SVG vs PNG for Web Graphics
Compare SVG vector graphics and PNG raster images for web use. Understand when infinite scalability matters, when PNG is more practical, and how to choose between them for logos, icons, and illustrations.
Key Takeaways
- SVG is ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, charts, and any graphic that needs to look sharp at every screen size.
- PNG is the right choice for complex raster images, screenshots, photographs with transparency, and any image that cannot be represented as vector paths.
- A simple logo might be 2KB as SVG but 15KB as PNG@2x.
- SVG** for logos, icons, and simple illustrations
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SVG vs PNG Overview
| Feature | SVG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Vector | Raster |
| Scaling | Infinite | Pixel-limited |
| File size | Tiny (simple) | Fixed per resolution |
| CSS styling | Yes | No |
| Animations | Yes (CSS/JS) | No (use APNG) |
| Photographs | No | Yes |
When to Use SVG
SVG is ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, charts, and any graphic that needs to look sharp at every screen size. SVG files are often smaller than PNG for simple graphics and can be styled with CSS and animated with JavaScript.
When to Use PNG
PNG is the right choice for complex raster images, screenshots, photographs with transparency, and any image that cannot be represented as vector paths. PNG is also simpler to generate programmatically.
File Size Comparison
A simple logo might be 2KB as SVG but 15KB as PNG@2x. However, a complex illustration could be 200KB as SVG but only 50KB as an optimized PNG. Complexity determines which format wins on size.
Best Practice: Use Both
- SVG for logos, icons, and simple illustrations
- PNG fallback for browsers or contexts that need raster
- Inline SVG for icons that need CSS theming (dark mode)