Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Freehand, or Xara X. What sets Inkscape apart is its use of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), an open XML-based W3C standard, as the native format.

What is “vector graphics”?
In contrast to raster (“bitmap”) graphics editors such as Photoshop or GIMP, Inkscape stores its graphics in a vector format. Vector graphics is a resolution-independent description of the actual shapes and objects that you see in the image. A rasterization engine uses this information to determine how to plot each line and curve at any resolution or zoom level.

Contrast that to raster (“bitmap”) graphics, which is always bound to a specific resolution, and stores an image as a grid of pixels.

Vector graphics are a complement, rather than an alternative, to raster graphics. Each has its own purpose and is useful for different kinds of things. Raster graphics tend to be better for photographs and some kinds of artistic drawings, while vectors are more suitable for design compositions, logos, images with text, technical illustrations, etc.

Note that Inkscape can import and display raster images, too. An imported raster images becomes yet another object in your vector graphics, and you can do with it everything you can do to other kinds of objects (move, transform, clip, etc.).

What is “Scalable Vector Graphics”?
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an open, industry-standard XML-based format for vector graphics developed by the W3C. Its acceptance has grown fast! Most, if not all, vector editors can import and export SVG, and all modern browsers (including IE, starting with IE9) can display it directly, i.e. without requiring any plugins. For more information, see About SVG below.

What platforms does Inkscape run on?
We provide source tarballs for Linux (binary packages are offered by the distributor) as well as flatpak and snap packages and a ppa for Ubuntu, packages for Windows (32bit and 64bit, portable app, fully self-contained installer, binary without installation), and Mac OS X (DMG, also MacPorts, Homebrew provided by community members). We know that Inkscape is successfully used on FreeBSD and other Unix-like operating systems. Note that Windows 98/Me and 2000 are no longer supported.

What formats can Inkscape import/export?
Inkscape natively supports opening or importing many different formats, such as SVG, SVGZ (gzipped SVG), PDF, EPS, and AI (Adobe Illustrator) formats. And, as of version 0.91, Inkscape can import CDR (CorelDraw) and VSD (Visio) natively.

With the help of extensions, Inkscape can open a number of other vector formats. For importing PostScript or EPS, please see How to open EPS files in Windows. For formats of Dia, XFig, or Sketch, you need to have those programs installed.

Inkscape can natively import most raster formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) as bitmap images, but it can only export PNG bitmaps.

Inkscape does not intend to export other raster formats than PNG as this is currently the most suitable format for vector graphics: it is an open format which uses lossless compression and is typically supported by all graphics or rendering software.
If you need to convert your vector image into another raster image format (e.g. because your document contains bitmaps and the PNG file size is too large, or you want to use your vector image on a platform which only accepts JPEG), you will need to convert the exported PNG with another software (such as GIMP or ImageMagick) or an extension (see this one for JPEG).

Inkscape can save as SVG, SVGZ, PDF, Postscript/EPS/EPSi, LaTeX (*.tex), POVRay (*.pov), HPGL, and MANY others. Starting with version 0.91, Inkscape can save as: FXG (Flash XML Graphics), SIF (Synfig Animation Studio), HTML5 Canvas, and there are improvements for XAML export. Please see “Exporting Other File Types” section of the Exporting Files chapter of the manual, for more details.

If you need another import or export format that Inkscape currently does not offer, you can make a suggestion to add it to Inkscape in the Inkscape bug tracker.

• How much does it cost?
  Inkscape is gratis, that is, cost-free: you can download and install it as many times as you want without paying either a fixed fee or a subscription, and give it away to friends, provided you agree with the free software GNU General Public License (GPL). The only investment you’ll need to make is to learn to use it and gain new skills.

© Copyright 2018-2022, Inkscape Documentation Authors. Revision b296ff04.