Fixing SVG Image Dimension Issues in WordPress

If you're using SVG images in WordPress with the SVG Support plugin, you may encounter issues where your images display with incorrect dimensions, often showing as 0x0 or 1x1 pixels. This common problem can cause layout shifts, broken thumbnails, and compatibility issues with themes and page builders like Divi or Beaver Builder.

Why Do SVG Dimension Issues Occur?

SVG files differ from traditional raster images (like JPG or PNG) in how they store dimension information. While raster images have explicit pixel dimensions, SVGs use vector data and a viewBox attribute. WordPress core wasn't originally designed to handle SVG files, which leads to several specific issues:

• WordPress may not properly read the native dimensions from SVG files during upload
• The media library may display SVGs as 0x0 pixels in attachment display settings
• Functions like wp_get_attachment_image() may output incorrect width and height attributes
• Theme and page builder modules may not properly interpret SVG dimensions
• Intermediate image sizes generated for SVGs may not respect the original aspect ratio

These issues are particularly noticeable when using page builders like Divi, Beaver Builder, or themes that rely heavily on WordPress's image handling functions.

Common Solutions for SVG Dimension Problems

1. Update SVG Support Plugin

First, ensure you're using the latest version of SVG Support. Version 2.4 and later include improvements for handling image dimensions. The plugin developer has addressed many dimension-related issues in recent updates, including better handling of the sizes array in attachment metadata.

2. Verify SVG File Integrity

Check that your SVG files properly include width, height, and viewBox attributes. Open the SVG file in a code editor and look for these attributes in the root <svg> tag. Well-formed SVGs should have these properties defined:

<svg width="100" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  
</svg>

3. Check Theme and Page Builder Compatibility

Some themes and page builders require additional configuration for SVG support. If you're experiencing issues specifically with Divi, Beaver Builder, or other page builders:

• Check if the theme has specific SVG support options
• Look for theme updates that might address SVG compatibility
• Test with a default WordPress theme to isolate the issue

4. Custom CSS for Media Library Display

If you're experiencing distorted thumbnails in the media library (where all images appear as 60x60 squares), this may be due to CSS rules intended to fix SVG display issues. You can add custom CSS to target only SVG images:

table.media .column-title .media-icon img[src$=".svg"] {
    width: 60px;
    height: 60px;
}

5. Use Appropriate WordPress Functions

When working with SVG images in theme development, avoid relying solely on wp_get_attachment_image() for dimension data. Consider using custom implementation for SVGs that reads the actual dimensions from the file:

$image_id = get_post_thumbnail_id();
$mime_type = get_post_mime_type($image_id);

if ('image/svg+xml' === $mime_type) {
    // Custom handling for SVG images
    $svg_path = get_attached_file($image_id);
    $svg_dimensions = get_svg_dimensions($svg_path);
    // Use custom output with proper dimensions
} else {
    // Standard WordPress image handling
    echo wp_get_attachment_image($image_id, 'full');
}

When to Seek Additional Help

If you've tried these solutions and still experience dimension issues with your SVG images, consider these additional steps:

• Test with other SVG files to rule out file-specific problems
• Disable other plugins to check for conflicts
• Check browser console for JavaScript errors that might indicate deeper issues
• Consult your theme's documentation for SVG-specific guidance

Remember that SVG support in WordPress continues to evolve, and some issues may require updates from the SVG Support plugin team or WordPress core itself. The SVG Support developer has acknowledged many of these dimension-related issues and continues to work on improvements in future versions.