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SVG Tutorial

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics.

SVG defines vector-based graphics in XML format.


Examples in Each Chapter

With our "Try it Yourself" editor, you can edit the SVG, and click on a button to view the result.

SVG Example

<html>
<body>

<h1>My first SVG</h1>

<svg width="100" height="100">
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="green" stroke-width="4" fill="yellow" />
</svg>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself »

What you should already know

Before you continue, you should have some basic understanding of the following:

  • HTML
  • Basic XML

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.


What is SVG?

  • SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics
  • SVG is used to define vector-based graphics for the Web
  • SVG defines the graphics in XML format
  • Every element and every attribute in SVG files can be animated
  • SVG is a W3C recommendation
  • SVG integrates with other W3C standards such as the DOM and XSL


SVG is a W3C Recommendation

SVG 1.0 became a W3C Recommendation on 4 September 2001.

SVG 1.1 became a W3C Recommendation on 14 January 2003.

SVG 1.1 (Second Edition) became a W3C Recommendation on 16 August 2011.


SVG Advantages

Advantages of using SVG over other image formats (like JPEG and GIF) are:

  • SVG images can be created and edited with any text editor
  • SVG images can be searched, indexed, scripted, and compressed
  • SVG images are scalable
  • SVG images can be printed with high quality at any resolution
  • SVG images are zoomable
  • SVG graphics do NOT lose any quality if they are zoomed or resized
  • SVG is an open standard
  • SVG files are pure XML

Creating SVG Images

SVG images can be created with any text editor, but it is often more convenient to create SVG images with a drawing program, like Inkscape.