What is the reason behind SVG images not scaling properly with the CSS "width" property?

Question

What is the reason behind SVG images not scaling properly with the CSS "width" property?

HTML & CSS

<div id="hero">
   <div id="social">
      <img src="facebook.svg" alt="Facebook">
      <img src="linkedin.svg" alt="LinkedIn">
      <img src="instagram.svg" alt="Instagram">
    </div>
</div>

CSS Styling with SASS

#hero {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
    align-items: center;
    height: 300px;
    
    #social {
        width: 50%;
        display: flex;
        justify-content: space-between;
        flex-wrap: wrap;

        img {
            width: 2em;
        }
    }
}

When attempting to resize SVGs using the CSS width property, various outcomes are observed. Different attempts lead to icons collapsing towards the middle of the hero div:

img { width: 2em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/7fIsb.png

img { width: 3em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/7iw0h.png

img { width: 4em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/Pbceu.png

However, utilizing the CSS height property provides the desired behavior:

img { height: 2em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/n10yp.png

img { height: 3em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/B25nT.png

img { height: 4em; }

https://i.sstatic.net/xcH8V.png

While this method achieves the desired result, it prompts questions about the correct approach and alternative ways to resize SVG images when using the Flexible Box Module. Any insights on better practices?

html css svg sass

Answer 1

Answer №1

SVGs and bitmap images like PNG are not the same. SVGs with a viewBox, as yours seems to have, will be scaled to fit their defined viewport instead of directly scaling like a PNG.

Simply increasing the width of the img won't make the icons taller if the height is constrained. It will just center the image horizontally in a wider container.

The issue could be that your SVGs have a fixed height specified within them. Make sure to:

Remove any specific width and height values, or
Set both width and height to "100%".

Following these steps should resolve the problem. If not, share one of your SVG files in your question so we can review its specifications.

Answer 2

SVGs and bitmap images like PNG are not the same. SVGs with a viewBox, as yours seems to have, will be scaled to fit their defined viewport instead of directly scaling like a PNG.

Simply increasing the width of the img won't make the icons taller if the height is constrained. It will just center the image horizontally in a wider container.

The issue could be that your SVGs have a fixed height specified within them. Make sure to:

Remove any specific width and height values, or
Set both width and height to "100%".

Following these steps should resolve the problem. If not, share one of your SVG files in your question so we can review its specifications.

Answer 3

Answer №2

The transform CSS property allows for rotating, scaling, skewing, or translating an element.

You can quickly apply the transform: scale(2.5); option to increase the size by 2.5 times, for instance.

Answer 4

The transform CSS property allows for rotating, scaling, skewing, or translating an element.

You can quickly apply the transform: scale(2.5); option to increase the size by 2.5 times, for instance.

Answer 5

Answer №3

Figuring it out on my own, I discovered that some svgs require matching the viewBox and width+height.

For example, if it already has width="x" height="y", then you should add

<svg ... viewBox="0 0 [width] [height]">

.

And vice versa.

After making this adjustment, the svg will scale properly using

<svg ... style="width: xxx; height: yyy;">

(which can be applied through a class rather than inline css).

Additional Information

It's important to note that viewBox="0 0 [w] [h]" may not always be ideal for certain svgs, particularly due to the extra zeros. These first two digits determine how the icon positions itself within the defined box, whether it should occupy full width, full height, or both (assuming it's a square icon). However, I haven't encountered any issues with svgs that initially lacked the viewBox attribute.

Answer 6

Figuring it out on my own, I discovered that some svgs require matching the viewBox and width+height.

For example, if it already has width="x" height="y", then you should add

<svg ... viewBox="0 0 [width] [height]">

.

And vice versa.

After making this adjustment, the svg will scale properly using

<svg ... style="width: xxx; height: yyy;">

(which can be applied through a class rather than inline css).

Additional Information

It's important to note that viewBox="0 0 [w] [h]" may not always be ideal for certain svgs, particularly due to the extra zeros. These first two digits determine how the icon positions itself within the defined box, whether it should occupy full width, full height, or both (assuming it's a square icon). However, I haven't encountered any issues with svgs that initially lacked the viewBox attribute.

Answer 7

Answer №4

To modify an SVG file, simply open it with a text editor and delete the width and height attributes from the main node.

Original Version

<svg width="12px" height="20px" viewBox="0 0 12 20" ...

Updated Version

<svg viewBox="0 0 12 20" ...

This change ensures that the image will always expand to fill the available space and can be scaled using CSS properties like width and height. However, it will maintain its aspect ratio and not distort when resized.

Answer 8

To modify an SVG file, simply open it with a text editor and delete the width and height attributes from the main node.

Original Version

<svg width="12px" height="20px" viewBox="0 0 12 20" ...

Updated Version

<svg viewBox="0 0 12 20" ...

This change ensures that the image will always expand to fill the available space and can be scaled using CSS properties like width and height. However, it will maintain its aspect ratio and not distort when resized.

Answer 9

Answer №5

In the event that the svg file already includes defined height and width attributes, such as
```
width="100" height="100"
```
, ensure to also include the viewBox="0 0 100 100" attribute while maintaining the existing dimensions.
To further manipulate the svg's size, you can utilize CSS within your stylesheet by targeting a specific selector, such as img. For instance, applying the following rules: img{height: 20px; width: 20px;} will effectively scale the image accordingly.

Answer 10

In the event that the svg file already includes defined height and width attributes, such as
```
width="100" height="100"
```
, ensure to also include the viewBox="0 0 100 100" attribute while maintaining the existing dimensions.
To further manipulate the svg's size, you can utilize CSS within your stylesheet by targeting a specific selector, such as img. For instance, applying the following rules: img{height: 20px; width: 20px;} will effectively scale the image accordingly.

Answer 11

Answer №6

Ensuring that the svg viewBox aligns with the size of the svg creation is crucial for accurate coordinate matching within the viewBox. This allows for seamless application of CSS scaling:

.container {
    width: 2em;
    height: 2em;
}

.container svg {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
}

Answer 12

Ensuring that the svg viewBox aligns with the size of the svg creation is crucial for accurate coordinate matching within the viewBox. This allows for seamless application of CSS scaling:

.container {
    width: 2em;
    height: 2em;
}

.container svg {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
}

Answer 13

Answer №7

To properly adjust the height and width of an SVG, you will need to modify the viewBox property located within the <svg> tag.

For more information on the viewBox attribute, visit: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/SVG/Attribute/viewBox

Answer 14

To properly adjust the height and width of an SVG, you will need to modify the viewBox property located within the <svg> tag.

For more information on the viewBox attribute, visit: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/SVG/Attribute/viewBox

Answer 15

Answer №8

To avoid any inconvenience, consider importing the images using an HTML tag and adjust their size as needed. Notify the parent element of the resizing for smooth integration. You can then utilize the images by fetching them via an HTTP request in the image tag. This method will achieve your goal, although excessive zooming may result in blurriness.

Answer 16

To avoid any inconvenience, consider importing the images using an HTML tag and adjust their size as needed. Notify the parent element of the resizing for smooth integration. You can then utilize the images by fetching them via an HTTP request in the image tag. This method will achieve your goal, although excessive zooming may result in blurriness.

Answer 17

Answer №9

An alternative approach is to utilize the transform: scale("") property.

Answer 18

An alternative approach is to utilize the transform: scale("") property.

What is the reason behind SVG images not scaling properly with the CSS "width" property?

HTML & CSS

CSS Styling with SASS

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Additional Information

Answer №4

Answer №5

Answer №6

Answer №7

Answer №8

Answer №9

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