SVG vs PNG: Which Should You Use?
Both formats have their place. Learn when to use SVG (vector) vs PNG (raster) to get the best results for your project.
Use SVG For:
- Logos and brand marks
- Icons and UI elements
- Illustrations and line art
- Graphics that need to scale
- Print materials
Use PNG For:
- Photographs
- Complex images with many colors
- Screenshots
- Images with subtle gradients
- Raster art/digital paintings
Key Differences Explained
SVG
Scales infinitely without quality loss. A 1KB SVG looks identical whether displayed at 50px or 5000px. Perfect for responsive websites where graphics appear at different sizes on different devices.
Winner for graphics that need to scale
PNG
Fixed resolution. A 100x100 PNG scaled to 500x500 will appear blurry and pixelated. You need to create separate files for each size needed.
Quality degrades when enlarged
SVG
Often tiny - a logo might be 2-10KB. File size depends on complexity (number of paths), not dimensions. A simple icon could be under 1KB.
Usually smaller for simple graphics
PNG
Size depends on dimensions and colors. A 1000x1000 PNG logo might be 50-500KB. More pixels and colors = larger file. Can be compressed but loses lossless quality.
Better for complex/photographic images
SVG
Fully editable - change colors, resize elements, modify paths. Can be edited in code (it's just XML text) or design software. CSS can style SVGs directly on web pages.
Maximum flexibility
PNG
Limited editing. Changing colors requires image editing software and affects quality. Can't separate elements. Modifications are destructive.
Hard to modify without quality loss
SVG
All modern browsers support SVG natively. Works in most design software. Can be embedded directly in HTML. Some older email clients have limited support.
Excellent modern support
PNG
Universal support everywhere - all browsers, all software, all devices. Works in emails, documents, presentations. The most compatible image format.
Maximum compatibility
SVG vs PNG: At a Glance
| Feature | SVG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Vector (math-based) | Raster (pixel-based) |
| Scalability | Infinite, lossless | Fixed resolution |
| File Size (logo) | ~2-10KB | ~50-500KB |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | CSS/JS animations | No (use APNG) |
| Best For | Logos, icons, illustrations | Photos, screenshots |
| Editable | Yes, via code/software | Destructive edits only |
| SEO/Accessibility | Text is indexable | Requires alt text |
| Print Quality | Perfect at any size | Depends on resolution |
Real-World Examples
Why SVG: Your logo appears in the header (small), hero section (large), and favicon (tiny). SVG handles all sizes perfectly with one file.
Bonus: Smaller file = faster page load = better SEO.
Why PNG: Photos have millions of colors and subtle gradients. SVG can't capture photographic detail - it would create huge, approximate files.
Tip: Use JPEG for photos without transparency, PNG when you need transparency.
Why SVG: Icons need to be crisp at 16px and 64px. SVG icons can also change color with CSS - perfect for hover states and themes.
Example: A 50-icon set might be 25KB total as SVG vs 500KB as PNG sprites.
Why PNG: Screenshots capture exact pixels including text rendering, UI chrome, and varied content. PNG preserves this perfectly with lossless compression.
Note: PNG-24 for quality, PNG-8 for smaller files with limited colors.
Why SVG: Charts, graphs, and data visualizations scale perfectly. Text remains crisp and searchable. Can be interactive with JavaScript.
Tools: D3.js, Chart.js, and most charting libraries output SVG.
Why PNG: Social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) don't support SVG uploads. Export at recommended dimensions (1200x630 for link previews).
Workflow: Design in vector software, export as PNG at specific sizes.
When to Convert PNG to SVG
Many people have logos and graphics stuck in PNG format. Here's when conversion makes sense:
Logos with solid colors and clear shapes
Simple icons and illustrations
Line art and drawings
Text-based graphics
Flat design graphics
Photographs or photographic elements
Complex gradients and shadows
Watercolor or painterly textures
Images with thousands of colors
Blurry or low-quality source images
Free to try • AI-powered conversion • Results in seconds
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically yes, but results vary. Simple graphics with clear shapes convert beautifully. Photos and complex images will produce approximate, often unusable results. The conversion traces edges and creates paths - it works great for logos but not for photographs.
No! They serve different purposes. Use SVG for graphics that need to scale (logos, icons). Use PNG for photos, screenshots, and complex images. The "better" format depends on your specific use case, not a universal rule.
No. While modern email clients support SVG, many (including some Outlook versions) don't render them properly. For emails, PNG is still the safe choice. Use SVG on websites, PNG for email templates.
Yes! SVG supports full alpha transparency. You can have transparent backgrounds, semi-transparent elements, and complex opacity effects - everything PNG can do and more.
SVG (or PDF from vector source) is better for printing logos and graphics because it's resolution-independent. For photos in print, use high-resolution images (300+ DPI). Never enlarge a PNG for print - it will look pixelated.
Convert Your PNGs to Scalable SVGs
Have logos, icons, or graphics stuck in PNG format? Convert them to SVG for infinite scalability and smaller file sizes.
1 free credit • AI-powered • Professional results