PNG vs SVG: what's the difference?
Short answer: SVG is for shapes (logos, icons, illustrations) and scales to any size; PNG is for pixels (screenshots, photos).
| PNG | SVG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics | Scalable Vector Graphics |
| File extensions | .png | .svg |
| MIME type | image/png | image/svg+xml |
| Introduced | 1996 | 2001 |
| Compression | Lossless | Vector (text based) |
| Transparency | Yes (full alpha) | Yes |
| Animation | APNG only | Yes (CSS/SMIL) |
| Typical file size | Large | Tiny for simple art |
| Best for | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background | logos, icons and illustrations that must stay sharp at any size |
| Compatibility | Universal: every browser, OS and editor | All browsers; not accepted by most social networks, office apps or upload forms |
File size
A simple logo as SVG can be a few KB; a large PNG of the same logo can be hundreds of KB. Complex illustrations can make SVG larger.
Image quality
SVG is perfectly sharp at every size. PNG becomes blurry when enlarged beyond its resolution.
Transparency and animation
PNG: transparency yes (full alpha), animation apng only. SVG: transparency yes, animation yes (css/smil).
Compatibility
PNG: Universal: every browser, OS and editor.
SVG: All browsers; not accepted by most social networks, office apps or upload forms.
When to use PNG
- Screenshots and photos
- Social media, email and documents
- Anywhere SVG isn't accepted
When to use SVG
- Logos and icons on websites
- Illustrations that must scale
- Graphics you'll animate with CSS
Convert between PNG and SVG
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG better than SVG?
SVG is for shapes (logos, icons, illustrations) and scales to any size; PNG is for pixels (screenshots, photos).
Which is smaller, PNG or SVG?
A simple logo as SVG can be a few KB; a large PNG of the same logo can be hundreds of KB. Complex illustrations can make SVG larger.
Which has better quality, PNG or SVG?
SVG is perfectly sharp at every size. PNG becomes blurry when enlarged beyond its resolution.
How do I convert PNG to SVG?
Open the free PNG to SVG converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.