SVG vs PNG: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
SVG describes shapes and stays sharp at any size; PNG is a grid of pixels and blurs when enlarged. Use SVG for logos, icons and charts wherever it is accepted, and PNG when a program or upload form needs a pixel image — or when the picture is a photo or screenshot.
SVG vs PNG Side by Side
| SVG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics | PNG: Portable Network Graphics |
| File extension | SVG: .svg | PNG: .png |
| How it stores data | SVG: Vector shapes described in XML text | PNG: Lossless compression |
| File size | SVG: depends on what is inside | PNG: large (lossless) |
| Created by | SVG: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), 2001 | PNG: PNG Development Group (W3C), 1996 |
| Best for | SVG: logos, icons, charts and illustrations | PNG: screenshots, logos, interface graphics, images that need a transparent background |
| Watch out | SVG: it cannot hold a photograph, and many apps and upload forms only accept pixel formats | PNG: photographs come out several times larger than as JPG or WebP |
| Opens with | SVG: every browser, Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma | PNG: every browser, phone, image viewer and editor |
Choose SVG When
- Logos and icons on a website
- Graphics that must scale from a favicon to a poster
- Illustrations that will be edited as shapes
Choose PNG When
- Uploads to apps, marketplaces and social networks
- Office documents and presentations
- Screenshots and anything containing a photograph
Convert Between SVG and PNG
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SVG or PNG?
SVG describes shapes and stays sharp at any size; PNG is a grid of pixels and blurs when enlarged. Use SVG for logos, icons and charts wherever it is accepted, and PNG when a program or upload form needs a pixel image — or when the picture is a photo or screenshot.
When should I use SVG?
Logos and icons on a website. Graphics that must scale from a favicon to a poster. Illustrations that will be edited as shapes.
When should I use PNG?
Uploads to apps, marketplaces and social networks. Office documents and presentations. Screenshots and anything containing a photograph.
What is SVG?
SVG describes a picture as shapes, lines and text instead of pixels, so it stays sharp at any size. It is the web's format for logos, icons and illustrations.
What is PNG?
PNG stores every pixel exactly, with an optional transparency channel. That makes it the usual choice for screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything with sharp edges or text.
Can I convert between SVG and PNG?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert SVG to PNG with the converter linked on this page.