How to turn an SVG into CSS

Why put an SVG in the stylesheet

A small icon does not always deserve its own file and its own request. A data URI keeps the drawing inside the CSS, and the browser still paints it as a vector. That is a different job from exporting a PNG: the shape stays sharp at any size, and there is no image file to deploy.

The SVG to CSS Converter turns SVG markup into that URI in the browser. You pick a preset: a bare url(...), a background-image line, a fuller background rule, a list bullet, or a class. Nothing is uploaded.

Step by step

1. Open the SVG to CSS Converter. Paste the SVG into the box, or drop an .svg file on the upload zone. A short icon is the right size for this. A full illustration will make the stylesheet heavy.
2. Pick a preset under Output Presets. Basic Background Image is the useful default: one background-image declaration. URL Wrapper gives only url('...') if you already have the rest of the rule. Advanced Background Image adds repeat, position and size.

   

3. The page shows two previews: the icon as a CSS background, and the original SVG next to it. Under them, Generated CSS Code holds the rule. Copy CSS puts it on the clipboard. Download .css saves a file.

   

4. Paste the rule onto the element that should show the icon. Give that element a width and a height, otherwise a background image has nothing to draw into.

What the converter changes

The tool strips the XML declaration and comments, collapses extra whitespace, and URL-encodes the markup. The result starts with data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,. The SVG is still text inside the URL, not a separate bitmap.

Advanced Background Image is the preset to open when the icon should sit in a corner. Horizontal and vertical positions take left, center or right and top, center or bottom, plus an offset. A negative offset from the right edge becomes a calc(100% - …) position. Background Size accepts contain, cover, or a length.

Tips

• Keep the SVG small. A data URI travels with every stylesheet that includes it. Icons of a few lines are the right fit.
• Set a box size in your own CSS. The generated line does not set width or height.
• Prefer the basic preset until you need position. Extra background properties are easy to add later, and the preview updates as you change them.
• Check the raw preview. If the SVG is invalid, the raw pane shows an error instead of the drawing.
• The markup stays in the browser. Pasting a logo here does not send it anywhere.

FAQ

Does this export a PNG?

No. The SVG stays a vector inside a data:image/svg+xml URI. For a bitmap, use an image converter instead.

Which preset should I start with?

Basic Background Image, if you want a CSS background. URL Wrapper, if you only need the url(...) value. CSS Bullets writes a list-style-image rule. Inside Class wraps the background in .svg-icon.

Is the SVG uploaded?

No. Encoding happens in the browser.

Can I position the icon?

Yes. Choose Advanced Background Image, set horizontal and vertical position, and add an offset. The preview and the generated rule both update.

Related tools

• SVG to CSS Converter: the tool in this guide.
• Favicon Generator: turn one image into a full icon set.
• CSS Unit Converter: convert the px in the surrounding layout.
• Web Tools: the rest of this category.

Try it now

Open the SVG to CSS Converter, paste an icon and copy the background rule.