PNG vs SVG: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Every day designers and developers face the same question: should I export this as a PNG or an SVG? The answer depends on what the image contains. This guide will give you a clear framework to decide every time.

What is PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster format. It stores images as a rectangular grid of pixels, each with a precise color value. PNG supports transparency (unlike JPG) and uses lossless compression, meaning no quality is lost during saving.

• Lossless: every pixel is stored exactly as it was saved
• Supports transparency (alpha channel)
• Fixed resolution, quality degrades when enlarged
• Best for: photographs, screenshots, complex textures

What is SVG?

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) stores images as mathematical descriptions of shapes and curves, not pixels. The file describes what to draw, and the browser calculates the pixels at render time, at whatever size is needed.

• Resolution-independent: sharp at any size
• Editable with code or design tools
• Small file size for simple graphics
• Best for: logos, icons, illustrations, charts

File size comparison

For a simple logo with a few flat colors, SVG typically produces a 2–5 KB file. The same logo exported as a retina-ready PNG (@2x) might be 80–200 KB. For complex photographs the situation reverses: a compressed JPG at 100 KB contains far more visual detail than an SVG could reasonably represent.

Performance on the web

SVGs load faster for icons and logos because of their smaller file size and because they can be inlined directly in HTML (no extra HTTP request). They are also cached aggressively by browsers. PNG files require a separate request per image and can be large when used at high resolutions.

The verdict: a quick decision table

• Logo or brand mark → SVG
• UI icon → SVG
• Illustration with flat colors → SVG
• Product photograph → JPG or WebP
• Screenshot with fine detail → PNG
• Photograph with transparency → PNG or WebP