Free online PNG to SVGZ converter

A publishing system, graphics editor, or archive may require a compressed SVG file instead of a PNG. Converting can either package the original bitmap inside SVGZ or trace it into editable vector paths, with different quality results.

What the PNG format is

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster format that stores an image as a grid of pixels. It uses lossless compression and supports transparency through an alpha channel, making it common for screenshots, interface graphics, diagrams, transparent logos, and web images.

GIMP, Krita, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, screenshot utilities, web browsers, and design workflows commonly create or use PNG files. PNG preserves the source pixels accurately, but enlarging it beyond its native resolution can reveal pixelation.

What the SVGZ format is

SVGZ is an SVG file compressed with gzip. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) stores XML markup describing paths, shapes, text, gradients, and other two-dimensional graphics; SVGZ retains that structure while reducing the size of the text-based file. It is not an ordinary ZIP archive.

SVGZ suits logos, icons, diagrams, maps, and other vector artwork because paths and shapes can scale without pixelation. Compression is usually most effective for vector markup; an SVGZ containing an embedded PNG may remain large and does not make that bitmap resolution-independent.

Some older applications, previewers, document systems, and upload forms accept .svg but reject .svgz. Confirm that the receiving software supports compressed SVG before choosing this format. Web servers should deliver it with an SVG content type such as image/svg+xml; incorrect server configuration can prevent browsers or other clients from displaying it.

How to convert a PNG to SVGZ

Using Inkscape

1. Open Inkscape and choose File → Import to place the PNG on the page.
2. Choose the required result. To preserve the bitmap, keep the imported image and ensure it is embedded rather than linked to a separate PNG. To create editable vector artwork, select the image and choose Path → Trace Bitmap.
3. For simple black-and-white artwork, try Single scan → Brightness cutoff. For colored artwork, try Multiple scans → Colors; this can create many overlapping paths and may require cleanup.
4. Apply the trace, move the generated paths away from the original, and inspect them. Delete the original PNG if the output must contain vector data only. Correct unwanted nodes, gaps, overlaps, holes, and background shapes.
5. Choose File → Save As. If the installed Inkscape version offers Compressed SVG (*.svgz), select it and save the file directly. Otherwise save an ordinary SVG such as converted.svg, then compress that file with a gzip utility.

gzip -c converted.svg > converted.svgz

On systems with 7-Zip or another gzip-capable desktop utility, create a gzip stream from the SVG and use the .svgz extension. Do not use ordinary ZIP compression. If the PNG was retained, verify that the SVG contains an embedded image rather than a reference to a local file.

Using the built-in online converter

You can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing software. Upload the PNG, select SVGZ as the output, and download the result. If the converter offers a vectorization or tracing option, enable it only when editable paths are needed; a basic conversion may embed the PNG in an SVG container and gzip it without creating true vector geometry.

Quality and compatibility limits

A PNG contains pixels, not the original paths or shapes, so conversion cannot recover vector geometry that was never stored. An embedded PNG inside SVGZ keeps its original resolution and transparency but remains subject to the same scaling limits as the source image.

Automatic tracing approximates antialiased edges and can produce excessive nodes, jagged contours, false colors, or unwanted background shapes. It generally works best for high-contrast logos and line art, and requires manual cleanup for photographs, textures, soft shadows, complex gradients, and detailed illustrations.

Open the result in Inkscape or another SVG-capable editor. To inspect a compressed file, extract a copy and check that it contains readable SVG XML:

gunzip -c converted.svgz > check.svg

Keep the original PNG when exact pixel fidelity or archival preservation matters. Use SVG rather than SVGZ when the recipient cannot handle gzip-compressed SVG or when a workflow requires direct XML editing.