SVG 1.1 vs SVG 2.0: Standards Comparison
SVG 2.0 adds powerful new features over SVG 1.1 — but browser support is patchy. Here's what changed and what you can safely use today.
What SVG 2.0 Adds
SVG 2.0 modernizes the SVG specification with CSS integration and new functionality.
- CSS integration: SVG 2.0 uses CSS layout (flexbox, grid) inside SVG elements
- Geometry properties: x, y, r, cx, cy as CSS properties (not just attributes)
- Path data improvements: new relative arc commands and whitespace handling
- Text improvements: text on paths, better text flow
- Mesh gradients: complex gradient meshes (limited browser support)
Browser Support Reality (2025)
SVG 2.0 is partially implemented — feature support varies widely.
- Geometry CSS properties: Chrome 81+, Firefox 69+ — well supported
- Mesh gradients: Chrome 99+ (behind flag) — avoid for production
- Full SVG 2.0 spec: no browser is fully compliant
- Safe recommendation: target SVG 1.1 features for broadest compatibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use SVG 2.0 features today?
Use SVG 2.0 features that have broad browser support (geometry CSS properties, CSS integration). Avoid features with limited support in production.
Do design tools export SVG 2.0?
Most export SVG 1.1. Illustrator, Figma, and Inkscape target SVG 1.1 compatibility.
Is SVG 2.0 a W3C standard?
SVG 2.0 is a W3C Candidate Recommendation (CR), not a full standard yet. SVG 1.1 remains the stable standard.
What's the best SVG version to target for web use?
SVG 1.1 for broadest compatibility. Use progressive enhancement for SVG 2.0 features where they meaningfully improve the experience.
Does imagetosvg.com output SVG 2.0?
imagetosvg.com outputs SVG 1.1, which has universal browser support and is compatible with all design tools.
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