How to Convert an Image to SVG in Inkscape (Trace Bitmap)
To convert an image to SVG in Inkscape, import the image, select it, open Path > Trace Bitmap, choose a detection mode such as brightness cutoff, edge detection or multiple color scans, click Apply, then delete the original bitmap and save the vector result as SVG. Inkscape is free and open source, so this works on Windows, macOS and Linux without a license. The tricky part is picking the right mode and cleaning up afterward, which is what this walkthrough focuses on.
- Trace Bitmap lives in the Path menu (shortcut Shift+Alt+B in recent versions).
- Use brightness cutoff for one-color logos and line art, edge detection for outlines, and multiple scans for colored artwork.
- The trace is placed on top of the original image, so move or delete the bitmap before judging the result.
- Save as Plain SVG when the file is going to a website or another app.
Step-by-Step: Convert an Image to SVG in Inkscape
The full process is import, trace, remove the bitmap, clean up and save. These steps follow Inkscape 1.x; older 0.92 builds use a slightly different dialog layout but the same ideas.
- Import the image with File > Import (Ctrl+I) or drag it onto the canvas. When asked, choosing to embed the image keeps everything in one file.
- Select the image by clicking it with the Selector tool.
- Open Trace Bitmap from Path > Trace Bitmap. A docked dialog appears with single-scan and multiple-scan options.
- Pick a detection mode and adjust its threshold (details in the next section). The preview area updates when you change settings or press the update button.
- Click Apply. Inkscape creates a new path object directly on top of the image.
- Drag the new path aside or select the image underneath and press Delete. Use the Objects or Layers panel if you struggle to click the right one.
- Clean up the vector (see the cleanup section).
- Save with File > Save As and choose Plain SVG or Inkscape SVG.
Before you trace, it helps to crop the image tightly and make sure it's reasonably large. A source of 1,000 pixels or more on the longest side gives Inkscape enough edge information to produce smooth curves. Our help article on the best image types for SVG conversion explains why flat, high-contrast images trace best.
Trace Bitmap Modes: Brightness, Edge and Multicolor
The mode you choose decides what Inkscape treats as an edge. Picking the right one solves most quality problems before you touch any other setting.
| Mode | Best for | Main control | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness cutoff (single scan) | Logos, signatures, ink drawings, silhouettes | Threshold (0.0–1.0) | One filled black path |
| Edge detection (single scan) | Outlines of shapes, coloring-page style art | Threshold | Path following the edges, often double lines |
| Color quantization (single scan) | Bold posters with strong color boundaries | Number of colors | One path from color boundaries |
| Brightness steps / Colors / Grays (multiple scans) | Flat illustrations, multi-color logos, posterized photos | Number of scans | A group of stacked paths, one per level or color |
Brightness cutoff
Brightness cutoff turns every pixel darker than the threshold into the shape and ignores the rest. The default around 0.45 works for clean black-on-white artwork. Raise it toward 0.6 if thin lines break up, and lower it toward 0.3 if gray paper texture or shadows creep in. It is the most predictable mode and the one to try first for anything that is essentially one color.
Edge detection
Edge detection traces the boundaries between light and dark areas rather than filling them. That makes it useful for outline-style art, but on thick strokes it often produces two parallel lines, one on each side of the stroke. If you want a single line through the middle of a stroke, look for the centerline tracing option available in recent Inkscape versions.
Multiple scans for color
Multiple scans run several passes and stack the results. Choose Colors for colored artwork and set the number of scans to the number of colors you actually see, for example 4 for a four-color logo. Turn on Stack so shapes overlap rather than leaving hairline gaps, and turn on the option that removes the background so you don't get a full-size rectangle as the bottom layer.
Options that apply to every mode
- Speckles: ignores spots smaller than the given size in pixels. Values from 2 to 10 remove dust and JPEG noise.
- Smooth corners: rounds sharp corners. Lower it for geometric shapes, raise it for organic drawings.
- Optimize: merges path segments to reduce node count. A moderate value keeps the file lighter without visible change.
