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How to Edit SVG Files

SVG files are fully editable - change colors, resize elements, modify paths, and more. Learn how to edit SVGs with free and professional tools.

Create SVG to EditSee Editing Tools

What You Can Edit in SVG Files

Colors
Change fill colors, stroke colors, gradients, and opacity of any element
Size & Position
Scale, rotate, move, and transform elements without quality loss
Paths & Shapes
Modify anchor points, curves, and shapes or create new ones
Text
Edit text content, change fonts, adjust size and styling
Layers & Groups
Reorganize elements, group objects, change stacking order
Remove Elements
Delete unwanted parts, simplify graphics, clean up files

SVG Editing Tools

From free options to professional software - pick what works for you

Free Tools

Inkscape
Best free desktop SVG editor

Professional-grade vector editor that rivals Illustrator. Full SVG editing capabilities with an extensive toolset.

Best for:

  • • Complex path editing
  • • Professional vector work
  • • Users who want Illustrator features for free

Download: inkscape.org (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Figma
Browser-based design tool

Modern design tool with excellent SVG support. Free tier is generous for personal use. Great for UI/UX work.

Best for:

  • • Quick edits without installing software
  • • Collaborative editing
  • • UI/UX designers

Access: figma.com (browser-based)

SVG Edit (Online)
Simple browser-based editor

Lightweight online SVG editor for quick edits. No signup required. Good for simple color changes and modifications.

Best for:

  • • Quick, simple edits
  • • Color changes
  • • Users who don't want to install anything
Text Editor / VS Code
Edit SVG code directly

SVG is XML text - edit it in any text editor. Great for developers who are comfortable with code. VS Code has SVG preview extensions.

Best for:

  • • Developers
  • • Batch color changes (find/replace)
  • • Precise numeric edits

Professional (Paid) Tools

Adobe Illustrator
$22.99/month (Creative Cloud)

Industry standard vector editor with the most powerful SVG editing capabilities. Excellent for professional design work.

Best for:

  • • Professional designers
  • • Complex illustrations
  • • Print and digital workflows
Affinity Designer
$69.99 one-time purchase

Powerful Illustrator alternative with no subscription. Excellent SVG support and professional features at a fraction of the cost.

Best for:

  • • Users who hate subscriptions
  • • Professional quality on a budget
  • • Mac and Windows users

Common Editing Tasks: Step-by-Step

Changing Colors

In Design Software (Inkscape/Illustrator)

  1. Open the SVG file
  2. Click on the element you want to change
  3. Find the Fill or Stroke color option
  4. Pick your new color
  5. Save the file

In Code (Text Editor)

<!-- Find this: -->
<path fill="#FF0000" .../>

<!-- Change to: -->
<path fill="#0066CC" .../>

Use find/replace to change all instances of a color at once

Resizing Elements

In Design Software

  1. Select the element(s) to resize
  2. Drag corner handles to scale
  3. Hold Shift to maintain proportions
  4. Or enter exact dimensions in the toolbar

Resize Entire SVG

<!-- Change the viewBox or dimensions -->
<svg width="200" height="200"
     viewBox="0 0 100 100">
  ...
</svg>

The viewBox controls the internal coordinate system

Editing Text

If Text is Editable

  1. Double-click the text element
  2. Edit the text content
  3. Change font, size, color as needed
  4. Note: Font must be installed on your system

If Text is Converted to Paths

Many SVGs have text converted to paths (outlines) for compatibility. This text cannot be edited as text - you'd need to:

  • • Delete the old text paths
  • • Add new text elements
  • • Match the font and styling
Removing Elements

In Design Software

  1. Click on the element to select it
  2. Press Delete or Backspace
  3. For grouped elements, double-click to enter the group first

In Code

<!-- Delete the entire element -->
<path d="..." fill="red"/>  <!-- Remove this line -->

<!-- Or hide it with display:none -->
<path d="..." style="display:none"/>
Editing Paths & Shapes

In Design Software (Recommended)

  1. Select the path you want to edit
  2. Switch to the Node/Anchor Point tool (Inkscape: N key, Illustrator: A key)
  3. Click on anchor points to select them
  4. Drag points to move them, or drag handles to adjust curves
  5. Add new points by clicking on the path
  6. Delete points by selecting and pressing Delete

Path editing in code is complex - the "d" attribute contains path commands (M, L, C, Z, etc.). Use design software for path edits unless you're experienced with SVG path syntax.

SVG Editing Tips

Use Layers Panel
Complex SVGs have many overlapping elements. Use the Layers or Objects panel to see the structure and select specific elements that are hard to click.
Save Original
Before making major edits, save a copy of the original SVG. Some edits (like converting text to paths) can't be undone after saving.
Clean Up Code
After editing, SVGs can accumulate unnecessary code. Use SVGO or the "Save as Optimized SVG" option to clean up the file and reduce size.
Ungroup First
If you can't select individual elements, they might be grouped. Right-click and choose "Ungroup" (or press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+G) to access individual elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit any SVG file?

Yes, all SVG files are editable. However, some SVGs are more complex than others. Simple SVGs with clean paths are easy to edit. Complex SVGs with hundreds of elements, embedded images, or converted text require more work.

Why can't I edit the text in my SVG?

The text was likely converted to paths (outlines). This is common to ensure the text displays correctly without requiring the font to be installed. Path-based text can't be edited as text - you'd need to delete it and add new text.

What's the best free SVG editor?

Inkscape for full-featured desktop editing (closest to Illustrator). Figma for browser-based editing with a modern interface. For quick edits, an online SVG editor or even a text editor works.

Can I edit SVG on my phone?

Yes, but it's limited. Apps like Vectornator (iOS) and some online editors work on tablets. For complex editing, a desktop or laptop with proper design software is recommended.

How do I change all colors at once?

Open the SVG in a text editor and use Find & Replace. Search for the old color code (e.g., #FF0000) and replace with the new color (e.g., #0066CC). This changes every instance instantly.

Get Started with SVG

Need an SVG File to Edit?

Convert your images to editable SVG format. Then customize colors, sizes, and more.

Create SVG FreeWhat is SVG?

1 free credit • Fully editable output • Professional quality