---
title: ".svg file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .svg file is a Scalable Vector Graphics. An XML text format describing shapes rather than pixels, so it stays sharp at any size. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/svg/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .svg files

**.svg file: Scalable Vector Graphics**

An XML text format describing shapes rather than pixels, so it stays sharp at any size.

## What opens a .svg file

- **Windows:** Any web browser, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Visual Studio Code (to edit the markup)
- **macOS:** Any web browser, Preview (built in), Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator
- **Linux:** Any web browser, Inkscape, GIMP (rasterises on import)
- **In a browser:** Any web browser, Figma, SVGOMG

## What a .svg file is

SVG is a W3C standard from 2001 that stores drawings as maths — paths, curves and fills — instead of a grid of pixels, so it scales to any size without blurring. Because it is XML text you can open one in a code editor and read it, and browsers render it directly. The catch is that an SVG can contain scripts, so treat files from strangers with the same care as any downloaded web page.

## Converting it

A .svg file is commonly converted to .png, .pdf, .eps, .ai or .jpg. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .svg
- **Full name:** Scalable Vector Graphics
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/svg+xml
- **Created by:** W3C
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .svg file?

On Windows use Any web browser; on macOS use Any web browser; on Linux use Any web browser. An XML text format describing shapes rather than pixels, so it stays sharp at any size.

### What is a .svg file?

Scalable Vector Graphics. SVG is a W3C standard from 2001 that stores drawings as maths — paths, curves and fills — instead of a grid of pixels, so it scales to any size without blurring. Because it is XML text you can open one in a code editor and read it, and browsers render it directly.

### Can I convert a .svg file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .png, .pdf, .eps, .ai or .jpg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.jpg — JPEG Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpg/)
- [.png — Portable Network Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/png/)
- [.jpeg — JPEG Image (four-letter form)](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpeg/)
- [.heic — High Efficiency Image Container](https://atoneplace.net/file/heic/)
- [.webp — WebP Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/webp/)
- [.gif — Graphics Interchange Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/gif/)
- [.psd — Adobe Photoshop Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/psd/)
- [.ai — Adobe Illustrator Artwork](https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/)
- [.avif — AV1 Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/avif/)
- [.tiff — Tagged Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/tiff/)
- [.raw — Camera Raw Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/raw/)
- [.ico — Windows Icon](https://atoneplace.net/file/ico/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)