PNG vs SVG: Which Format for Logos, Icons, and Graphics?

PNG and SVG are both popular formats for logos and graphics — but they work very differently. Choosing the wrong one results in either a blurry logo or a file that cannot be opened everywhere. Here is how to decide.

PNG vs SVG: The Core Difference

• PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster format — it stores an image as a grid of pixels. A 200×200 PNG has exactly 40,000 pixels. Scale it up and it gets blurry.
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector format — it stores shapes as mathematical instructions. An SVG logo looks perfectly sharp at any size, from a favicon (16×16) to a billboard.

When to Use PNG

• Complex images or photographs: SVG can describe complex shapes but is impractical for photos
• Cross-platform compatibility: PNG opens everywhere — browsers, word processors, email, messaging apps
• When you need a fixed output size: For social media posts, print at a known DPI, or pixel-perfect UI assets
• Screenshots and UI mockups: Raster by nature, PNG is the right format
• When SVG is not available: A high-resolution PNG (2000+ pixels wide) works well for most purposes

When to Use SVG

• Logos and brand marks: SVG logos stay sharp at any size — website header, mobile app icon, printed brochure
• Icons: UI icons in SVG scale perfectly on retina/high-DPI screens
• Illustrations made of shapes: Charts, diagrams, infographics, illustrations
• Animations: SVG supports CSS and JavaScript animations
• Responsive web design: SVG scales automatically with the browser window

PNG vs SVG Comparison

Using Both Together

• Many workflows use both formats:
• Keep the SVG as the master logo file for editing and scaling
• Export PNG versions at specific sizes for social media, presentations, and email
• Use a 2× PNG (e.g., 400×400 for a 200×200 logo) for retina displays
• If you only have a PNG logo, use our Image Resizer to create high-resolution versions and PNG → WebP for web use.