diff --git a/core/block_animations.js b/core/block_animations.js
index 5c52a20c4..856b444fb 100644
--- a/core/block_animations.js
+++ b/core/block_animations.js
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@ Blockly.blockAnimations.connectionUiEffect = function(block) {
     xy.x += (block.RTL ? -23 : 23) * scale;
     xy.y += 3 * scale;
   }
-  var ripple = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle',
+  var ripple = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE,
       {
         'cx': xy.x,
         'cy': xy.y,
diff --git a/core/block_drag_surface.js b/core/block_drag_surface.js
index 31b8a4396..ed01b72fc 100644
--- a/core/block_drag_surface.js
+++ b/core/block_drag_surface.js
@@ -82,14 +82,16 @@ Blockly.BlockDragSurfaceSvg.prototype.createDom = function() {
   if (this.SVG_) {
     return;  // Already created.
   }
-  this.SVG_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('svg', {
-    'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
-    'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
-    'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
-    'version': '1.1',
-    'class': 'blocklyBlockDragSurface'
-  }, this.container_);
-  this.dragGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, this.SVG_);
+  this.SVG_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG, {
+        'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
+        'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
+        'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
+        'version': '1.1',
+        'class': 'blocklyBlockDragSurface'
+      }, this.container_);
+  this.dragGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, this.SVG_);
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/core/block_svg.js b/core/block_svg.js
index ab2958368..2cd82cf3e 100644
--- a/core/block_svg.js
+++ b/core/block_svg.js
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ Blockly.BlockSvg = function(workspace, prototypeName, opt_id) {
    * @type {!SVGGElement}
    * @private
    */
-  this.svgGroup_ = /** @type {!SVGGElement} */ (
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null));
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
   this.svgGroup_.translate_ = '';
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/bubble.js b/core/bubble.js
index 7208d8492..51ce808ce 100644
--- a/core/bubble.js
+++ b/core/bubble.js
@@ -234,7 +234,8 @@ Blockly.Bubble.prototype.createDom_ = function(content, hasResize) {
     [...content goes here...]
   </g>
   */
-  this.bubbleGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+  this.bubbleGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
   var filter =
       {'filter': 'url(#' +
       this.workspace_.getRenderer().getConstants().embossFilterId + ')'};
@@ -243,11 +244,14 @@ Blockly.Bubble.prototype.createDom_ = function(content, hasResize) {
     // https://github.com/google/blockly/issues/99
     filter = {};
   }
-  var bubbleEmboss = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  var bubbleEmboss = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       filter, this.bubbleGroup_);
-  this.bubbleArrow_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path', {},
+  this.bubbleArrow_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH, {},
       bubbleEmboss);
-  this.bubbleBack_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.bubbleBack_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyDraggable',
         'x': 0,
@@ -257,21 +261,25 @@ Blockly.Bubble.prototype.createDom_ = function(content, hasResize) {
       },
       bubbleEmboss);
   if (hasResize) {
-    this.resizeGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+    this.resizeGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
         {'class': this.workspace_.RTL ?
                   'blocklyResizeSW' : 'blocklyResizeSE'},
         this.bubbleGroup_);
     var resizeSize = 2 * Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH;
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('polygon',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.POLYGON,
         {'points': '0,x x,x x,0'.replace(/x/g, resizeSize.toString())},
         this.resizeGroup_);
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
         {
           'class': 'blocklyResizeLine',
           'x1': resizeSize / 3, 'y1': resizeSize - 1,
           'x2': resizeSize - 1, 'y2': resizeSize / 3
         }, this.resizeGroup_);
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
         {
           'class': 'blocklyResizeLine',
           'x1': resizeSize * 2 / 3,
diff --git a/core/comment.js b/core/comment.js
index 54c102b08..5127042fe 100644
--- a/core/comment.js
+++ b/core/comment.js
@@ -90,13 +90,15 @@ Blockly.utils.object.inherits(Blockly.Comment, Blockly.Icon);
  */
 Blockly.Comment.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
   // Circle.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE,
       {'class': 'blocklyIconShape', 'r': '8', 'cx': '8', 'cy': '8'},
       group);
   // Can't use a real '?' text character since different browsers and operating
   // systems render it differently.
   // Body of question mark.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconSymbol',
         'd': 'm6.8,10h2c0.003,-0.617 0.271,-0.962 0.633,-1.266 2.875,-2.405' +
@@ -104,7 +106,8 @@ Blockly.Comment.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
           '-1.201,0.998 -1.201,1.528 -1.204,2.19z'},
       group);
   // Dot of question mark.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconSymbol',
         'x': '6.8',
@@ -133,7 +136,8 @@ Blockly.Comment.prototype.createEditor_ = function() {
    * For non-editable mode see Warning.textToDom_.
    */
 
-  this.foreignObject_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('foreignObject',
+  this.foreignObject_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FOREIGNOBJECT,
       {'x': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH, 'y': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH},
       null);
 
diff --git a/core/field.js b/core/field.js
index d1e501cc3..a9d54ff2f 100644
--- a/core/field.js
+++ b/core/field.js
@@ -298,8 +298,8 @@ Blockly.Field.prototype.init = function() {
     // Field has already been initialized once.
     return;
   }
-  this.fieldGroup_ = /** @type {!SVGGElement} **/
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null));
+  this.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
   if (!this.isVisible()) {
     this.fieldGroup_.style.display = 'none';
   }
@@ -336,17 +336,16 @@ Blockly.Field.prototype.initModel = function() {
  * @protected
  */
 Blockly.Field.prototype.createBorderRect_ = function() {
-  this.borderRect_ = /** @type {!SVGRectElement} **/
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
-          {
-            'rx': this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_RADIUS,
-            'ry': this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_RADIUS,
-            'x': 0,
-            'y': 0,
-            'height': this.size_.height,
-            'width': this.size_.width,
-            'class': 'blocklyFieldRect'
-          }, this.fieldGroup_));
+  this.borderRect_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT, {
+        'rx': this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_RADIUS,
+        'ry': this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_RADIUS,
+        'x': 0,
+        'y': 0,
+        'height': this.size_.height,
+        'width': this.size_.width,
+        'class': 'blocklyFieldRect'
+      }, this.fieldGroup_);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -356,11 +355,10 @@ Blockly.Field.prototype.createBorderRect_ = function() {
  * @protected
  */
 Blockly.Field.prototype.createTextElement_ = function() {
-  this.textElement_ = /** @type {!SVGTextElement} **/
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('text',
-          {
-            'class': 'blocklyText',
-          }, this.fieldGroup_));
+  this.textElement_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TEXT, {
+        'class': 'blocklyText',
+      }, this.fieldGroup_);
   if (this.getConstants().FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_CENTER) {
     this.textElement_.setAttribute('dominant-baseline', 'central');
   }
diff --git a/core/field_angle.js b/core/field_angle.js
index 04133dbf4..bc7260051 100644
--- a/core/field_angle.js
+++ b/core/field_angle.js
@@ -236,7 +236,8 @@ Blockly.FieldAngle.prototype.configure_ = function(config) {
 Blockly.FieldAngle.prototype.initView = function() {
   Blockly.FieldAngle.superClass_.initView.call(this);
   // Add the degree symbol to the left of the number, even in RTL (issue #2380)
-  this.symbol_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('tspan', {}, null);
+  this.symbol_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TSPAN, {}, null);
   this.symbol_.appendChild(document.createTextNode('\u00B0'));
   this.textElement_.appendChild(this.symbol_);
 };
@@ -283,41 +284,46 @@ Blockly.FieldAngle.prototype.showEditor_ = function(opt_e) {
  * @private
  */
 Blockly.FieldAngle.prototype.dropdownCreate_ = function() {
-  var svg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('svg', {
-    'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
-    'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
-    'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
-    'version': '1.1',
-    'height': (Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF * 2) + 'px',
-    'width': (Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF * 2) + 'px',
-    'style': 'touch-action: none'
-  }, null);
-  var circle = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle', {
-    'cx': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-    'cy': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-    'r': Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS,
-    'class': 'blocklyAngleCircle'
-  }, svg);
-  this.gauge_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path', {
-    'class': 'blocklyAngleGauge'
-  }, svg);
-  this.line_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line', {
-    'x1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-    'y1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-    'class': 'blocklyAngleLine'
-  }, svg);
+  var svg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG, {
+        'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
+        'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
+        'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
+        'version': '1.1',
+        'height': (Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF * 2) + 'px',
+        'width': (Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF * 2) + 'px',
+        'style': 'touch-action: none'
+      }, null);
+  var circle = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE, {
+        'cx': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+        'cy': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+        'r': Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS,
+        'class': 'blocklyAngleCircle'
+      }, svg);
+  this.gauge_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH, {
+        'class': 'blocklyAngleGauge'
+      }, svg);
+  this.line_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE, {
+        'x1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+        'y1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+        'class': 'blocklyAngleLine'
+      }, svg);
   // Draw markers around the edge.
   for (var angle = 0; angle < 360; angle += 15) {
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line', {
-      'x1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS,
-      'y1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-      'x2': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS -
-          (angle % 45 == 0 ? 10 : 5),
-      'y2': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
-      'class': 'blocklyAngleMarks',
-      'transform': 'rotate(' + angle + ',' +
-          Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + ',' + Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + ')'
-    }, svg);
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE, {
+          'x1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS,
+          'y1': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+          'x2': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + Blockly.FieldAngle.RADIUS -
+              (angle % 45 == 0 ? 10 : 5),
+          'y2': Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF,
+          'class': 'blocklyAngleMarks',
+          'transform': 'rotate(' + angle + ',' +
+              Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + ',' + Blockly.FieldAngle.HALF + ')'
+        }, svg);
   }
 
