What it does
Adwaita Icon Theme maintains symbolic artwork for GNOME's core interface. Its SVG workflow supports runtime GTK recolouring, but the collection makes no promise of a stable public icon API. Independent app developers are directed to a separate Icon Development Kit.
Adwaita is the private icon set for GNOME core interfaces such as Files and GNOME Shell. It provides no stable public asset API. Independent application developers are directed to the Icon Development Kit instead of relying on these internal icon names.
Core contributors work with the combined symbolic artwork in src/symbolic/core.svg, alongside older individual SVGs. GTK applies runtime colours, including warning, error and success treatments. An apparently invisible path still needs care because GTK can override its fill; strokes must be converted to paths before export. Cursor artwork is maintained in a separate module.
The artwork can be used under either LGPLv3 or CC BY-SA 3.0, with the applicable notices and GNOME Project credit.
Strengths
- The symbolic source workflow includes runtime colour guidance.
- Artwork offers a choice of LGPLv3 or CC BY-SA 3.0 terms.
Watch out for
- Internal icon names are not a stable public asset API.
- Cursor artwork is maintained separately.
Best for
- GNOME core maintainers
- Designers studying GNOME symbolic-icon construction
Sources
- Adwaita Icon Theme README (Oct 27, 2026)
- Adwaita Copying Terms (Oct 27, 2026)