This specification defines the features and syntax for Scalable
Vector Graphics (SVG) Version 2. SVG is a language based on XML for describing
two-dimensional vector and mixed vector/raster graphics. SVG content is stylable,
scalable to different display resolutions, and can be viewed stand-alone,
mixed with HTML content, or embedded using XML namespaces within other XML languages.
SVG also supports dynamic changes; script can be used to create interactive documents,
and animations can be performed using declarative animation features or by using script.
Status of This Document
This section describes the status of this document at the time of its
publication. Other documents may supersede this document. A list of current W3C
publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in
the W3C technical reports index at http://www.w3.org/TR/.
This document is the 15 September 2015 Working Draft of SVG 2. This version of SVG
builds upon SVG 1.1 Second Edition
by improving the usability of the language and by adding new features commonly
requested by authors. The Changes appendix lists all
of the changes that have been made since SVG 1.1 Second Edition.
Comments on this Working Draft are welcome.
Comments can be sent to www-svg@w3.org,
the public email list for issues related to vector graphics on the Web. This list is
archived and
senders must agree to have their message publicly archived from their
first posting. To subscribe send an email to
www-svg-request@w3.org with
the word subscribe in the subject line.
The specification includes a number of annotations that the Working Group is
using to record links to meeting minutes and resolutions where specific decisions
about SVG features have been made. Different coloring is also used to mark the
maturity of different sections of the specification:
a red background indicates a section that is either unchanged since SVG
1.1 (and which therefore still requires review and possible rewriting for
SVG 2), or a section that is new but still requires substantial work
a yellow background indicates a section from SVG 1.1 that has been reviewed
and rewritten if necessary, or a new section that is complete and ready
for the rest of the Working Group to review
a white background indicates a section, either from SVG 1.1 or new for
SVG 2, that has been reviewed by the Working Group and which is ready
for wider review
In this Working Draft, by default, the background colors indicating
section maturity are hidden and only annotations that record specific
requirements for SVG 2 as part of our requirements gathering exercise are
visible. To view the section maturity background colors and any additional
annotations, the "All annotations" alternate style sheet can be used.
Publication as a Working Draft does not imply endorsement by the W3C Membership.
This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced or obsoleted by other documents
at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than work in progress.
A list of current W3C Recommendations and other technical documents can be found at
http://www.w3.org/TR/. W3C publications
may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time.
The SVG Working Group would like to thank the following people for
contributing to this specification with patches or by participating in discussions
that resulted in changes to the document:
David Dailey,
Eric Eastwood,
Daniel Holbert,
Paul LeBeau,
Robert Longson,
Henri Manson,
Philip Rogers,
David Zbarsky.
In addition, the SVG Working Group would like to acknowledge the
contributions of the editors and authors of the previous versions
of SVG – as much of the text in this document derives from these
earlier specifications – including:
Patrick Dengler, Microsoft Corporation <patd@microsoft.com> (Version 1.1 Second Edition)
Jon Ferraiolo, ex Adobe Systems <jferrai@us.ibm.com> (Versions 1.0 and 1.1 First Edition; until 10 May 2006)
Finally, the SVG Working Group would like to acknowledge the
great many people outside of the SVG Working Group who help with the
process of developing the SVG specifications. These people are too
numerous to list individually. They include but are not limited to
the early implementers of the SVG 1.0 and 1.1 languages (including
viewers, authoring tools, and server-side transcoders), developers of
SVG content, people who have contributed on the www-svg@w3.org and
svg-developers@yahoogroups.com email lists, other Working Groups at the
W3C, and the W3C Team. SVG 1.1 is truly a cooperative effort between
the SVG Working Group, the rest of the W3C, and the public and benefits
greatly from the pioneering work of early implementers and content
developers, feedback from the public, and help from the W3C team.