   // The angle picker is different from other fields in that it updates on
diff --git a/core/field_dropdown.js b/core/field_dropdown.js
index bdbe27f9e..73d106e63 100644
--- a/core/field_dropdown.js
+++ b/core/field_dropdown.js
@@ -212,8 +212,8 @@ Blockly.FieldDropdown.prototype.initView = function() {
   }
   this.createTextElement_();
 
-  this.imageElement_ = /** @type {!SVGImageElement} */
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image', {}, this.fieldGroup_));
+  this.imageElement_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE, {}, this.fieldGroup_);
 
   if (this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW) {
     this.createSVGArrow_();
@@ -242,8 +242,8 @@ Blockly.FieldDropdown.prototype.shouldAddBorderRect_ = function() {
  * @protected
  */
 Blockly.FieldDropdown.prototype.createTextArrow_ = function() {
-  this.arrow_ = /** @type {!SVGTSpanElement} */
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('tspan', {}, this.textElement_));
+  this.arrow_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TSPAN, {}, this.textElement_);
   this.arrow_.appendChild(document.createTextNode(
       this.sourceBlock_.RTL ?
       Blockly.FieldDropdown.ARROW_CHAR + ' ' :
@@ -260,10 +260,11 @@ Blockly.FieldDropdown.prototype.createTextArrow_ = function() {
  * @protected
  */
 Blockly.FieldDropdown.prototype.createSVGArrow_ = function() {
-  this.svgArrow_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image', {
-    'height': this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW_SIZE + 'px',
-    'width': this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW_SIZE + 'px'
-  }, this.fieldGroup_);
+  this.svgArrow_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE, {
+        'height': this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW_SIZE + 'px',
+        'width': this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW_SIZE + 'px'
+      }, this.fieldGroup_);
   this.svgArrow_.setAttributeNS(Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS, 'xlink:href',
       this.getConstants().FIELD_DROPDOWN_SVG_ARROW_DATAURI);
 };
diff --git a/core/field_image.js b/core/field_image.js
index d6474ea3b..d0ec555cb 100644
--- a/core/field_image.js
+++ b/core/field_image.js
@@ -176,15 +176,14 @@ Blockly.FieldImage.prototype.configure_ = function(config) {
  * @package
  */
 Blockly.FieldImage.prototype.initView = function() {
-  this.imageElement_ = /** @type {!SVGImageElement} */
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-          'image',
-          {
-            'height': this.imageHeight_ + 'px',
-            'width': this.size_.width + 'px',
-            'alt': this.altText_
-          },
-          this.fieldGroup_));
+  this.imageElement_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
+      {
+        'height': this.imageHeight_ + 'px',
+        'width': this.size_.width + 'px',
+        'alt': this.altText_
+      },
+      this.fieldGroup_);
   this.imageElement_.setAttributeNS(Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
       'xlink:href', /** @type {string} */ (this.value_));
 
diff --git a/core/field_multilineinput.js b/core/field_multilineinput.js
index 0660aa571..4b5ccd741 100644
--- a/core/field_multilineinput.js
+++ b/core/field_multilineinput.js
@@ -75,11 +75,10 @@ Blockly.FieldMultilineInput.fromJson = function(options) {
  */
 Blockly.FieldMultilineInput.prototype.initView = function() {
   this.createBorderRect_();
-  this.textGroup_ = /** @type {!SVGGElement} **/
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
-          {
-            'class': 'blocklyEditableText',
-          }, this.fieldGroup_));
+  this.textGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {
+        'class': 'blocklyEditableText',
+      }, this.fieldGroup_);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -134,12 +133,13 @@ Blockly.FieldMultilineInput.prototype.render_ = function() {
   for (var i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
     var lineHeight = this.getConstants().FIELD_TEXT_HEIGHT +
         this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_Y_PADDING;
-    var span = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('text', {
-      'class': 'blocklyText blocklyMultilineText',
-      x: this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_X_PADDING,
-      y: y + this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_Y_PADDING,
-      dy: this.getConstants().FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE
-    }, this.textGroup_);
+    var span = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TEXT, {
+          'class': 'blocklyText blocklyMultilineText',
+          x: this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_X_PADDING,
+          y: y + this.getConstants().FIELD_BORDER_RECT_Y_PADDING,
+          dy: this.getConstants().FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE
+        }, this.textGroup_);
     span.appendChild(document.createTextNode(lines[i]));
     y += lineHeight;
   }
diff --git a/core/flyout_base.js b/core/flyout_base.js
index 547035ad3..2d382a2be 100644
--- a/core/flyout_base.js
+++ b/core/flyout_base.js
@@ -223,8 +223,10 @@ Blockly.Flyout.prototype.dragAngleRange_ = 70;
  * Creates the flyout's DOM.  Only needs to be called once.  The flyout can
  * either exist as its own svg element or be a g element nested inside a
  * separate svg element.
- * @param {string} tagName The type of tag to put the flyout in. This
- *     should be <svg> or <g>.
+ * @param {string|
+ * !Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGSVGElement>|
+ * !Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGGElement>} tagName The type of tag to
+ *     put the flyout in. This should be <svg> or <g>.
  * @return {!SVGElement} The flyout's SVG group.
  */
 Blockly.Flyout.prototype.createDom = function(tagName) {
@@ -238,7 +240,8 @@ Blockly.Flyout.prototype.createDom = function(tagName) {
   // hide/show code will set up proper visibility and size later.
   this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(tagName,
       {'class': 'blocklyFlyout', 'style': 'display: none'}, null);
-  this.svgBackground_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.svgBackground_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'class': 'blocklyFlyoutBackground'}, this.svgGroup_);
   this.svgGroup_.appendChild(this.workspace_.createDom());
   this.workspace_.getThemeManager().subscribe(
@@ -825,7 +828,8 @@ Blockly.Flyout.prototype.initFlyoutButton_ = function(button, x, y) {
 Blockly.Flyout.prototype.createRect_ = function(block, x, y, blockHW, index) {
   // Create an invisible rectangle under the block to act as a button.  Just
   // using the block as a button is poor, since blocks have holes in them.
-  var rect = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  var rect = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'fill-opacity': 0,
         'x': x,
diff --git a/core/flyout_button.js b/core/flyout_button.js
index 8585c7187..85a64f2e2 100644
--- a/core/flyout_button.js
+++ b/core/flyout_button.js
@@ -119,12 +119,14 @@ Blockly.FlyoutButton.prototype.createDom = function() {
     cssClass += ' ' + this.cssClass_;
   }
 
