How to Convert SVG to G-code Free, Step by Step
Need a G-code from an SVG? Here is how to convert SVG to G-code, what usually goes wrong, and how to get a file you can use first time.
Why convert SVG to G-code?
A G-code is motion commands a controller runs directly: move here, at this speed, with the tool on. No interpretation left. The machine does exactly what the file says.
- Laser cutting and engraving.
- CNC routing.
- Sending straight to the controller.
The catch is the SVG itself. It has no native idea of physical units, so whether a width means millimetres depends on the program reading it. That is why the conversion matters as much as the file you start with.
Where most converters let you down
Plenty of tools will happily take your SVG and give you something back. The trouble is what they give you: many lose the units, flip the drawing, or rebuild curves into thousands of tiny segments. You only find out later, when the file will not cut, print, import or open the way you expected.
What you actually want is the same geometry, carried across with its scale and the right way up. That is the standard this SVG to G-code converter is built to.
How to convert SVG to G-code in 3 steps
- Open the SVG to G-code converter and drop in your SVG.
- Check the result in the preview and adjust the settings if you need to.
- Download the G-code.
Why Veconvert is the better SVG to G-code converter
- No re-tracing. Your SVG geometry is carried across, not redrawn from pixels.
- Units stated. G-code output says what its numbers mean.
- Transforms applied properly. Nested groups and scaled paths land where they should.
- Checked before you cut. The output file is read back and drawn on screen.
- Private. The conversion runs in your browser.
What happens to your file
An SVG already holds shapes, so it is not traced at all. Its paths are read directly (curves, lines and the transforms applied to them) and written out as a G-code, so nothing is thrown away and re-approximated.
The conversion runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded: client work, statements and unreleased designs stay on your computer.
Getting the best G-code: mistakes to avoid
- Convert text to outlines in your design software before converting, so fonts are not needed.
- Convert text to outlines in your SVG before converting if your design software can; fonts are not available to a cutter.
- Remove guides, hidden layers and anything you do not want cut.
- Check the reported size against the size you expect before sending it to the machine.
What it costs
Yes, converting is free: the conversion and checking the result cost nothing, and the work runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded. The side-by-side preview on the converter pages comes with a free account. Saving the finished file is paid: $3.49 for one file ($3.99 for a technical file such as DXF, G-code, STL or embroidery) with no account needed, or included in a plan from $6.99 a month.
You see the result before you spend anything, so you only pay for a file you are happy with.
Frequently asked questions
Does the G-code work with GRBL?
Yes. It uses only the commands GRBL supports: G0, G1, G21/G20, G90, M3, M4, M5 and F/S values. It homes nothing and assumes you have set your own work origin.
Can I run it in UGS or LaserGRBL?
Yes. Open the .gcode file in Universal G-code Sender or LaserGRBL, set your origin, and run a frame or dry run above the material first.
What feed and speed should I use?
For a diode laser on 3 mm plywood, start around 300–600 mm/min at full power with several passes; for engraving, 1500–3000 mm/min at lower power. For a router, use the chip load for your bit. Always test on scrap: feed rate and power vary by machine.
Why does my laser burn at the start of each line?
Constant-power mode (M3) fires while the head accelerates. Tick "Dynamic power (M4)" here and enable GRBL laser mode ($32=1): power then scales with the actual speed, so corners and line starts stop over-burning.
How do I convert SVG to G-code?
Drop your SVG into the box at the top of this page and press Convert to G-code. The conversion runs in your browser in a few seconds. Check the result, then download a G-code.
What units does the G-code use?
Millimetres or inches, whichever you choose. The size you set is the size the machine cuts.
Is it free?
Yes, converting is free: the conversion and checking the result cost nothing, and the work runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded. The side-by-side preview on the converter pages comes with a free account. Saving the finished file is paid: $3.49 for one file ($3.99 for a technical file such as DXF, G-code, STL or embroidery) with no account needed, or included in a plan from $6.99 a month.