Technical Documentation

SVG vs PNG: When to Use Each Format

Compare vector SVG and raster PNG to choose the right image format for websites, logos, email, and detailed artwork.

Use SVG for scalable vector artwork

Choose SVG for clean logos, icons, diagrams, and simple illustrations that need to resize across layouts or remain editable as vectors. SVG can also be styled or animated when embedded in a web page, subject to the way it is included and the browser's security rules.

Use PNG for fixed-size raster images

PNG is useful when a destination requires a raster image, when you need consistent rendering in an app that handles SVG inconsistently, or when the artwork contains transparency. PNG is lossless, but its pixel dimensions are fixed: enlarging it too far can make edges look soft.

Quick format checklist

Choose SVG for scalable icons, logos, and diagrams.
Choose PNG for transparent raster assets and workflows that require pixels.
Choose JPEG or WebP for many photographs, where lossy compression can reduce file size.
When converting SVG to PNG, export at or above the largest display dimensions you need.