-  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {'class': cssClass},
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {'class': cssClass},
       this.workspace_.getCanvas());
 
   if (!this.isLabel_) {
     // Shadow rectangle (light source does not mirror in RTL).
-    var shadow = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+    var shadow = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
         {
           'class': 'blocklyFlyoutButtonShadow',
           'rx': 4, 'ry': 4, 'x': 1, 'y': 1
@@ -132,7 +134,8 @@ Blockly.FlyoutButton.prototype.createDom = function() {
         this.svgGroup_);
   }
   // Background rectangle.
-  var rect = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  var rect = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': this.isLabel_ ?
             'blocklyFlyoutLabelBackground' : 'blocklyFlyoutButtonBackground',
@@ -140,7 +143,8 @@ Blockly.FlyoutButton.prototype.createDom = function() {
       },
       this.svgGroup_);
 
-  var svgText = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('text',
+  var svgText = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TEXT,
       {
         'class': this.isLabel_ ? 'blocklyFlyoutLabelText' : 'blocklyText',
         'x': 0,
diff --git a/core/grid.js b/core/grid.js
index 89b1a4ca8..afa48991d 100644
--- a/core/grid.js
+++ b/core/grid.js
@@ -196,22 +196,26 @@ Blockly.Grid.createDom = function(rnd, gridOptions, defs) {
       <rect stroke="#888" />
     </pattern>
   */
-  var gridPattern = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('pattern',
+  var gridPattern = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATTERN,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyGridPattern' + rnd,
         'patternUnits': 'userSpaceOnUse'
       }, defs);
   if (gridOptions['length'] > 0 && gridOptions['spacing'] > 0) {
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
         {'stroke': gridOptions['colour']}, gridPattern);
     if (gridOptions['length'] > 1) {
-      Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
           {'stroke': gridOptions['colour']}, gridPattern);
     }
     // x1, y1, x1, x2 properties will be set later in update.
   } else {
     // Edge 16 doesn't handle empty patterns
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('line', {}, gridPattern);
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE, {}, gridPattern);
   }
   return gridPattern;
 };
diff --git a/core/icon.js b/core/icon.js
index 0a180ce69..645f831ce 100644
--- a/core/icon.js
+++ b/core/icon.js
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ Blockly.Icon.prototype.createIcon = function() {
     ...
   </g>
   */
-  this.iconGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.iconGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyIconGroup'}, null);
   if (this.block_.isInFlyout) {
     Blockly.utils.dom.addClass(
diff --git a/core/inject.js b/core/inject.js
index 93651f834..d325ea617 100644
--- a/core/inject.js
+++ b/core/inject.js
@@ -113,20 +113,22 @@ Blockly.createDom_ = function(container, options) {
     ...
   </svg>
   */
-  var svg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('svg', {
-    'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
-    'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
-    'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
-    'version': '1.1',
-    'class': 'blocklySvg',
-    'tabindex': '0'
-  }, container);
+  var svg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG, {
+        'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
+        'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
+        'xmlns:xlink': Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS,
+        'version': '1.1',
+        'class': 'blocklySvg',
+        'tabindex': '0'
+      }, container);
   /*
   <defs>
     ... filters go here ...
   </defs>
   */
-  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('defs', {}, svg);
+  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.DEFS, {}, svg);
   // Each filter/pattern needs a unique ID for the case of multiple Blockly
   // instances on a page.  Browser behaviour becomes undefined otherwise.
   // https://neil.fraser.name/news/2015/11/01/
@@ -164,7 +166,7 @@ Blockly.createMainWorkspace_ = function(svg, options, blockDragSurface,
 
   if (!wsOptions.hasCategories && wsOptions.languageTree) {
     // Add flyout as an <svg> that is a sibling of the workspace svg.
-    var flyout = mainWorkspace.addFlyout('svg');
+    var flyout = mainWorkspace.addFlyout(Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG);
     Blockly.utils.dom.insertAfter(flyout, svg);
   }
   if (wsOptions.hasTrashcan) {
diff --git a/core/mutator.js b/core/mutator.js
index 884f1ca46..982c8174e 100644
--- a/core/mutator.js
+++ b/core/mutator.js
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ Blockly.Mutator.prototype.getWorkspace = function() {
  */
 Blockly.Mutator.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
   // Square with rounded corners.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconShape',
         'rx': '4',
@@ -90,7 +91,8 @@ Blockly.Mutator.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
       },
       group);
   // Gear teeth.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconSymbol',
         'd': 'm4.203,7.296 0,1.368 -0.92,0.677 -0.11,0.41 0.9,1.559 0.41,' +
@@ -104,7 +106,7 @@ Blockly.Mutator.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
       group);
   // Axle hole.
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'circle',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconShape',
         'r': '2.7',
@@ -138,7 +140,8 @@ Blockly.Mutator.prototype.createEditor_ = function() {
     [Workspace]
   </svg>
   */
-  this.svgDialog_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('svg',
+  this.svgDialog_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG,
       {'x': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH, 'y': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH},
       null);
   // Convert the list of names into a list of XML objects for the flyout.
@@ -181,7 +184,8 @@ Blockly.Mutator.prototype.createEditor_ = function() {
   // a top level svg. Instead of handling scale themselves, mutators
   // inherit scale from the parent workspace.
   // To fix this, scale needs to be applied at a different level in the dom.
-  var flyoutSvg = hasFlyout ? this.workspace_.addFlyout('g') : null;
+  var flyoutSvg = hasFlyout ?
+      this.workspace_.addFlyout(Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G) : null;
   var background = this.workspace_.createDom('blocklyMutatorBackground');
 
