SVG for Beginners
Everything You Need to Know
New to vector graphics? This comprehensive guide will teach you everything about SVG, from the basics to practical applications.
What is SVG?
SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. Unlike traditional image formats like PNG or JPG that store images as a grid of colored pixels, SVG files contain mathematical descriptions of shapes, lines, and colors.
Think of it this way: a PNG is like a photo made of tiny colored dots. An SVG is like a set of instructions that tell the computer exactly how to draw an image from scratch.
Simple Example
Here's what an SVG circle looks like in code:
<svg width="100" height="100">
<circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" fill="#1cb721" />
</svg>This tells the browser: "Draw a circle at position 50,50 with radius 40 and fill it green."
Why Use SVG? Key Benefits
Infinite Scalability
SVGs look perfectly sharp at any size. Zoom in 1000% and they're still crisp. This makes them perfect for logos, icons, and responsive designs.
Small File Size
Simple SVGs are often much smaller than equivalent PNG files. A logo that's 50KB as PNG might be just 2KB as SVG.
Easy to Style
You can change SVG colors, sizes, and effects with CSS. Perfect for hover effects, dark mode, and dynamic theming.
Editable & Animatable
Open an SVG in any text editor and modify it. Add animations with CSS or JavaScript for interactive graphics.
SVG vs. Raster Images (PNG, JPG)
| Feature | SVG | PNG/JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling | Infinite, always sharp | Gets pixelated |
| File size (icons) | Very small (1-5KB) | Larger (10-50KB) |
| CSS styling | Full control | Limited |
| Animation | Native support | Requires GIF/video |
| Photographs | Not ideal | Perfect |
Common Uses for SVG
Logos
Sharp at any size, from favicon to billboard
Icons
Lightweight icons that style with CSS
Illustrations
Scalable artwork for any screen
Charts
Interactive data visualizations
Animations
Smooth, lightweight motion graphics
Maps
Interactive, zoomable maps
How to Use SVG on Your Website
1. As an Image
The simplest way - use it like any other image:
<img src="logo.svg" alt="Logo" />2. Inline in HTML
Paste the SVG code directly for full CSS control:
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="..." />
</svg>3. As CSS Background
Use as a background image in CSS:
.hero {
background-image: url("pattern.svg");
}Continue Learning
Create Your Own SVGs
Don't have vector design skills? No problem! VectoSolve converts your PNG and JPG images to perfect SVG vectors using AI.
Convert Images to SVG