What Is a .svg File? .svg Format, MIME & How to Open

Quick facts

Extension.svg

File typeSVG Vector Image

MIME typeimage/svg+xml

CategoryImage

Charset—

CompressibleYes

Format familysvg

What is .svg

What is a .svg file?

A .svg file is a SVG Vector Image — XML-based vector image format for logos, icons and diagrams.

In the mime-db registry it maps to image/svg+xml, and it is marked as compressible. When serving .svg over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to image/svg+xml and is used by SVG among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .svg files

Use Figma or Illustrator to open and edit .svg files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: image/svg+xml

Common software that reads/writes .svg:

FigmaIllustratorInkscapeChrome

Relation chain

.svgextension of

format

svgserved as

mime type

image/svg+xmlsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

SVG

.svg

Common uses

Web graphics and photos
Design assets and icons
Print and photography

How to edit .svg files

Open the file with Figma, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .svg files

Create a new file and save it with the .svg extension, or export this format from Figma.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .svg files?

Common options include Figma, Illustrator, Inkscape. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .svg file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .svg extension.

What is the relationship between .svg and the image/svg+xml MIME type?

image/svg+xml is the media type identifier used for .svg files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

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