   if (flyoutSvg) {
diff --git a/core/rendered_connection.js b/core/rendered_connection.js
index 811a0fe6b..b1d19fed8 100644
--- a/core/rendered_connection.js
+++ b/core/rendered_connection.js
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ Blockly.RenderedConnection.prototype.highlight = function() {
   var x = this.x - xy.x;
   var y = this.y - xy.y;
   Blockly.Connection.highlightedPath_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'path',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyHighlightedConnectionPath',
         'd': steps,
diff --git a/core/renderers/common/constants.js b/core/renderers/common/constants.js
index 434e5e3cd..d353dc1fc 100644
--- a/core/renderers/common/constants.js
+++ b/core/renderers/common/constants.js
@@ -1019,7 +1019,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
     ... filters go here ...
   </defs>
   */
-  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('defs', {}, svg);
+  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.DEFS, {}, svg);
   /*
     <filter id="blocklyEmbossFilter837493">
       <feGaussianBlur in="SourceAlpha" stdDeviation="1" result="blur" />
@@ -1034,11 +1035,14 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
                    k1="0" k2="1" k3="1" k4="0" />
     </filter>
   */
-  var embossFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('filter',
+  var embossFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FILTER,
       {'id': 'blocklyEmbossFilter' + this.randomIdentifier}, defs);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feGaussianBlur',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEGAUSSIANBLUR,
       {'in': 'SourceAlpha', 'stdDeviation': 1, 'result': 'blur'}, embossFilter);
-  var feSpecularLighting = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feSpecularLighting',
+  var feSpecularLighting = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FESPECULARLIGHTING,
       {
         'in': 'blur',
         'surfaceScale': 1,
@@ -1048,16 +1052,19 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
         'result': 'specOut'
       },
       embossFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('fePointLight',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEPOINTLIGHT,
       {'x': -5000, 'y': -10000, 'z': 20000}, feSpecularLighting);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
       {
         'in': 'specOut',
         'in2': 'SourceAlpha',
         'operator': 'in',
         'result': 'specOut'
       }, embossFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
       {
         'in': 'SourceGraphic',
         'in2': 'specOut',
@@ -1077,22 +1084,26 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
       <path d="M 0 0 L 10 10 M 10 0 L 0 10" stroke="#cc0" />
     </pattern>
   */
-  var disabledPattern = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('pattern',
+  var disabledPattern = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATTERN,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyDisabledPattern' + this.randomIdentifier,
         'patternUnits': 'userSpaceOnUse',
         'width': 10,
         'height': 10
       }, defs);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {'width': 10, 'height': 10, 'fill': '#aaa'}, disabledPattern);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'d': 'M 0 0 L 10 10 M 10 0 L 0 10', 'stroke': '#cc0'}, disabledPattern);
   this.disabledPatternId = disabledPattern.id;
   this.disabledPattern_ = disabledPattern;
 
   if (Blockly.blockRendering.Debug) {
-    var debugFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('filter',
+    var debugFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FILTER,
         {
           'id': 'blocklyDebugFilter' + this.randomIdentifier,
           'height': '160%',
@@ -1103,21 +1114,26 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
         defs);
     // Set all gaussian blur pixels to 1 opacity before applying flood
     var debugComponentTransfer = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-        'feComponentTransfer', {'result': 'outBlur'}, debugFilter);
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFuncA',
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPONENTTRANSFER, {
+          'result': 'outBlur'
+        }, debugFilter);
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFUNCA,
         {
           'type': 'table', 'tableValues': '0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1'
         },
         debugComponentTransfer);
     // Color the highlight
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFlood',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFLOOD,
         {
           'flood-color': '#ff0000',
           'flood-opacity': 0.5,
           'result': 'outColor'
         },
         debugFilter);
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
         {
           'in': 'outColor', 'in2': 'outBlur',
           'operator': 'in', 'result': 'outGlow'
diff --git a/core/renderers/common/debugger.js b/core/renderers/common/debugger.js
index 0e5588b4b..0d3c0e46e 100644
--- a/core/renderers/common/debugger.js
+++ b/core/renderers/common/debugger.js
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawSpacerRow = function(row, cursorY, is
     cursorY -= height;
   }
 
-  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'rowSpacerRect blockRenderDebug',
         'x': isRtl ? -(row.xPos + row.width) : row.xPos,
@@ -133,7 +134,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawSpacerElem = function(elem, rowHeight
     xPos = -(xPos + width);
   }
   var yPos = elem.centerline - elem.height / 2;
-  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'elemSpacerRect blockRenderDebug',
         'x': xPos,
@@ -161,7 +163,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawRenderedElem = function(elem, isRtl)
       xPos = -(xPos + elem.width);
     }
     var yPos = elem.centerline - elem.height / 2;
-    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
         {
           'class': 'rowRenderingRect blockRenderDebug',
           'x': xPos,
@@ -177,7 +180,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawRenderedElem = function(elem, isRtl)
     if (Blockly.blockRendering.Types.isField(elem) &&
         elem.field instanceof Blockly.FieldLabel) {
       var baseline = this.constants_.FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE;
-      this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+      this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
           {
             'class': 'rowRenderingRect blockRenderDebug',
             'x': xPos,
@@ -233,7 +237,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawConnection = function(conn) {
     colour = 'goldenrod';
     fill = colour;
   }
-  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle',
+  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE,
       {
         'class': 'blockRenderDebug',
         'cx': conn.offsetInBlock_.x,
@@ -256,7 +261,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawRenderedRow = function(row, cursorY,
   if (!Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.config.rows) {
     return;
   }
-  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'elemRenderingRect blockRenderDebug',
         'x': isRtl ? -(row.xPos + row.width) : row.xPos,
@@ -274,7 +280,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawRenderedRow = function(row, cursorY,
   }
 
   if (Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.config.connectedBlockBounds) {
-    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
         {
           'class': 'connectedBlockWidth blockRenderDebug',
           'x': isRtl ? -(row.xPos + row.widthWithConnectedBlocks) : row.xPos,
@@ -328,7 +335,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawBoundingBox = function(info) {
   // Bounding box without children.
   var xPos = info.RTL ? -info.width : 0;
   var yPos = 0;
-  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blockBoundingBox blockRenderDebug',
         'x': xPos,
@@ -345,7 +353,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.prototype.drawBoundingBox = function(info) {
   if (Blockly.blockRendering.Debug.config.connectedBlockBounds) {
     // Bounding box with children.
     xPos = info.RTL ? -info.widthWithChildren : 0;
-    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+    this.debugElements_.push(Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
         {
           'class': 'blockRenderDebug',
           'x': xPos,
diff --git a/core/renderers/common/marker_svg.js b/core/renderers/common/marker_svg.js
index 2fda38c66..9f8414c13 100644
--- a/core/renderers/common/marker_svg.js
+++ b/core/renderers/common/marker_svg.js
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDom = function() {
       Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.CURSOR_CLASS :
       Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.MARKER_CLASS;
 
-  this.svgGroup_ =
-      Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {
         'class': className
       }, null);
 
@@ -588,7 +588,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
   </g>
   */
 
-  this.markerSvg_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.markerSvg_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {
         'width': this.constants_.CURSOR_WS_WIDTH,
         'height': this.constants_.WS_CURSOR_HEIGHT
@@ -596,7 +597,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
 
   // A horizontal line used to represent a workspace coordinate or next
   // connection.
-  this.markerSvgLine_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.markerSvgLine_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'width': this.constants_.CURSOR_WS_WIDTH,
         'height': this.constants_.WS_CURSOR_HEIGHT,
@@ -605,7 +607,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
       this.markerSvg_);
 
