SVG Converter
Trace bitmap images into scalable SVG vector graphics. Adjust threshold to get the best result.
What this tool actually does
The SVG Converter performs threshold tracing: it examines your bitmap pixel by pixel, keeps every pixel darker than the threshold you set, and emits those pixels as vector rectangles in a single-color SVG. The result is a scalable, editable vector silhouette of your image — the kind of output that works beautifully for logos, icons, stamps, signatures, and line art, and (by design) not for photographs.
A worked example
Suppose you drop in a 1600×900 scan of a black logo on white paper. The tool first downsamples it by a factor of 0.125 (to 200×113, keeping the longest edge at 200px) so the trace stays fast and the SVG stays small. Then, at the default threshold of 128, each pixel's brightness — the average of its red, green, and blue values — decides its fate: a dark logo pixel like rgb(40, 44, 52) averages 45, which is below 128, so it's traced; a paper pixel like rgb(235, 238, 240) averages 238, well above 128, so it's dropped. Adjacent traced pixels in each row are merged into single rectangles, which is why clean high-contrast art produces compact SVGs.
Using the threshold slider well
The threshold is the whole game. If parts of your logo vanish, they're brighter than the cutoff — raise the threshold to include them. If background noise or paper texture appears, lower it. Scans of pencil sketches usually want a high threshold (180–220); crisp black-on-white digital art is happy near the 128 default; faded stamps and light-gray marks may need experimentation at both extremes. The preview re-traces when you release the slider, so iterate freely.
What to do with the output
Because SVG is a text format, the download opens directly in Figma, Illustrator, or Inkscape, where you can recolor the shape (it exports in a single dark ink color), smooth paths, or combine it with other artwork. It also drops straight into HTML, scales to any size without pixelation, and can be turned into a cutting-machine file. For multi-color vectorization of photos or gradients you'll need a desktop tracer like Inkscape's trace-bitmap — that's beyond what a fast in-browser threshold trace can honestly deliver.
How to use SVG Converter
- 1Upload a JPG or PNG image (logos and simple shapes work best).
- 2Adjust the threshold slider for the desired detail.
- 3Preview the SVG result over the checkerboard.
- 4Download the SVG file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my photo look blocky?
Threshold tracing reduces every pixel to a yes/no decision, which suits high-contrast logos and line art. Photographs have gradients that a single threshold can't represent — that blockiness is inherent to the method, not a bug.
How big is the output?
The trace is downsampled to 200px on the longest edge before vectorizing. That keeps SVGs small and tracing instant, at the cost of fine detail — another reason this is a logo tool, not a photo tool.
Can I edit it later?
Yes — SVG is a plain-text vector format. The download opens in Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma, or any code editor, where you can recolor and reshape it.
Why is the result one color?
The tracer separates 'ink' from 'background' by brightness, producing a single-color layer. Multi-color tracing needs clustering algorithms that belong in desktop software.
What threshold should I start with?
128 (the default) for crisp black-on-white art. Raise it toward 200 if strokes are disappearing; lower it if background noise shows up.
Limitations & Privacy
- Output is monochrome and downsampled to 200px on the longest edge — detail beyond that resolution is lost by design.
- Photographs, gradients, and multi-color art do not trace meaningfully; this tool is for logos, icons, signatures, and line art.
- The SVG is built from row rectangles, not smooth bezier paths — at very large sizes edges look stepped. Run it through a path smoother if you need print-grade curves.
- Privacy: the image is read and traced entirely in your browser; neither the bitmap nor the SVG is uploaded anywhere.