Enable SVG Support in WordPress: A practical guide
For developers and domain owners looking to build fast, sustainable websites, the SVG file format is an indispensable tool. Unfortunately, since WordPress does not allow SVG uploads, users need to find their own workarounds to implement the file format.
As a WordPress agency that prizes user experience and sustainable web design, svaerm sees SVG images as an efficient way to boost website speed and decrease website carbon emissions. Since SVGs are not natively supported by WordPress, we explored the various technical solutions required to make the world’s most popular CMS compatible with one of the most efficient image file formats.
In this article, we’ll share our knowledge of the factors to consider when working with SVGs and tell you exactly how to enable SVG in WordPress.
Why use SVG?
As a highly efficient, scalable image format ideal for illustrations and graphics with simple color, SVG is surging in popularity and is a tool we frequently use in our website relaunches. Just 21.2% of websites used SVGs in 2020, but in 2025, that number rose to an impressive 61.3% of websites (W3Techs.com, 2025).
So, what makes SVG such a useful image format to modern web developers?
Advantages
The distinguishing trait of the SVG file format is vector-based images. Instead of using pixels like a raster image, SVGs identify the locations of their elements with coordinates. This means that they can scale infinitely, up or down, without any loss in image quality. Thanks to their consistent resolution and small file size, SVGs are the clear choice for logos, graphics, and icons.
Their compact file size and flexible vector format give SVGs many advantages:
- Infinite scaling: SVGs will remain sharp no matter how they are scaled, even on Retina screens.
- File size and loading speed: SVGs are much smaller than JPGs and PNGs of the same images, improving website performance and user experience.
- Sustainability: With quicker loading times and smaller file sizes comes reduced data center power consumption, thus lower carbon emissions and a more sustainable website.
- Ease of conversion: You can make or convert SVG files using common editing programs like Illustrator and Canva.
- Compatibility: Google indexes SVGs and they’re compatible with every modern browser.
- Flexibility: SVGs can even be animated, making them an efficient alternative to GIFs.
Sharp image scaling
Sustainable development
Faster website speeds
Compatibility
Considerations
Since SVGs use vectors and not pixels to record where elements of the image are placed, they can’t efficiently store photographs or complex 3D images. But we don’t consider this a disadvantage. It’s like saying that Celsius is no good for measuring distance—no file format is right for every possible application, but SVGs are great at what they do.
SVGs currently lack support for alternative texts, limiting their accessibility, but workarounds have already been developed. Additionally, if implemented improperly, they can sometimes be a security concern. Read on to learn more about how to safely upload SVGs.
Why doesn’t WordPress support SVGs?
Since the SVG file format is based on XML, it’s possible for an SVG file to contain active code. Because this active code could be used maliciously, WordPress has chosen not to enable the use of SVGs by default to minimize risk to their users.
So why allow SVG uploads in WordPress?
In reality, most web developers have sole control of their projects and are using SVG images from their own, trusted sources. In these cases, SVGs are more efficient, infinitely scalable, and just as safe as traditional formats like JPGs and PNGs. For most developers, it makes sense to enable SVG in WordPress.
Even projects that allow many users to upload or use SVG images from various sources can still safely use SVGs through plugins. Many WordPress plugins that enable the file type also include SVG sanitizers, which remove any potentially malicious or active code when the files are uploaded, protecting your website.
In short—SVGs are safe as long as you use your own images, a trusted partner or agency, or a plugin that features a sanitizer.
A quick tip on embedding SVGs…
While all modern browsers support SVG images, some recent versions of Internet Explorer don’t scale them properly. To fix this for your mobile and desktop IE9-11 users, you can simply add a fixed height or width to your SVG image in WordPress. Problem solved!
How to enable SVG uploads
There are two main ways to enable SVG in WordPress: adding a code snippet to your website or installing a plugin. Note that these solutions are implemented per website, not per theme.
1. Functions.php Code Snippet
Enabling the upload of SVGs to your WordPress website is as easy as copying and pasting a short code snippet into your website’s functions.php file. At svaerm, we use the code snippet below:
With this code snippet applied, you can now upload SVG images to your media gallery and use them as you would any other image format in WordPress.
2. SVG Plugins
To enable SVG in WordPress, you can also install one of a few plugins, such as WP SVG or Safe SVG. These plugins allow you to upload SVGs to your media library, but may also include other features like sanitizing their XML code or controlling upload permissions.
Which approach is right for you?
While each method has its pros and cons, we strongly recommend enabling SVGs through a code snippet and creating your own SVG files, or working with a partner or WordPress agency who can. This method is straightforward, safe, scalable, and efficient—and it avoids complicating your website with the premium plugins that other agencies and posts may try to sell you.
Certain plugins, especially page builders, add unnecessary functions and code to your website and increase the likelihood of unforeseen incompatibilities as WordPress and PHP are updated. Their redundant features may also clash with other existing plugins or those you install in the future. Even their initial implementation may come with error messages and a lengthy troubleshooting process. We recommend that you minimize the number of plugins used wherever possible.
That being said, if your project requires you to allow multiple users to upload images or you can’t make your own SVGs, plugins that offer security restrictions and sanitizers are still an option.
Conclusion
SVGs are an important asset in any modern web designer’s toolbox that can be safely enabled in WordPress through code snippets and plugins.
We hope our knowledge helped you identify the best way for your project to implement SVGs. At svaerm, we prioritize the comprehensive review and situation analysis that leads to the best possible solution for our clients and their target audiences. If our holistic approach to web design and project management sounds right for you, reach out to our agents using the contact form below. After receiving an initial written information about your project, we’ll be happy to advise you personally—by phone, via video call, or on-site.
