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. On SVGOMG.net the toggle is labeled Remove empty containers (enabled by default). Optimization runs entirely in your browser — files are not uploaded to a server.

Use SVGOMG.net 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

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.

Part of: Hidden and unused markup

This plugin is covered in the Hidden and unused markup topic guide along with related transforms.

SVGO Plugin Guide

Browse the SVGO Plugin Guide or read the full SVG optimization walkthrough.