SVG Image File Shows XML Code Instead Of Image

SVG Image Files Displaying as XML Code? Here's How to Fix It

Discover why your SVG files might be rendering as raw XML code instead of images and learn practical solutions, including server configuration and proper embedding techniques.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) are powerful, resolution-independent image formats perfect for web use. However, a common frustration for developers is when an SVG file, instead of displaying as an image, renders as a block of raw XML code directly in the browser. This issue typically stems from incorrect server configuration or improper embedding methods, preventing the browser from interpreting the file as an image. This article will guide you through the common causes and provide actionable solutions to ensure your SVGs display correctly.

Understanding the Root Cause: MIME Types

The primary reason browsers display SVG files as XML code is often due to an incorrect or missing MIME type being sent by the web server. When a browser requests a file, the server sends a Content-Type header along with the file's data. This header tells the browser what kind of file it's receiving. For SVG files, the correct MIME type is image/svg+xml. If the server sends text/xml, application/xml, or no Content-Type header at all, the browser defaults to displaying the file's raw content, which for an SVG, is its underlying XML structure.

flowchart TD
    A[Browser Requests SVG] --> B{Web Server Responds}
    B -->|Content-Type: image/svg+xml| C[Browser Renders SVG Image]
    B -->|Content-Type: text/xml OR Missing| D[Browser Displays Raw XML Code]
    C -- Optimal Flow --> E[User Sees Image]
    D -- Problematic Flow --> F[User Sees Code]

Flowchart illustrating how MIME types affect SVG rendering in a browser.

Server Configuration: The .htaccess File

For Apache web servers, the most common solution involves configuring the .htaccess file to explicitly tell the server to send the correct MIME type for SVG files. This ensures that any SVG file served from that directory (and its subdirectories) will be accompanied by the image/svg+xml header. This is a crucial step for many hosting environments.

<IfModule mod_mime.c>
  AddType image/svg+xml .svg .svgz
  AddEncoding gzip .svgz
</IfModule>

Adding SVG MIME type to an Apache .htaccess file.

Alternative Embedding Methods and Considerations

While server configuration is key, how you embed the SVG into your HTML can also play a role. Directly linking to an SVG file via an <img> tag relies heavily on the server's MIME type. Using <object>, <iframe>, or embedding the SVG inline (<svg>...</svg>) offers more control or different rendering behaviors.

Using tag

Using