   // A filled in rectangle used to represent a stack.
-  this.markerSvgRect_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.markerSvgRect_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyVerticalMarker',
         'rx': 10, 'ry': 10,
@@ -614,7 +617,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
       this.markerSvg_);
 
   // A filled in puzzle piece used to represent an input value.
-  this.markerInput_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.markerInput_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'transform': '',
         'style': 'display: none'
@@ -623,7 +627,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
 
   // A path used to represent a previous connection and a block, an output
   // connection and a block, or a block.
-  this.markerBlock_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.markerBlock_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'transform': '',
         'style': 'display: none',
@@ -635,12 +640,15 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
   // Markers and stack markers don't blink.
   if (this.isCursor()) {
     var blinkProperties = this.getBlinkProperties_();
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('animate', blinkProperties,
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.ANIMATE, blinkProperties,
         this.markerSvgLine_);
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('animate', blinkProperties,
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.ANIMATE, blinkProperties,
         this.markerInput_);
     blinkProperties['attributeName'] = 'stroke';
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('animate', blinkProperties,
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.ANIMATE, blinkProperties,
         this.markerBlock_);
   }
 
diff --git a/core/renderers/common/path_object.js b/core/renderers/common/path_object.js
index 602f27448..f3dc86beb 100644
--- a/core/renderers/common/path_object.js
+++ b/core/renderers/common/path_object.js
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ Blockly.blockRendering.PathObject = function(root, style, constants) {
    * @type {!SVGElement}
    * @package
    */
-  this.svgPath = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.svgPath = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'class': 'blocklyPath'}, this.svgRoot);
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/renderers/geras/path_object.js b/core/renderers/geras/path_object.js
index dd572aab7..6fbc8165d 100644
--- a/core/renderers/geras/path_object.js
+++ b/core/renderers/geras/path_object.js
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ Blockly.geras.PathObject = function(root, style, constants) {
    * @type {SVGElement}
    * @package
    */
-  this.svgPathDark = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.svgPathDark = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'class': 'blocklyPathDark', 'transform': 'translate(1,1)'},
       this.svgRoot);
 
@@ -57,7 +58,8 @@ Blockly.geras.PathObject = function(root, style, constants) {
    * @type {!SVGElement}
    * @package
    */
-  this.svgPath = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.svgPath = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'class': 'blocklyPath'}, this.svgRoot);
 
   /**
@@ -65,7 +67,8 @@ Blockly.geras.PathObject = function(root, style, constants) {
    * @type {SVGElement}
    * @package
    */
-  this.svgPathLight = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  this.svgPathLight = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {'class': 'blocklyPathLight'}, this.svgRoot);
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/renderers/zelos/constants.js b/core/renderers/zelos/constants.js
index acfe8c36e..518e36daa 100644
--- a/core/renderers/zelos/constants.js
+++ b/core/renderers/zelos/constants.js
@@ -806,10 +806,12 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
     ... filters go here ...
   </defs>
   */
-  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('defs', {}, svg);
+  var defs = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.DEFS, {}, svg);
   // Using a dilate distorts the block shape.
   // Instead use a gaussian blur, and then set all alpha to 1 with a transfer.
-  var selectedGlowFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('filter',
+  var selectedGlowFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FILTER,
       {
         'id': 'blocklySelectedGlowFilter' + this.randomIdentifier,
         'height': '160%',
@@ -818,7 +820,8 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
         x: '-40%'
       },
       defs);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feGaussianBlur',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEGAUSSIANBLUR,
       {
         'in': 'SourceGraphic',
         'stdDeviation': this.SELECTED_GLOW_SIZE
@@ -826,21 +829,26 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
       selectedGlowFilter);
   // Set all gaussian blur pixels to 1 opacity before applying flood
   var selectedComponentTransfer = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'feComponentTransfer', {'result': 'outBlur'}, selectedGlowFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFuncA',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPONENTTRANSFER, {
+        'result': 'outBlur'
+      }, selectedGlowFilter);
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFUNCA,
       {
         'type': 'table', 'tableValues': '0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1'
       },
       selectedComponentTransfer);
   // Color the highlight
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFlood',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFLOOD,
       {
         'flood-color': this.SELECTED_GLOW_COLOUR,
         'flood-opacity': 1,
         'result': 'outColor'
       },
       selectedGlowFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
       {
         'in': 'outColor', 'in2': 'outBlur',
         'operator': 'in', 'result': 'outGlow'
@@ -851,7 +859,8 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
 
   // Using a dilate distorts the block shape.
   // Instead use a gaussian blur, and then set all alpha to 1 with a transfer.
-  var replacementGlowFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('filter',
+  var replacementGlowFilter = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FILTER,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyReplacementGlowFilter' + this.randomIdentifier,
         'height': '160%',
@@ -860,7 +869,8 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
         x: '-40%'
       },
       defs);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feGaussianBlur',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEGAUSSIANBLUR,
       {
         'in': 'SourceGraphic',
         'stdDeviation': this.REPLACEMENT_GLOW_SIZE
@@ -868,27 +878,33 @@ Blockly.zelos.ConstantProvider.prototype.createDom = function(svg,
       replacementGlowFilter);
   // Set all gaussian blur pixels to 1 opacity before applying flood
   var replacementComponentTransfer = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'feComponentTransfer', {'result': 'outBlur'}, replacementGlowFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFuncA',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPONENTTRANSFER, {
+        'result': 'outBlur'
+      }, replacementGlowFilter);
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFUNCA,
       {
         'type': 'table', 'tableValues': '0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1'
       },
       replacementComponentTransfer);
   // Color the highlight
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feFlood',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFLOOD,
       {
         'flood-color': this.REPLACEMENT_GLOW_COLOUR,
         'flood-opacity': 1,
         'result': 'outColor'
       },
       replacementGlowFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
       {
         'in': 'outColor', 'in2': 'outBlur',
         'operator': 'in', 'result': 'outGlow'
       },
       replacementGlowFilter);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('feComposite',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE,
       {
         'in': 'SourceGraphic', 'in2': 'outGlow',
         'operator': 'over',
diff --git a/core/renderers/zelos/marker_svg.js b/core/renderers/zelos/marker_svg.js
index 0b5d31f12..6b29d9b8d 100644
--- a/core/renderers/zelos/marker_svg.js
+++ b/core/renderers/zelos/marker_svg.js
@@ -111,17 +111,19 @@ Blockly.zelos.MarkerSvg.prototype.createDomInternal_ = function() {
 
   Blockly.zelos.MarkerSvg.superClass_.createDomInternal_.call(this);
 
-  this.markerCircle_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle', {
-    'r': this.constants_.CURSOR_RADIUS,
-    'style': 'display: none',
-    'stroke-width': this.constants_.CURSOR_STROKE_WIDTH
-  },
-  this.markerSvg_);
+  this.markerCircle_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE, {
+        'r': this.constants_.CURSOR_RADIUS,
+        'style': 'display: none',
+        'stroke-width': this.constants_.CURSOR_STROKE_WIDTH
+      },
+      this.markerSvg_);
 
