---
id: svgwrite
version: "1.4.3"
license: MIT License
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# svgwrite — A Python library to create SVG drawings.

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 2.4M/mo

## What it is and what it does

svgwrite is a pure Python library for programmatically creating and writing SVG files. You instantiate a Drawing object, add SVG elements (lines, circles, text, paths, groups, etc.) via method calls, and save the result to an XML file. The library handles element construction, attribute validation, and XML serialization internally, with support for multiple SVG profiles and features like gradients, markers, animations, stylesheets, and embedded fonts.

The package has no external runtime dependencies and runs on any platform supporting Python 3.6+. However, it is now abandoned: as of version 1.4.2, no new features are being added and only bugfixes are merged. The repository is archived and the last release was 2022-07-14. This makes it suitable for stable use cases where the existing feature set is sufficient, but unsuitable for projects requiring active development or responsive maintainers.

Use it for:

- Generate static SVG diagrams or charts from data without manual XML editing.
- Create vector graphics programmatically in automated workflows or batch processing.
- Build SVG animations and interactive graphics with embedded stylesheets and fonts.
- Export visualizations from Python applications as scalable vector files.
- Construct complex SVG structures via Python API calls without writing raw XML.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Creates SVG drawings programmatically by building XML elements and writing them to files.

Yes, if your use case fits the existing feature set and you do not require active maintenance. The library is stable, has no dependencies, and works reliably for core SVG generation. No, if you need ongoing feature development, responsive bug fixes, or active community support—the project is archived. Evaluate whether the 1.4.3 feature set meets your needs before committing.

## Install

pip install svgwrite
uv add svgwrite
poetry add svgwrite

## Installing svgwrite

Before you install: Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies. However, the package is abandoned as of version 1.4.2 and explicitly states no new features will be added—only bugfixes will be merged. Last release was 2022-07-14 and the repository is archived.

License in practice: Licensed under MIT License (permissive), which allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install svgwrite

import svgwrite

dwg = svgwrite.Drawing('test.svg', profile='tiny')
dwg.add(dwg.line((0, 0), (10, 0), stroke=svgwrite.rgb(10, 10, 16, '%')))
dwg.add(dwg.text('Test', insert=(0, 0.2), fill='red'))
dwg.save()

Requires Python 3.6 or later; Python 2 support was removed in version 1.4.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the abandoned status and lack of active maintenance poses a risk for long-term production use.
- Whether any SVG reading or import capability exists despite design intent to create-only.

## Package facts

- License: MIT License (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 2.4M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

svg generation python, create svg drawings, svg drawing library, programmatic svg creation, svg file writer, vector graphics python, svg elements builder, svg-generation, graphics-output, abandoned-but-stable

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