JPG to SVG: The Ultimate Conversion Guide

---

People share image files over the internet every now and then. In this tech-savvy age, you most certainly have shared an image online. However, digital images must be in specific formats to be shared from one device to another. Among these formats are JPG and SVG files. Various situations can warrant the need to convert JPG to SVG files.

Some people might wonder what these formats mean and how the conversion is done. This guide provides valuable insights into what JPG and SVG are. It also discusses the reasons that might push you to want SVG-only files and convert JPG digital images.

Why you may want to convert your files

According to a study, social media users share an astonishing 3.2 billion graphic files and 720,000 hours of videos every day. Those images aren't compatible with multiple devices or platforms by chance. They are in JPG and SVG file formats.

JPG is one of the most popularly used digital file formats. It is a low-resolution photographic file that has compressed image data, resulting in a much smaller file. The small size of JPG files increases the speed at which the file travels online, making it easy for people to share them from smartphones to PCs and vice versa.

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics, an EML-based graphic file format for 2D digital image formats designed to promote interactivity and animation. The significant difference between JPG and SVG is that the former is a compressed file format that uses a lossy compression algorithm. The chances of losing image data are high. In contrast, SVG is a text-based file format that creates images using mathematical vector structures, making them ideal for high-resolution image editing.

While the primary reason for converting JPG to SVG is to allow online file sharing, it's a common practice when you also need to share:

Logos

Individuals and businesses use logos in websites, business cards, posters, and magazines. If the logo is in JPG, it would be best to convert it to SVG to avoid ruining it when magnified.

Image editing

The high scalability of SVG files makes them perfect for further manipulation or editing. Thus, editors can change parts of the graphic file or background color while maintaining image sharpness.

Portability

Digital devices come in varied screen resolutions, and SVG files enable you to scale or downsize the image for PC and smartphone use without losing the image quality. Granted, SVG will have the desired characteristics in big-screen PCs and mobile phones.

How to convert JPG to SVG

Whether you're using Windows or macOS, you can change your JPG files to SVG hassle-free. There are multi-platform, open-source JPG to SVG software that is compatible with Windows and Mac. Examples include Inkscape, GIMP, and LibreOffice Draw. Read on to understand how to convert JPG to SVG.

JPG to SVG (Windows)

Follow the following simple steps when converting JPG to SVG on Windows:

1. Launch the converter - Open your converter software on your Windows PC and click the Upload option. That allows you to select your target JPG image file from your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, or cloud. Alternatively, you can drag it straight to the converter app's preview space.
2. Select the output destination – The output destination is where your converted files will go. Click Save to Folder or use the dropdown folder under Output Folder to select your preferred file destination.
3. Set to SVG format – Click Output Format to access another dropdown menu that includes the various file formats. To convert JPG to SVG, simply select SVG. That action ensures all the files you upload will be converted to SVG.
4. Convert JPG to SVG - Click the Convert button to start the conversion process. You can convert one JPG file at a time or small batches of JPG files. Once they're converted, your computer will automatically store them in SVG format in the output file you choose for later retrieval.

JPG to SVG (Mac)

Below is the procedure for converting JPG to SVG on Mac:

1. Run the software - Launch your JPG to SVG app on Mac. Upload your files from your device or drag them to the converter's preview pane.
2. Set to SVG format – Set the output format to SVG and click the Okay button to complete the conversion process. The converter will process JPG files to SVG within seconds.
3. Preview the Converting Results – Analyze the converting result to ensure you've achieved the desired image features. At this point, you can use the software's editing tools to modify the image as you please, from image edges, color numbers, and texture.
4. Export the SVG vector file image to your Mac after editing. You'll now have SVG vector files ready for sharing or further editing on other editing software, such as CorelDRAW.

Conclusion

JPG and SVG image files enable easy sharing of digital images over the internet. However, not always do JPG format files work for bigger screen resolutions because of their low resolution and increased risk of losing image clarity. SVG vector files solve the problem, thanks to their text-based formats that enable the image to maintain clarity and sharpness despite the resolution level.

Are you an image editing professional looking for high-value vector graphic software? Check out our product online and discover our full-suite of graphics applications to improve your editing outcomes.