   // Markers and stack cursors don't blink.
   if (this.isCursor()) {
     var blinkProperties = this.getBlinkProperties_();
-    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('animate', blinkProperties,
+    Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.ANIMATE, blinkProperties,
         this.markerCircle_);
   }
 
diff --git a/core/renderers/zelos/path_object.js b/core/renderers/zelos/path_object.js
index 360f329af..a4d63c301 100644
--- a/core/renderers/zelos/path_object.js
+++ b/core/renderers/zelos/path_object.js
@@ -218,12 +218,13 @@ Blockly.zelos.PathObject.prototype.setOutlinePath = function(name, pathString) {
  */
 Blockly.zelos.PathObject.prototype.getOutlinePath_ = function(name) {
   if (!this.outlines_[name]) {
-    this.outlines_[name] = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path', {
-      'class': 'blocklyOutlinePath',
-      // IE doesn't like paths without the data definition, set empty default
-      'd': ''
-    },
-    this.svgRoot);
+    this.outlines_[name] = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH, {
+          'class': 'blocklyOutlinePath',
+          // IE doesn't like paths without the data definition, set empty default
+          'd': ''
+        },
+        this.svgRoot);
   }
   if (this.remainingOutlines_) {
     delete this.remainingOutlines_[name];
diff --git a/core/scrollbar.js b/core/scrollbar.js
index 753e219de..832abaaa7 100644
--- a/core/scrollbar.js
+++ b/core/scrollbar.js
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Blockly.ScrollbarPair = function(workspace) {
   this.vScroll = new Blockly.Scrollbar(
       workspace, false, true, 'blocklyMainWorkspaceScrollbar');
   this.corner_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'rect',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'height': Blockly.Scrollbar.scrollbarThickness,
         'width': Blockly.Scrollbar.scrollbarThickness,
@@ -610,13 +610,16 @@ Blockly.Scrollbar.prototype.createDom_ = function(opt_class) {
     className += ' ' + opt_class;
   }
   this.outerSvg_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'svg', {'class': className}, null);
-  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, this.outerSvg_);
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG, {'class': className}, null);
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, this.outerSvg_);
   this.svgBackground_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'rect', {'class': 'blocklyScrollbarBackground'}, this.svgGroup_);
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT, {
+        'class': 'blocklyScrollbarBackground'
+      }, this.svgGroup_);
   var radius = Math.floor((Blockly.Scrollbar.scrollbarThickness - 5) / 2);
   this.svgHandle_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'rect',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyScrollbarHandle',
         'rx': radius,
diff --git a/core/toolbox.js b/core/toolbox.js
index 4e2f79904..080653d2d 100644
--- a/core/toolbox.js
+++ b/core/toolbox.js
@@ -201,7 +201,8 @@ Blockly.Toolbox.prototype.init = function() {
   }
 
   // Insert the flyout after the workspace.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.insertAfter(this.flyout_.createDom('svg'), svg);
+  Blockly.utils.dom.insertAfter(
+      this.flyout_.createDom(Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG), svg);
   this.flyout_.init(workspace);
 
   this.config_['cssCollapsedFolderIcon'] =
diff --git a/core/trashcan.js b/core/trashcan.js
index fcb2acc0c..0a743c509 100644
--- a/core/trashcan.js
+++ b/core/trashcan.js
@@ -258,21 +258,25 @@ Blockly.Trashcan.prototype.createDom = function() {
         clip-path="url(#blocklyTrashLidClipPath837493)"></image>
   </g>
   */
-  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyTrash'}, null);
   var clip;
   var rnd = String(Math.random()).substring(2);
-  clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('clipPath',
+  clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH,
       {'id': 'blocklyTrashBodyClipPath' + rnd},
       this.svgGroup_);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'width': this.WIDTH_,
         'height': this.BODY_HEIGHT_,
         'y': this.LID_HEIGHT_
       },
       clip);
-  var body = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image',
+  var body = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
       {
         'width': Blockly.SPRITE.width,
         'x': -this.SPRITE_LEFT_,
@@ -284,12 +288,15 @@ Blockly.Trashcan.prototype.createDom = function() {
   body.setAttributeNS(Blockly.utils.dom.XLINK_NS, 'xlink:href',
       this.workspace_.options.pathToMedia + Blockly.SPRITE.url);
 
-  clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('clipPath',
+  clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH,
       {'id': 'blocklyTrashLidClipPath' + rnd},
       this.svgGroup_);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {'width': this.WIDTH_, 'height': this.LID_HEIGHT_}, clip);
-  this.svgLid_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image',
+  this.svgLid_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
       {
         'width': Blockly.SPRITE.width,
         'x': -this.SPRITE_LEFT_,
@@ -322,7 +329,8 @@ Blockly.Trashcan.prototype.createDom = function() {
  */
 Blockly.Trashcan.prototype.init = function(verticalSpacing) {
   if (this.workspace_.options.maxTrashcanContents > 0) {
-    Blockly.utils.dom.insertAfter(this.flyout.createDom('svg'),
+    Blockly.utils.dom.insertAfter(
+        this.flyout.createDom(Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG),
         this.workspace_.getParentSvg());
     this.flyout.init(this.workspace_);
   }
diff --git a/core/utils/dom.js b/core/utils/dom.js
index 202889c05..ebe44964d 100644
--- a/core/utils/dom.js
+++ b/core/utils/dom.js
@@ -72,16 +72,135 @@ Blockly.utils.dom.cacheReference_ = 0;
  */
 Blockly.utils.dom.canvasContext_ = null;
 
