SVG vs PNG: When to Use Each Format

SVG vs PNG: When to Use Each Format (With Examples) SVG and PNG both support transparency and look sharp on screen, but they solve fundamentally different problems. SVG is a vector format — it describes images as mathematical paths and shapes. PNG is a raster format — it stores images as a fixed grid of colored pixels. Choosing SVG vs PNG correctly means understanding what each format does well, where it falls apart, and which one fits the image you are actually working with. Here is the full breakdown: how the two formats compare, when each one wins, and how they stack up against JPG. SVG vs PNG: Key Differences Feature SVG PNG Type Vector (paths and shapes defined in XML) Raster (pixel grid) Scalability Infinite — no quality loss at any size Fixed resolution — pixelates when upscaled File size Tiny for simple graphics, grows with path complexity Predictable — depends on dimensions and color count Transparency Yes (native) Yes (full alpha channel) Animation Yes (SMIL, CSS transitions,