SVG vs PNG for Web Graphics: Which Should You Use?
Vector vs Raster
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) uses mathematical descriptions of shapes — lines, curves, colors — that render crisply at any size. PNG is a raster format made of pixels — it has a fixed resolution. Zoom into an SVG and it stays sharp; zoom into a PNG and you see individual pixels.
When to Use SVG
SVG is ideal for logos, icons, illustrations, charts, and any graphic composed of geometric shapes. SVGs are typically tiny (a few KB) and scale perfectly on high-DPI (Retina) displays. They can also be styled and animated with CSS and JavaScript, making them powerful for interactive web content.
When to Use PNG
Use PNG for photographs, screenshots, and complex imagery with many colors and fine details. PNG preserves every pixel and supports transparency, making it essential for photo overlays and UI elements with anti-aliased edges over variable backgrounds.
File Size Considerations
A simple logo as SVG might be 2 KB vs 50 KB as PNG. But a complex illustration with thousands of paths could be 500 KB as SVG vs 100 KB as a well-optimized PNG. The crossover point depends on graphic complexity — simple shapes favor SVG, detailed imagery favors raster formats.
Converting Between Them
CocoConvert handles both directions. Convert SVG to PNG when you need a raster version at a specific resolution (for social media uploads, email signatures, etc.). Convert PNG to SVG when you need scalability — though raster-to-vector conversion produces traced outlines rather than the original vector paths.