+/**
+ * A name with the type of the SVG element stored in the generic.
+ * @param {string} tagName The SVG element tag name.
+ * @constructor
+ * @template T
+ */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType = function(tagName) {
+  /**
+   * @type {string}
+   * @private
+   */
+  this.tagName_ = tagName;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Returns the SVG element tag name.
+ * @return {string} The name.
+ * @override
+ */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.prototype.toString = function() {
+  return this.tagName_;
+};
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGAnimateElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.ANIMATE =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('animate');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGCircleElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('circle');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGClipPathElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('clipPath');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGDefsElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.DEFS =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('defs');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFECompositeElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPOSITE =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feComposite');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFEComponentTransferElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FECOMPONENTTRANSFER =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feComponentTransfer');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFEFloodElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFLOOD =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feFlood');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFEFuncAElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEFUNCA =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feFuncA');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFEGaussianBlurElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEGAUSSIANBLUR =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feGaussianBlur');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFEPointLightElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FEPOINTLIGHT =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('fePointLight');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFESpecularLightingElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FESPECULARLIGHTING =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('feSpecularLighting');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGFilterElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FILTER =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('filter');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGForeignObjectElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FOREIGNOBJECT =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('foreignObject');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGGElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('g');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGImageElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('image');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGLineElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('line');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGPathElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('path');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGPatternElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATTERN =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('pattern');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGPolygonElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.POLYGON =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('polygon');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGRectElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('rect');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGSVGElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('svg');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGTextElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TEXT =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('text');
+
+/** @type {!Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGTSpanElement>} */
+Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TSPAN =
+    new Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType('tspan');
+
+
 /**
  * Helper method for creating SVG elements.
- * @param {string} name Element's tag name.
+ * @param {string|Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<T>} name Element's tag name.
  * @param {!Object} attrs Dictionary of attribute names and values.
  * @param {Element=} opt_parent Optional parent on which to append the element.
- * @return {!SVGElement} Newly created SVG element.
+ * @return {T} Newly created SVG element.  The return type is {!SVGElement} if
+ *     name is a string or a more specific type if it a member of
+ *     Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType
+ * @template T
  */
 Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement = function(name, attrs, opt_parent) {
-  var e = /** @type {!SVGElement} */
-      (document.createElementNS(Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS, name));
+  var e = /** @type {T} */
+      (document.createElementNS(Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS, String(name)));
   for (var key in attrs) {
     e.setAttribute(key, attrs[key]);
   }
diff --git a/core/warning.js b/core/warning.js
index 915873706..474f15e24 100644
--- a/core/warning.js
+++ b/core/warning.js
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ Blockly.Warning.prototype.collapseHidden = false;
  */
 Blockly.Warning.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
   // Triangle with rounded corners.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconShape',
         'd': 'M2,15Q-1,15 0.5,12L6.5,1.7Q8,-1 9.5,1.7L15.5,12Q17,15 14,15z'
@@ -55,14 +56,16 @@ Blockly.Warning.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
   // Can't use a real '!' text character since different browsers and operating
   // systems render it differently.
   // Body of exclamation point.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconSymbol',
         'd': 'm7,4.8v3.16l0.27,2.27h1.46l0.27,-2.27v-3.16z'
       },
       group);
   // Dot of exclamation point.
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyIconSymbol',
         'x': '7', 'y': '11', 'height': '2', 'width': '2'
@@ -77,18 +80,17 @@ Blockly.Warning.prototype.drawIcon_ = function(group) {
  * @private
  */
 Blockly.Warning.textToDom_ = function(text) {
-  var paragraph = /** @type {!SVGTextElement} */
-      (Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-          'text',
-          {
-            'class': 'blocklyText blocklyBubbleText blocklyNoPointerEvents',
-            'y': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH
-          },
-          null)
-      );
+  var paragraph = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TEXT,
+      {
+        'class': 'blocklyText blocklyBubbleText blocklyNoPointerEvents',
+        'y': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH
+      },
+      null);
   var lines = text.split('\n');
   for (var i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
-    var tspanElement = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('tspan',
+    var tspanElement = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.TSPAN,
         {'dy': '1em', 'x': Blockly.Bubble.BORDER_WIDTH}, paragraph);
     var textNode = document.createTextNode(lines[i]);
     tspanElement.appendChild(textNode);
diff --git a/core/workspace_comment_render_svg.js b/core/workspace_comment_render_svg.js
index ee997e161..2480cbc56 100644
--- a/core/workspace_comment_render_svg.js
+++ b/core/workspace_comment_render_svg.js
@@ -74,14 +74,16 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.render = function() {
   this.createEditor_();
   this.svgGroup_.appendChild(this.foreignObject_);
 
-  this.svgHandleTarget_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.svgHandleTarget_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyCommentHandleTarget',
         'x': 0,
         'y': 0
       });
   this.svgGroup_.appendChild(this.svgHandleTarget_);
-  this.svgRectTarget_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  this.svgRectTarget_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyCommentTarget',
         'x': 0,
@@ -136,7 +138,7 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.createEditor_ = function() {
     </foreignObject>
   */
   this.foreignObject_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'foreignObject',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.FOREIGNOBJECT,
       {
         'x': 0,
         'y': Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.TOP_OFFSET,
@@ -171,25 +173,25 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.createEditor_ = function() {
  */
 Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.addResizeDom_ = function() {
   this.resizeGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'g',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {
         'class': this.RTL ? 'blocklyResizeSW' : 'blocklyResizeSE'
       },
       this.svgGroup_);
   var resizeSize = Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.RESIZE_SIZE;
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'polygon',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.POLYGON,
       {'points': '0,x x,x x,0'.replace(/x/g, resizeSize.toString())},
       this.resizeGroup_);
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'line',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyResizeLine',
         'x1': resizeSize / 3, 'y1': resizeSize - 1,
         'x2': resizeSize - 1, 'y2': resizeSize / 3
       }, this.resizeGroup_);
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'line',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyResizeLine',
         'x1': resizeSize * 2 / 3, 'y1': resizeSize - 1,
@@ -203,12 +205,13 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.addResizeDom_ = function() {
  */
 Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.addDeleteDom_ = function() {
   this.deleteGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'g',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyCommentDeleteIcon'
       },
       this.svgGroup_);
-  this.deleteIconBorder_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('circle',
+  this.deleteIconBorder_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CIRCLE,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyDeleteIconShape',
         'r': '7',
@@ -218,7 +221,7 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.addDeleteDom_ = function() {
       this.deleteGroup_);
   // x icon.
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'line',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
       {
         'x1': '5', 'y1': '10',
         'x2': '10', 'y2': '5',
@@ -227,7 +230,7 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg.prototype.addDeleteDom_ = function() {
       },
       this.deleteGroup_);
   Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'line',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.LINE,
       {
         'x1': '5', 'y1': '5',
         'x2': '10', 'y2': '10',
diff --git a/core/workspace_comment_svg.js b/core/workspace_comment_svg.js
index 4190074ba..62fbb93ed 100644
--- a/core/workspace_comment_svg.js
+++ b/core/workspace_comment_svg.js
@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceCommentSvg = function(workspace, content, height, width,
    * @private
    */
   this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'g', {'class': 'blocklyComment'}, null);
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {'class': 'blocklyComment'}, null);
   this.svgGroup_.translate_ = '';
 
   this.svgRect_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
-      'rect',
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'class': 'blocklyCommentRect',
         'x': 0,
diff --git a/core/workspace_drag_surface_svg.js b/core/workspace_drag_surface_svg.js
index 3ee7454be..11a27c6af 100644
--- a/core/workspace_drag_surface_svg.js
+++ b/core/workspace_drag_surface_svg.js
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceDragSurfaceSvg.prototype.createDom = function() {
   *   <g class="blocklyBubbleCanvas">/g>
   * </svg>
   */
-  this.SVG_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('svg',
+  this.SVG_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.SVG,
       {
         'xmlns': Blockly.utils.dom.SVG_NS,
         'xmlns:html': Blockly.utils.dom.HTML_NS,
diff --git a/core/workspace_svg.js b/core/workspace_svg.js
index dfa2430ff..b1f996e13 100644
--- a/core/workspace_svg.js
+++ b/core/workspace_svg.js
@@ -711,7 +711,8 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.createDom = function(opt_backgroundClass) {
    * </g>
    * @type {SVGElement}
    */
-  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyWorkspace'}, null);
 
   // Note that a <g> alone does not receive mouse events--it must have a
@@ -719,7 +720,8 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.createDom = function(opt_backgroundClass) {
   // flyout, the workspace will not receive mouse events.
   if (opt_backgroundClass) {
     /** @type {SVGElement} */
-    this.svgBackground_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+    this.svgBackground_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+        Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
         {'height': '100%', 'width': '100%', 'class': opt_backgroundClass},
         this.svgGroup_);
 
@@ -732,10 +734,12 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.createDom = function(opt_backgroundClass) {
     }
   }
   /** @type {SVGElement} */
-  this.svgBlockCanvas_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.svgBlockCanvas_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyBlockCanvas'}, this.svgGroup_);
   /** @type {SVGElement} */
-  this.svgBubbleCanvas_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.svgBubbleCanvas_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyBubbleCanvas'}, this.svgGroup_);
 
   if (!this.isFlyout) {
@@ -897,7 +901,10 @@ Blockly.WorkspaceSvg.prototype.addZoomControls = function() {
 
