NOTE: Since SVG files are saved in a text format based on XML you can create, modify, and save SVG files with text and XML editors.