Remove empty containers (removeEmptyContainers)
Removes elements that do not render and contain no meaningful children.
What Remove empty containers does in SVGO
SVGO applies removeEmptyContainers as part of its plugin pipeline. In SVGOMG the toggle is labeled Remove empty containers (enabled by default). Optimization runs entirely in your browser — files are not uploaded to a server.
Use the SVGOMG optimizer with Show original to compare before and after. If output looks wrong, disable this plugin first, then re-enable related transforms one at a time.
When to enable
Default; empty groups and wrappers are common bloat.
When to disable
When empty elements are placeholders for runtime injection.
Watch out for
Run after removeHiddenElems for best results.
Try it in SVGOMG
- Open svgomg.net and load your SVG (file, paste, or demo).
- Find Remove empty containers in the Features panel (
removeEmptyContainers). - Toggle the plugin and compare the preview; download when satisfied.
SVGO Plugin Guide
Browse the SVGO Plugin Guide or read the full SVG optimization walkthrough on the homepage.