How To Add SVG Animations To Your Website

In this tutorial, you will learn how to add SVG animations to a website using the image tag, the object tag, and inline SVG, with step-by-step instructions for setup and embedding.

Prepare The Animation File

With the animation ready, open the SVG editor export panel. Set the animation type to CSS only, select onload and infinite for the number of iterations, then click export. Ensure the exported SVG is saved in the same folder as the HTML file to keep file references simple and organized.

Insert The Animation Using The Image Tag

Copy the file name of the exported SVG, paste it into the image tag in your HTML, and delete any placeholder text. Save the file and open the HTML in a browser to verify the animation plays. Remember that the image tag works only with CSS-only onload animations. If the SVG is hosted on a server, the full URL can be used in place of the local file name.

Insert The Animation Using The Object Tag

The object tag is the recommended method for SVG insertion. Unlike the image tag, it supports interactive animations and works with both CSS-only and JavaScript exports. For this tutorial, stick with CSS only. Set the animation to start on mouse over and reset on mouse out, then export the file. Copy and paste the file name into the data attribute of the object tag. If the animation does not play after refreshing the page, check the MIME type and change it from image/png to image/svg+xml to ensure proper functionality.

Insert The Animation Using Inline SVG

For full control over the animation, use the inline SVG method. Set the animation type to JavaScript, choose on click as the trigger, set pause for the second click, and export the file. Open the exported SVG in a code editor, copy everything inside, and paste it directly into the HTML where the animation should appear. Refresh the website to verify the animation loads and interactivity works correctly. Keep in mind that inline SVGs become part of the HTML content, affecting code to text ratio and making reuse more difficult. Test across different browsers and devices to ensure consistent behavior.

Choose The Best Method For Your Workflow

Both object tag and inline SVG methods are reliable but require some manual coding for triggers and interactions. Use inline SVG if full control is necessary, or external files, particularly the object tag, for cleaner HTML and reusability. All methods produce lightweight, scalable animations that run smoothly across modern browsers.