Does it fix broken references?

No. It reports missing targets so you can restore or rename the referenced ID.

Does it inspect CSS files?

No. It scans the SVG markup you paste, including inline style attributes.

Can it detect missing clipPath IDs?

Yes. clip-path="url(#id)" references are included.

Is Broken ID Detector free?

Yes. SVGKit tools are free to use with no account required.

Does Broken ID Detector upload my files?

No. The tool runs entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your device.

Which standards does it check against?

The SVG specification plus the specific rules this tool focuses on. Findings reference the rule so you can judge each one.

Does it fix problems automatically?

No. Validation reports findings; the edit and optimize tools apply the fixes.

Can it produce false positives?

Rarely. When a finding does not apply to your context, note it and move on — the tool cannot see how the SVG is consumed.

SVGKit

← Browse all toolsBroken ID Detector

Broken ID Detector

Validate

Check SVG url(#id), href, and xlink:href references and report unresolved IDs.

Broken ID Detector

Check SVG url(#id), href, and xlink:href references and report unresolved IDs.

Result

Choose an SVG file, paste SVG markup, or load the sample to begin.

Page context

Where Broken ID Detector fits

Broken ID Detector checks SVG url(#id), href, and xlink:href references and reports unresolved IDs.

Related guides

SVG security checklist for untrusted files

Detected references

The checker scans SVG attributes for url(#id), href="#id", and xlink:href="#id" references.

Use cases

Use it after editing defs, merging SVGs, exporting sprites, or manually deleting gradients, masks, clipPaths, and symbols.

Broken ID Detector reports findings with severity and context — fix hard failures first, then re-run for a clean report.

What gets checked

Broken ID Detector parses the document locally and validates it against structural rules and this tool's focus area, reporting each finding with enough context to locate it.

Common findings and fixes

Typical issues include missing viewBox attributes, duplicate IDs, unsafe active content, and deprecated structures. Most have a direct fix in the matching edit or optimize tools.

Severity and manual review

Parse errors and unsafe content are hard failures; style-level findings need judgment based on where the SVG ships. Automated checks complement, not replace, a visual review.

Privacy

Validation runs locally in your browser. Files are parsed in the page and never uploaded.

How to use

Paste SVG. Paste SVG markup with defs or references.
Check references. Review detected and broken ID references.
Repair IDs. Add missing targets or update references in your source SVG.

Frequently asked questions

Does it fix broken references?: No. It reports missing targets so you can restore or rename the referenced ID.
Does it inspect CSS files?: No. It scans the SVG markup you paste, including inline style attributes.
Can it detect missing clipPath IDs?: Yes. clip-path="url(#id)" references are included.
Is Broken ID Detector free?: Yes. SVGKit tools are free to use with no account required.
Does Broken ID Detector upload my files?: No. The tool runs entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your device.
Which standards does it check against?: The SVG specification plus the specific rules this tool focuses on. Findings reference the rule so you can judge each one.
Does it fix problems automatically?: No. Validation reports findings; the edit and optimize tools apply the fixes.
Can it produce false positives?: Rarely. When a finding does not apply to your context, note it and move on — the tool cannot see how the SVG is consumed.