 /**
  * Add a flyout element in an element with the given tag name.
- * @param {string} tagName What type of tag the flyout belongs in.
+ * @param {string|
+ * !Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGSVGElement>|
+ * !Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType<!SVGGElement>} tagName What type of tag the
+ *     flyout belongs in.
  * @return {!Element} The element containing the flyout DOM.
  * @package
  */
diff --git a/core/zoom_controls.js b/core/zoom_controls.js
index 98e431f7f..b69d3e128 100644
--- a/core/zoom_controls.js
+++ b/core/zoom_controls.js
@@ -53,6 +53,35 @@ Blockly.ZoomControls = function(workspace) {
    * @private
    */
   this.onZoomOutWrapper_ = null;
+
+  /**
+   * The vertical distance between the workspace bottom edge and the control.
+   * The value is initialized during `init`.
+   * @type {?number}
+   * @private
+   */
+  this.verticalSpacing_ = null;
+
+  /**
+   * The zoom in svg <g> element.
+   * @type {SVGGElement}
+   * @private
+   */
+  this.zoomInGroup_ = null;
+
+  /**
+   * The zoom out svg <g> element.
+   * @type {SVGGElement}
+   * @private
+   */
+  this.zoomOutGroup_ = null;
+
+  /**
+   * The zoom reset svg <g> element.
+   * @type {SVGGElement}
+   * @private
+   */
+  this.zoomResetGroup_ = null;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -110,8 +139,8 @@ Blockly.ZoomControls.prototype.top_ = 0;
  * @return {!SVGElement} The zoom controls SVG group.
  */
 Blockly.ZoomControls.prototype.createDom = function() {
-  this.svgGroup_ =
-      Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+  this.svgGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
 
   // Each filter/pattern needs a unique ID for the case of multiple Blockly
   // instances on a page.  Browser behaviour becomes undefined otherwise.
@@ -217,20 +246,24 @@ Blockly.ZoomControls.prototype.createZoomOutSvg_ = function(rnd) {
         clip-path="url(#blocklyZoomoutClipPath837493)"></image>
   </g>
   */
-  this.zoomOutGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.zoomOutGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyZoom'}, this.svgGroup_);
-  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('clipPath',
+  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyZoomoutClipPath' + rnd
       },
       this.zoomOutGroup_);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'width': 32,
         'height': 32,
       },
       clip);
-  var zoomoutSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image',
+  var zoomoutSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
       {
         'width': Blockly.SPRITE.width,
         'height': Blockly.SPRITE.height,
@@ -264,20 +297,24 @@ Blockly.ZoomControls.prototype.createZoomInSvg_ = function(rnd) {
         clip-path="url(#blocklyZoominClipPath837493)"></image>
   </g>
   */
-  this.zoomInGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.zoomInGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyZoom'}, this.svgGroup_);
-  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('clipPath',
+  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyZoominClipPath' + rnd
       },
       this.zoomInGroup_);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'width': 32,
         'height': 32,
       },
       clip);
-  var zoominSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image',
+  var zoominSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
       {
         'width': Blockly.SPRITE.width,
         'height': Blockly.SPRITE.height,
@@ -329,20 +366,24 @@ Blockly.ZoomControls.prototype.createZoomResetSvg_ = function(rnd) {
         clip-path="url(#blocklyZoomresetClipPath837493)"></image>
   </g>
   */
-  this.zoomResetGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  this.zoomResetGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {'class': 'blocklyZoom'}, this.svgGroup_);
-  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('clipPath',
+  var clip = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.CLIPPATH,
       {
         'id': 'blocklyZoomresetClipPath' + rnd
       },
       this.zoomResetGroup_);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('rect',
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.RECT,
       {
         'width': 32,
         'height': 32
       },
       clip);
-  var zoomresetSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('image',
+  var zoomresetSvg = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.IMAGE,
       {
         'width': Blockly.SPRITE.width,
         'height': Blockly.SPRITE.height,
diff --git a/tests/mocha/field_checkbox_test.js b/tests/mocha/field_checkbox_test.js
index 7eaac4d5a..f7ff4dac6 100644
--- a/tests/mocha/field_checkbox_test.js
+++ b/tests/mocha/field_checkbox_test.js
@@ -159,7 +159,8 @@ suite('Checkbox Fields', function() {
   suite('Customizations', function() {
     suite('Check Character', function() {
       function assertCharacter(field, char) {
-        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+            Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
         field.sourceBlock_ = {
           RTL: false,
           rendered: true,
diff --git a/tests/mocha/field_label_serializable_test.js b/tests/mocha/field_label_serializable_test.js
index 8b7954a68..8d6ad9864 100644
--- a/tests/mocha/field_label_serializable_test.js
+++ b/tests/mocha/field_label_serializable_test.js
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ suite('Label Serializable Fields', function() {
 
   suite('Customizations', function() {
     function assertHasClass(labelField, cssClass) {
-      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
       labelField.constants_ = {
         FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
       };
@@ -100,7 +101,8 @@ suite('Label Serializable Fields', function() {
           labelField.textElement_, cssClass));
     }
     function assertDoesNotHaveClass(labelField, cssClass) {
-      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
       labelField.constants_ = {
         FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
       };
@@ -146,7 +148,8 @@ suite('Label Serializable Fields', function() {
     suite('setClass', function() {
       test('setClass', function() {
         var field = new Blockly.FieldLabelSerializable();
-        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+            Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
         field.constants_ = {
           FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
         };
diff --git a/tests/mocha/field_label_test.js b/tests/mocha/field_label_test.js
index 62a888aae..698f21f10 100644
--- a/tests/mocha/field_label_test.js
+++ b/tests/mocha/field_label_test.js
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ suite('Label Fields', function() {
 
   suite('Customizations', function() {
     function assertHasClass(labelField, cssClass) {
-      labelField.fieldGroup_ =
-          Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
       labelField.constants_ = {
         FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
       };
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ suite('Label Fields', function() {
           labelField.textElement_, cssClass));
     }
     function assertDoesNotHaveClass(labelField, cssClass) {
-      labelField.fieldGroup_ =
-          Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+      labelField.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+          Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
       labelField.constants_ = {
         FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
       };
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ suite('Label Fields', function() {
     suite('setClass', function() {
       test('setClass', function() {
         var field = new Blockly.FieldLabel();
-        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g', {}, null);
+        field.fieldGroup_ = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+            Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G, {}, null);
         field.constants_ = {
           FIELD_TEXT_BASELINE_Y: 13
         };
diff --git a/tests/rendering/svg_paths.html b/tests/rendering/svg_paths.html
index 48223e37c..128eb6be5 100644
--- a/tests/rendering/svg_paths.html
+++ b/tests/rendering/svg_paths.html
@@ -45,17 +45,19 @@ limitations under the License.
 var svgSpace;
 
 function addPathAt(path, x, y) {
-  var group = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('g',
+  var group = Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.G,
       {
         'transform': 'translate(' + (x + 50) + ', ' + y + ')'
       }, svgSpace);
-  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement('path', {
-    'd': 'M 0,0 ' + path,
-    'marker-start': 'url(#startDot)',
-    'marker-end': 'url(#endDot)',
-    'class': 'pathDebugClass'
-  },
-  group);
+  Blockly.utils.dom.createSvgElement(
+      Blockly.utils.dom.SvgElementType.PATH, {
+        'd': 'M 0,0 ' + path,
+        'marker-start': 'url(#startDot)',
+        'marker-end': 'url(#endDot)',
+        'class': 'pathDebugClass'
+      },
+      group);
 
 
   return group;