---
id: vl-convert-python
version: "1.9.0.post1"
license: BSD-3-Clause
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# vl-convert-python — Convert Vega-Lite chart specifications to SVG, PNG, or Vega

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 1.4M/mo

## What it is and what it does

vl-convert-python is a Python wrapper around a Rust library that converts Vega-Lite visualization specifications into static images (SVG or PNG) or into lower-level Vega specifications. It runs Vega-Lite and Vega JavaScript libraries inside a v8 runtime, then handles font metrics and SVG-to-PNG conversion. The package is self-contained—it needs no external web browser, Node.js, or system dependencies beyond what the wheels provide.

You can use it to export charts from Altair (which generates Vega-Lite JSON) or from raw Vega-Lite specifications. The main functions convert a specification string and optional parameters like scale for PNG resolution or vl_version to target a specific Vega-Lite schema version.

Use it for:

- Export Altair charts to PNG or SVG for embedding in reports, dashboards, or web pages without a live rendering engine
- Convert Vega-Lite JSON specifications to static images in batch processing or server-side workflows
- Generate chart images programmatically for automated document generation or email delivery
- Inspect the low-level Vega specification that Vega-Lite compiles to for debugging or further manipulation

## Worth the install?

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

Converts Vega-Lite chart specifications to static SVG or PNG images, or to Vega specifications, with no external dependencies.

Yes, if you need to export Vega-Lite or Altair charts to static images without a browser or Node.js dependency. The package is dependency-free at runtime, has no known vulnerabilities, and works on common platforms. Install friction is moderate due to compiled wheels, but pre-built binaries are available. Maintenance is aging (205 days since last release, minimal repository activity), so expect slower response to issues, but the core functionality is stable.

## Install

pip install vl-convert-python
uv add vl-convert-python
poetry add vl-convert-python

## Installing vl-convert-python

Before you install: Medium install friction due to compiled Rust bindings; wheels are available for common platforms (macOS x86_64 and ARM, Linux x86_64 and ARM64, Windows x64). Last release was 205 days ago; repository shows minimal activity (1 star, aging maintenance status).

License in practice: BSD-3-Clause is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects provided you include the license notice.

Quickstart:

pip install vl-convert-python

import vl_convert

vl_spec = '{"$schema": "https://vega.github.io/schema/vega-lite/v5.json", "mark": "circle"}'
svg_str = vl_convert.vegalite_to_svg(vl_spec=vl_spec)
png_data = vl_convert.vegalite_to_png(vl_spec=vl_spec)

Requires Python >=3.7; compiled wheels available for macOS (x86_64, ARM64), Linux (x86_64, ARM64), and Windows (x64) — other platforms may require building from source.

Verify before relying:

- Performance characteristics (conversion speed, memory usage) for large or complex charts
- Supported Vega-Lite schema versions and any known compatibility limits
- Quality and fidelity of PNG output at different scale factors

## Package facts

- License: BSD-3-Clause (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 1.4M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

vega-lite to svg png conversion, convert altair charts to images, vega-lite static image export, chart specification rendering, vega-lite to vega conversion, headless chart rendering, visualization export tool, visualization-export, vega-lite, altair-integration

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/vl-convert-python) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/vl-convert-python/)