How to open a .svg file
Quick, free ways to open SVG on any system.
A .svg file is a Scalable Vector Graphics. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads SVG yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .svg file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .svg. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Any browser or Inkscape.
- On Mac, use Any browser or Inkscape.
- On Linux, try Any browser or Inkscape.
- Still stuck? Convert the .svg to PNG, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .svg files
Windows
- Any browser
- Inkscape
- Illustrator
- text editor
macOS
- Any browser
- Inkscape
- Illustrator
- text editor
Linux
- Any browser
- Inkscape
- text editor
Web
- Every browser renders SVG
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Before you open it: Mostly safe, with one caveat: an SVG can contain scripts. Open unknown SVGs in a viewer, not by embedding them directly, if you are unsure of the source.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .svg file?
Almost always because no installed app understands SVG. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
Can I edit an SVG in a text editor?
Yes. SVG is XML, so any code editor opens it. For visual editing, use Inkscape or Illustrator.
Why won't my SVG show up in Word?
Older Office versions have limited SVG support. Convert it to PNG for reliable display in documents.