Unraveling the Mysteries of Uploading SVG Files in WordPress

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a popular CMS that is easy to use for all users, regardless of their technical expertise. You can upload various file formats to your website, including images, videos, and audio files.

What are SVG files?

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a vector-based graphic format that allows for high-quality images without loss of resolution.

Is it safe to upload SVG files to WordPress?

SVG files can be dangerous if they contain malicious code or scripts. By default, WordPress does not allow SVG file uploads for security reasons. However, if you are uploading SVG files from a trusted source or have created the SVG file yourself, you can safely upload it to your site.

Step-by-Step Guide for Uploading SVG Files in WordPress

Step 1: Create the SVG File

To upload an SVG file to your WordPress site, you first need to create one. You can use software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to create vector graphics and save them as SVG files. Alternatively, you can search for royalty-free SVG images on websites such as Freepik or FlatIcon.

Step 2: Compress the SVG File

Before uploading the SVG file to WordPress, you need to ensure that it is optimized for the web. SVG files can be large in size, and large file sizes can slow down your website’s loading speed. To optimize your SVG files, you can use online tools such as SVGOMG, which can reduce the file size without reducing the quality of the image.

Step 3: Upload the SVG File to WordPress

To upload an SVG file to WordPress, you need to access the WP-Admin dashboard of your website. From there, click on Media > Add New, drag and drop the SVG file into the upload area or click on Select Files to browse for the file on your computer, and WordPress will upload the file to your site’s media library.

Step 4: Edit the functions.php File

If you encounter an error message that says “Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons” when trying to upload an SVG file, you need to edit the functions.php file of your theme to enable SVG file uploads in WordPress. The functions.php file is a PHP file that contains code that affects the functionality of your site. You can access the file by navigating to Appearance > Theme Editor and adding the following code at the bottom of the file:

/* Allow SVG file upload */
function allow_svg_upload( $mimes ) {
  $mimes['svg'] = 'image/svg+xml';
  return $mimes;
}
add_filter( 'upload_mimes', 'allow_svg_upload' );

Step 5: Upload the SVG File

After editing the functions.php file, you can now upload the SVG file to your WordPress site by following the instructions in Step 3.

Final Thoughts

Uploading SVG files in WordPress without using a plugin is easy if you follow the steps outlined above. Remember to compress your SVG files before uploading them and to edit the functions.php file to enable SVG file uploads. SVG files can improve the visual appeal of your website and can even help with your site’s SEO. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating and uploading your SVG files today!