WordPress and SVG Images

What are SVG Images?

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. SVG is an image format that uses XML-based vector graphics to represent images. Unlike raster image formats (such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF), which use pixels to represent an image, SVG images use mathematical equations to define and display shapes, lines, curves, and colors.

SVG images are highly scalable, meaning they can be resized without losing any image quality. They are also very lightweight, making them ideal for use on websites and other digital platforms where fast loading times are important.

SVG images can be created using various software tools, including Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, and Sketch. They can be used in a wide variety of applications, including web design, mobile app development, and digital marketing.

Overall, SVG images offer many advantages over traditional raster image formats, making them a popular choice for designers and developers looking to create high-quality, scalable graphics.

Why WordPress does not accept SVG images uploads?

WordPress used to support SVG images in the past, but due to security concerns, they disabled this feature in version 4.7.1, which was released in January 2017. The decision to disable SVG uploads was made because SVG files can contain embedded code that could potentially be used to execute malicious scripts, posing a security risk for WordPress sites.

Hackers could potentially use SVG images to inject malicious code into a site, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks or code execution. Since WordPress is used by millions of websites around the world, the risk of an attack could be significant. As a result, the WordPress development team decided to disable SVG uploads as a default feature.

However, there are ways to enable SVG uploads in WordPress if you are willing to take the necessary security precautions. One way is to install a plugin that enables SVG uploads and also includes additional security measures to prevent any potential security risks. Another option is to manually edit your site's code to allow SVG uploads, but this requires technical expertise and could pose a risk if not done properly.

In summary, WordPress does not accept uploading SVG images by default due to security concerns, but there are ways to enable it if necessary with additional security measures in place.

How to enable SVG uploads in WordPress?

Enabling SVG uploads in WordPress requires some technical knowledge and involves modifying WordPress's default settings. There are several ways to enable SVG uploads in WordPress, but the following method involves adding code to the site's functions.php file:

• Log in to your WordPress site's admin dashboard.
• Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor.
• On the right-hand side, you will see a list of theme files. Select functions.php from the list.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the functions.php file, and add the following code snippet:
  

      function add_file_types_to_uploads($file_types){
          $new_filetypes = array();
          $new_filetypes['svg'] = 'image/svg+xml';
          $file_types = array_merge($file_types, $new_filetypes );
          return $file_types;
      }
      add_filter('upload_mimes', 'add_file_types_to_uploads');
      

• Save the changes.

This code adds the SVG file type to the list of allowed file types that can be uploaded to your WordPress site.

Note: It's important to be aware that enabling SVG uploads can pose a security risk to your website, as SVG files can contain malicious code. Therefore, it's recommended to take additional security measures, such as using a plugin or manually checking SVG files for potential security threats, before enabling SVG uploads.