Cleaning Up a Traced SVG in Inkscape
A trace is rarely finished straight out of the dialog; a few minutes of cleanup makes it lighter and easier to edit. Work through these steps in order:
- Ungroup multi-scan results with Object > Ungroup (Shift+Ctrl+G) so each color can be edited.
- Break apart single paths with Path > Break Apart if you need to delete individual pieces, then recombine with Path > Combine. Note that breaking apart can fill in letter counters such as the hole in an "o", which Combine restores.
- Simplify with Path > Simplify (Ctrl+L) to reduce node count. Apply it once and check; repeated use quickly distorts shapes.
- Delete stray fragments with the Node tool or by clicking them on canvas.
- Resize the page to the drawing with Edit > Resize Page to Selection (Shift+Ctrl+R) so the SVG has no empty margins.
Plain SVG vs Inkscape SVG
Inkscape SVG keeps editor-specific data such as layer names, guides and grid settings. Plain SVG strips that out, which produces a smaller, more portable file for websites, cutting software or other editors. If you're unsure, save a working copy as Inkscape SVG and export a Plain SVG for delivery. Running the delivery file through an SVG optimizer trims redundant markup further.
Common Inkscape Tracing Problems
When a trace looks wrong, the cause is almost always the source image or the threshold. Here are the problems people run into most:
- Nothing seems to happen after Apply: the vector is sitting exactly on top of the bitmap. Drag it aside to see it.
- Result is a solid black rectangle: the threshold is too high or the image has a dark background. Lower the threshold or invert the image first.
- Thousands of nodes: raise Speckles, enable Optimize, and use fewer scans. Photos will always produce heavy paths.
- Edges look stair-stepped: the source is too small. Use a larger original rather than scaling a small one up.
- Cutting software shows odd shapes: unstacked multi-scan results can leave overlapping duplicates. Our guide to uploading SVG files to Cricut Design Space covers how layers behave once imported.
When an Online Converter Is Faster than Inkscape
Inkscape is the better tool when you need to edit the result, but for a straight image-to-SVG conversion an online converter is usually quicker. You skip the import, layer juggling and save dialogs, and the defaults are tuned for typical logos and graphics.
ToSVG is a free online image to SVG converter with no signup and no watermark. It accepts PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, BMP and TIFF up to 10 MB, and its options line up with Trace Bitmap:
| Inkscape Trace Bitmap | ToSVG option |
|---|---|
| Brightness cutoff | Black-and-white mode |
| Multiple scans: Colors | Color mode with color precision |
| Speckles | Speckle filter |
| Smooth corners | Corner threshold |
| Optimize / curve fitting | Polygon or spline path mode |
A practical workflow combines both tools: convert in ToSVG to get a clean starting vector, then open the SVG in Inkscape for hand edits like deleting a stray shape or adjusting text. If you work with JPEG photos of artwork, the dedicated JPG to SVG converter handles them the same way. To compare Inkscape's approach with Adobe's, see our walkthrough on converting PNG to SVG in Illustrator with Image Trace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Inkscape's Trace Bitmap free?
Yes. Inkscape is free, open-source software, and Trace Bitmap is a built-in feature with no paid tier or watermark.
Why is Trace Bitmap grayed out?
Trace Bitmap only works on a selected raster image. Make sure you've clicked the imported bitmap itself, not a group or an empty area of the canvas.
Which Trace Bitmap mode is best for a logo?
Use brightness cutoff for a one-color logo and multiple scans with Colors for a multi-color logo, setting the scan count to the number of colors in the design.
Can Inkscape convert a photo to SVG?
It can, using multiple scans, but the result is a posterized, stylized version with many paths and a large file. For realistic photos, a raster format such as JPG or WebP is usually the better choice.
How do I reduce the number of nodes after tracing?
Raise Speckles and enable Optimize before tracing, then apply Path > Simplify once afterward. Using fewer color scans also reduces node count significantly.
Want a vector without the dialog boxes? Drop your image into the free ToSVG image to SVG converter and download a clean SVG in seconds.