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Format comparison

SVG vs PNG

By Updated How we write these

The short answer

SVG is drawn from shapes, so logos and icons stay razor sharp at any size in a tiny file. PNG is a grid of pixels that works for any picture, including photos and screenshots, and opens in every app.

Scalable Vector Graphics

Choose SVG when

  • Logos, icons and simple illustrations on the web
  • The same graphic is shown at many sizes
  • You want to change colors with CSS
More about SVG

Portable Network Graphics

Choose PNG when

  • Photos, screenshots and detailed artwork
  • The app or site doesn’t accept SVG
  • You need an exact fixed-size image
More about PNG

Side by side

SVG and PNG compared
Property SVG PNG
Full name Scalable Vector Graphics Portable Network Graphics
Compression Vector Lossless
Transparency Yes Yes
Animation Yes No
Typical size A simple logo is often only a few KB A 12-megapixel photo is often 12–20 MB; a screenshot is usually 100 KB–1 MB
Support Almost everywhere Opens everywhere
Opens on Browsers and design tools, but not social networks, chat apps, Office or most forms Every browser, phone, computer and image editor
Best for Logos, icons and illustrations that must stay sharp at any size Screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything with text or a transparent background
Introduced 2001 1996

Watch out with SVG

Converting a photograph to SVG does not turn it into vectors. Either the pixels get wrapped inside an SVG, which is bigger and no sharper, or a tracer turns it into flat blobs of color.

Watch out with PNG

Photographs saved as PNG balloon in size. A holiday photo that is 3 MB as JPG can be 15 MB as PNG, because lossless compression can do very little with the fine grain of a real photograph.

Need to switch?

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Questions

Is SVG better than PNG?

SVG is drawn from shapes, so logos and icons stay razor sharp at any size in a tiny file. PNG is a grid of pixels that works for any picture, including photos and screenshots, and opens in every app.

Which is smaller, SVG or PNG?

SVG is usually smaller for the same content. SVG: A simple logo is often only a few KB. PNG: A 12-megapixel photo is often 12–20 MB; a screenshot is usually 100 KB–1 MB.

How do I convert SVG to PNG?

Use the free SVG to PNG converter. It runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.

How do I convert PNG to SVG?

Use the free PNG to SVG converter. It works the same way, entirely on your device.

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