SVG Markers for Arrowheads
Marker elements attach reusable shapes like arrowheads to the start, end, or vertices of a line or path.
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Defining and Attaching a Marker
A <marker> element defines a reusable small graphic (like an arrowhead triangle) with its own viewBox and orientation settings, and attaching it to a path or line via the marker-start, marker-end, or marker-mid attributes places that graphic automatically at the specified position, oriented correctly along the path's direction.
- marker element defines a reusable graphic like an arrowhead shape
- marker-start, marker-end, and marker-mid attach it to specific path positions
- Orientation follows the path's direction automatically at the attachment point
Common Uses for SVG Markers in Diagrams
Markers are the standard technique for adding directional arrowheads to flowchart connectors, network diagrams, and mathematical vector illustrations, and because a marker definition is reused across every line that references it, updating the arrowhead's style in one place automatically updates every arrow throughout an entire diagram.
- Standard technique for directional arrowheads in flowcharts and diagrams
- One marker definition is reused across every line that references it
- Updating the shared marker style updates every arrow throughout the diagram
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a marker for something other than an arrowhead, like a dot?
Yes, a marker can contain any SVG shape, so circles, squares, or custom icon shapes work equally well as arrowheads for marking data points, waypoints, or line endpoints in a diagram.
Do markers automatically rotate to match the direction of a curved path?
Yes, when the marker's orient attribute is set to auto, it automatically rotates to align with the path's tangent direction at that point, keeping arrowheads pointed correctly even along curved lines.
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