SVG Full Form

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

SVG is an abbreviation for Scalable Vector Graphics which is an XML-based file format used for the representation of two-dimensional vector graphics. SVG graphics are needed when there is a concern for high-quality graphics on web pages. The scalable graphics can be created using the <svg> element, which can be integrated easily into an HTML file. It has attributes like height and width to define an area where the vector will be created.

Table of Content

Features
SVG Components
Properties
Creating Scalable Vector Graphics
Advantages and Disadvantages

We will explore all the above concepts with the help of suitable examples.

Features

Support Animation: SVG provides the features to animations using <animate> element.
Styling with CSS: SVG supports styling and customization.
Scripting and dynamic manipulation: The SVG element can be manipulated dynamically with the help of JavaScript.
XML-based Format: SVG written in XML can easily be editable and can be manipulated according to the requirements.

SVG Components

The <svg> element is the container for SVG graphics. All the other SVG elements or components are wrapped inside it. The below table illustrates the elements that form shapes.

Components	Descriptions
Circle	The element used to create a circle.
Ellipse	The element used to define an ellipse.
Line	The element is used to draw a straight line between two points.
SVG Path	The element used for creating complex shapes using path data.
Polygon SVG	The element used to create a closed polygon shape.
Polyline SVG	The element used to draw a series of connected straight-line segments.
Rectangle SVG	The element used for creating a rectangle.
Text SVG	The element embeds text within the SVG.
Stroking SVG	It applies to stroke to an <g> element and groups multiple SVG elements together.

Please refer to the SVG Element Complete Reference article for the detailed descriptions.

Properties

The below table illustrates how each SVG property can be used for the specified SVG elements on a web page along with their description.

Property	Descriptions
width	Give the width of the SVG element in pixels.
height	Give the height of the SVG element in pixels.
stroke	Provide the outline to the shape.
stroke-width	Defines the thickness of the stroke.
fill	Fill the color inside the shape of the SVG element

Creating Scalable Vector Graphics

Create the <svg> element, and include the width and height as attributes in pixels. There are several elements like circles, ellipses, etc., to make shapes wrap the element inside <svg> element. Give different attributes to the element shapes for styling purposes.

Example 1: The below example illustrates the basic example of Scalable Vector Graphics for creating a circle.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport"
          content="width=device-width,
                   initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Input type</title>
</head>

<body>
    <svg width="200" height="200">
        <circle cx="100" 
                cy="100" 
                r="50" 
                stroke="green" 
                stroke-width="2" 
                fill="yellow" />
    </svg>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Example 2: The below example illustrates the basic example of Scalable Vector Graphics for creating rectangles.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" 
          content="width=device-width, 
                initial-scale=1.0">
    <title> SVG Rectangle </title>
</head>

<body>
    <h1 style="color: green;">
        GeeksforGeeks
    </h1>
    <h3>SVG Rectangle</h3>

    <svg width="120" 
         height="120">
        <rect x="20"
              y="20" 
              rx="16" 
              ry="16" 
              width="85" 
              height="85"
              stroke="green"
              stroke-width="2" 
              fill="greenyellow">
        </rect>
    </svg>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

High Quality: SVG images are vector-based, providing high-resolution images helps when the responsiveness of the website is taken into, measure.
Small file size: SVG is based on XML- format, having a small file size as compared to any other file type.
Easy to use: SVG files are plain text XML, and code can be created and edited easily on any IDE.
SEO Optimizing: The SVG performs better as compared to other file type for graphics the SVG code can easily be accessible to search engines.

Disadvantages

Complexity: Creating detailed graphics makes the code complex.
Learning Curve: SVG takes more time to learn for designers and developers who are not familiar with vector graphics or XML.
Limited filter effects: SVG has limited filter effects, it is not suitable for making photographs as compared to raster graphics formats.

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Article Tags :

SVG Full Form

Features

SVG Components

Properties

Creating Scalable Vector Graphics

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Disadvantages

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