10 Places to Find Absolutely Free Vector Graphics
April 8, 2009 by Joel Reyes · 20 Comments 
Vector graphics allow the preservation of quality within an image. These graphics at times offer superior quality over the traditional (raster) image formats, such as Bitmap. This means that if you were to view a vector and bitmap image next to each other, as you zoomed in you’ll be able to see that the bitmap image will suffer from pixelation while the vector graphic’s quality will remain intact.
Here are 10 of the top sites where you’ll be able to grab absolutely free vector graphics that allow editing in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Most of these sites offer free vectors in several formats for quick and easy customization. Sites that showcase high-quality vectors can be a bit hard to find now-a-days, this is why we’ve done the job for you and assembled this collection for your enjoyment.
10 Websites with Completely Free Vectors
Vecteezy rants that although it may have a “stupid name” it still has a great selection of cool vectors. This site is updated on a weekly basis and offers the option of uploading your vectors as well. Vecteezy houses a wide variety of vectors, anything from animal mascots to glossy icons.
QVectors showcases all sorts of free quality vectors from all over the web. Very much like Vecteezy, on this site you’re also able to submit your vector work allowing you to gain exposure and recognition. Most of the files are in EPS format and licensed under Creative Commons.
This site offers a high quality stock of vectors with categories ranging from animal to vintage. You’ll encounter three pages of creative graphics carrying over 791+ free vectors.
As its name states freevectorgraphics.net contains a select collection of vectors through categories such as Abstract, Icon, Nature, and more. The site aims to be interactive as well, as it allows you to leave comments, tips, and hints on available vectors.
Vector Valley is a vectorial gallery showcasing quality graphics and artworks in various formats such as EPS, AI, CDR, and SVG. Check out the site because they claim to commence the offering of Vector Tutorials, Illustrators Profiles, and more.
Vector Portal is a huge database containing large quantities of vector files offered through the Creative Commons License. Users are allowed to freely use the artwork for whatever purpose they choose. To date the site states to have over 2 million downloads. Not only are you able to download vectors, however you’re also able to grab free designs for flyers, ads, cd labels, business cards and more.
This site offers an easily searchable and indexed catalogue of vector graphics. Their goal is to make the vectors as easy to search as possible. You can also participate on the site by submitting any possible vectors you’ve created or links to vectors you haven’t seen stocked on the site.
VectorTuts is mainly a blog dedicated to tutorials, articles, and all things vectors. It also has over 5 pages of artwork that focuses on high-quality free vector graphics. For the most part this site being a blog this allows you to leave your trace of thoughts in the form of comments on their collection of vectors.
VectorArt.org houses a great selection of free vector graphics downloadable in several file formats including (but not limited) to EPS and AI. You’re easily able to scan for graphics while being able to vote for the artwork you believe is the top notch.
Apart from the cool site design Dezignus offers 22+ pages of high-quality vector graphics absolutely free. Scan through various categories for a quick find of the right vector graphic you’re looking for. You can also find wallpapers, textures/backgrounds, Photoshop brushes, icons and much more.
If you enjoyed the above article, please feel free to leave an appetizing comment below!
This is a GREAT list, thank you for this! As a side note, if you can’t find what you’re after with the free list, I’ve always enjoyed the service provided by iStockPhoto. They have a good selection of Vector graphics available for a low price.
Which ones have SVG?
@my PC Techs
Thanks! That’s true iStockPhoto is another great site…it’s not free, however they do have a lot of good graphics.
@stelt
does SVG=Stock Vector Graphics?
Thanks.
All the vectors at Uberpiglet.com are in SVG.
You have missed out http://www.aivault.com/?cat=110
http://www.vectorpics.com
Great finds! Some of these sites are golden! When you say absolutely free does that mean I can use them in commercial work? I guess each site has varying terms and conditions? Always read the small print! Don’t want to get into any troubles…
You forgot www.designious.com absolutely free vectors in our freebies section
I just posted an article two days ago that lists 14 sources, including this site:
http://www.thegraphicmac.com/14-free-vector-art-resource-sites
I missed VectorArt.org though, so thanks for linking to them.
This is an excellent round up, I’ve only knew of a few and these are some great additions to that list.
Sometimes we just don’t have time to open illustrator and do it all ourselves, these will surly come in handy for inspiration and use.
Thank you.
Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for, I need some vectors for a project I’m doing.
Thanks for the list.
You can find lots of high quality free vector patterns [http://www.patternhead.com] at Patternhead dot com
@gaz – website design
for most of the sites yes. There are some that you may not possibly use them for commercial usage. You’ll have to read through the terms.
@ ALL
Thank you all for your comments! I hope you will continue to find this list useful.
Vecteezy kind of blows. Was there the other day. No search on the home page. Extremely silly. And I need a map of the United States. A search (from a sub page) showed zilch results for anything related to key words ‘United States’ and the like. This site gets too much recognition and is not that great.
Useful list, thanks.
Grafplus.com has also some unique vector files. you can add to this list
awesome collection!..thanks
Yay – sweet!
Thanks for this list!