# We Benchmarked GPT-Image-2.6 Native <svg> Output: Path Counts, Cost & Real Edge Cases

> Source: <https://dev.to/keokeo/we-benchmarked-gpt-image-26-native-output-path-counts-cost-real-edge-cases-e2a>
> Published: 2026-11-06 08:18:34+00:00

Most "AI vector generators" over the past two years did the exact same thing under the hood: generate a raster PNG, then run an aggressive auto-tracer over it—leaving you with 1,800 jagged `<path>` nodes and muddy gradients that bog down Figma.

With `gpt-image-2.6` adding native `output_format: "svg"` support, we ran a structured benchmark while building [GPTSVG Studio](https://gptsvg.com) to see whether native LLM-authored `<svg>` geometry is actually clean enough for production frontend and brand work.

All raw `.svg` sample outputs, rendered previews, and our standalone zero-dependency TypeScript XML AST sanitizer are open-sourced under MIT here:

👉 **GitHub Benchmark & Sanitizer Repo**: [https://github.com/keokeo/gpt-image-2-6-svg-benchmark](https://github.com/keokeo/gpt-image-2-6-svg-benchmark)

`<g id="...">` layers—not traced soup`0.9 KB – 9.6 KB`), zero embedded `data:image/png` bitmaps, and readable group IDs:
| Preset | Quality | Raw Size | Elements / Paths | Embedded Raster |

   | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

   | Minimal Geometric Logo | `medium` | `1.4 KB` | 6 elements | `0` |

   | Wordmark + Mark | `medium` | `2.1 KB` | 9 elements | `0` |

   | 24×24 Monoline UI Icon | `low` | `0.9 KB` | 5 strokes | `0` |

   | Die-Cut Sticker | `medium` | `9.6 KB` | 28 paths | `0` |

   | Shield / Crest Badge | `low` | `1.9 KB` | 8 paths | `0` |

**Native `output_format: "svg"` is strictly Text-to-SVG**

Upstream providers currently restrict native SVG output to text prompts; image-edit endpoints reject `output_format: "svg"`. For [Image to SVG conversion](https://gptsvg.com/image-to-svg), we paired a zero-upload client-side Web Worker k-means vectorizer (free, runs 100% locally in your browser) with an optional flat-palette AI redraw pass.

**Never inject LLM-generated SVG with `innerHTML`**

Inline `<svg>` is executable XML. Treat model-generated SVG as untrusted input: parse it into an XML AST, rebuild only allow-listed geometry tags/attributes (stripping `<script>`, `<foreignObject>`, `on*` handlers, and external `href` references), serve stored files with `Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'none'; sandbox`, and render previews via `<img src="blob:...">`.

Happy to share raw SVG snippets or sanitizer edge cases if anyone else is building vector tooling!