SVG stores a picture as instructions for shapes, so it scales to any size without losing sharpness. PNG stores a fixed grid of pixels, so it looks the same everywhere but cannot grow without softening.
Use SVG for logos, icons and simple illustrations that must scale. Use PNG when you need a plain image that works in every app, or when the picture is a screenshot or photo.
On this page
Key takeaways
- SVG is vector: crisp at any size and usually tiny for simple graphics.
- PNG is bitmap: fixed pixels, lossless and understood by practically every program.
- Both can have transparent backgrounds.
- Keep the SVG as the master and export PNGs for places that cannot show SVG.
Steps shown in the video
- Click Choose SVG Files and select your SVG graphics
- Each file is listed with a preview and its size
- Click Convert to turn them into PNG files
- Download your PNGs (several come as one ZIP)
How the two formats work
An SVG file is text. It says things like draw a circle here, fill this path with that color. When you view it, the browser draws the shapes at whatever size is needed, so a logo looks equally sharp on a phone and on a billboard.
A PNG file is a table of colored pixels compressed without loss. It cannot know what the picture contains, only which color each pixel has. Enlarge it and the program has to guess at new pixels, which is what makes enlarged bitmaps look soft.
SVG vs PNG side by side
| SVG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Vector (shapes and paths) | Bitmap (pixels) |
| Scaling | Sharp at any size | Fixed size, softens when enlarged |
| File size | Tiny for simple graphics, large for complex art | Grows with pixel count |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Photos | Not suitable | Works, but files are large |
| Editing | Edit in a text or vector editor | Edit in an image editor |
| Text | Can stay live text or become outlines | Becomes pixels |
| Compatibility | Browsers and design tools; patchy in some apps | Practically everywhere |
When SVG is the better choice
- Logos and icons that appear at many sizes, such as a navigation bar, a favicon source or a print file.
- Simple illustrations and charts made of lines, shapes and flat colors.
- Websites, where a small SVG loads quickly and stays sharp on high-density screens.
- Artwork you may edit later, because shapes and colors can be changed without redrawing.
When PNG is the better choice
- Screenshots, which are pixels from the start.
- Uploads to platforms that reject SVG, which includes many profile, shop and ad forms.
- Email and office documents, where SVG display is inconsistent.
- Images containing photos or soft shading, which a vector cannot describe efficiently.
- Final deliverables that must look identical in every viewer, with text locked into pixels.
A workflow that uses both
- Design and store the logo as SVG.
- Set a generous width and height in the SVG, such as 1024 pixels, for sharp exports.
- Convert it with SVG to PNG whenever a form or app wants a bitmap.
- If the destination needs a different format, SVG to JPG fills the transparent background with white.
And what about JPG?
JPG is the third common choice and is best for photographs. It cannot store transparency. The comparison of SVG vs JPG covers that pairing, and the how-to for SVG to PNG shows the conversion steps.
SVG vs PNG: FAQ
What is the main difference between SVG and PNG?
SVG is a vector format made of shapes that scale without loss. PNG is a bitmap with a fixed number of pixels.
Which is better for logos?
SVG, because it stays sharp at every size. Keep a PNG export for places that cannot use SVG.
Is SVG smaller than PNG?
Usually for simple graphics. For detailed or photographic images an SVG can be larger than a PNG.
Do both support transparency?
Yes.
Can I convert PNG to SVG?
A converter can trace a PNG into shapes, but it cannot recover the original vector. Keep the SVG source.
Why do some sites reject SVG?
SVG can contain scripts and is handled differently across software, so some platforms accept only bitmap formats.
Does converting SVG to PNG lose quality?
The PNG is as sharp as the pixel size you choose, but it cannot be enlarged cleanly later.
Which should I use for a favicon?
Many sites ship an SVG plus PNG fallbacks. Check what your platform supports.
Choose by where the image will live
SVG for anything that must scale or be edited, PNG for places that need a plain picture. Keep the SVG and export the PNG when asked.
