Text to SVG Path
Type your text, pick one of 40 Google Fonts or upload your own font file, and get real vector outlines: an SVG made only of paths, with no font needed to open it. Set a physical width for cutting machines, then download or copy the code.
Last updated:
Open-source fonts from the Google Fonts library, Latin characters.
How to use the Text to SVG Path
- Type your text. Use Enter for several lines.
- Choose a font from the Google font list and pick a weight, or switch to Upload font and select a TTF, OTF or WOFF file.
- Adjust the layout: font size, letter spacing, line height, alignment and kerning.
- Pick the output: one combined path, one per letter or one per line, filled or outline only. Enter a physical width if the file is for a cutting machine.
- Download SVG, or copy the SVG code or the path data to paste into your code or design app.
SVG text vs. SVG paths
| <text> element | <path> outlines (this tool) | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs the font installed | Yes, or it falls back to another font | No, the shapes are built in |
| Text is editable later | Yes | No, it is now a drawing |
| Cutting machines and lasers | Often imported wrong or not at all | Imported exactly |
| Looks identical everywhere | Not guaranteed | Yes |
| Selectable and searchable | Yes | No (a <title> is added for accessibility) |
How the conversion works
A font file stores each character as a glyph: a set of contours made of straight lines and Bézier curves, measured in font units (usually 1,000 or 2,048 units per em). The tool reads those contours with opentype.js, scales them by font size ÷ units per em, places each glyph at its advance width plus any kerning and letter spacing, and writes the result as SVG path commands: M (move to), L (line), Q (quadratic curve, used by TrueType fonts), C (cubic curve, used by OpenType CFF fonts) and Z (close). The path is then shifted so the drawing starts at your padding, and the viewBox is set to the exact outline bounds.
Letters with holes, such as O, A and B, keep their counters because the outer and inner contours wind in opposite directions and SVG's default nonzero fill rule leaves the inside empty.
Tips for cutting and engraving
- Weld script fonts. In connected scripts the letters overlap. Weld them in your cutting software so the blade follows the outer edge only.
- Bold weights cut cleaner. Very thin strokes under about 1.5 mm tend to tear in vinyl or burn away with a laser. Choose a heavier weight or a larger size.
- Use Outline only for laser vector cutting so the software sees a hairline stroke instead of a fill to engrave.
- Add a little letter spacing for stencils and small text so the cut pieces do not touch.
- Use the path data in code. Copy path data gives you only the d attribute, ready for an icon component, a CSS clip-path or a canvas Path2D.
Frequently asked questions
What does converting text to an SVG path mean?
Normal SVG text needs the font to be installed to display correctly. Converting text to a path replaces each letter with its actual vector outline (a path element with a d attribute), so the shape looks identical on every device and in every program, even without the font.
Can I use the SVG with Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio?
Yes. Upload the downloaded SVG as an image. Choose One path per letter if you want to move letters individually, or One combined path to keep the word together. For script fonts where letters overlap, use Weld (Cricut) or Weld/Merge in your software so the machine cuts one continuous shape.
How do I set the exact size for cutting?
Enter a value in Physical width and pick mm, cm or inches. The SVG gets width and height attributes in that unit, with the height calculated from the text's proportions, so most cutting and laser programs import it at that size.
Which font files are supported?
TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf, including CFF outlines) and WOFF (.woff) files. WOFF2 is not supported; most font sites offer a TTF or OTF download as well. Uploaded fonts are read in your browser and never sent anywhere.
Am I allowed to use the fonts commercially?
The fonts in the list come from the Google Fonts library and are released under open licenses such as the SIL Open Font License, which allow commercial use of artwork made with them. For uploaded fonts, check that font's own license.
Why do some characters not appear?
The built-in fonts are loaded with the Latin character set. If a character, such as an emoji or a letter from another alphabet, is not in the font, it is skipped and listed under the preview. Upload a font that contains those characters to include them.
Why is the file large and how can I make it smaller?
Every curve of every letter is stored as coordinates. Lowering Decimals to 1 or 0 removes digits and usually shrinks the file by 20 to 40% with no visible change at normal sizes. Script fonts with many curves produce bigger files than simple sans-serif fonts.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.