Use SVG when you need to resize a logo or edit parts of a drawing. Keep PNG if it already looks sharp at the size you need. Both formats can have transparent backgrounds.
Choose for your task
| You need to… | Use | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Use a logo at many sizes | The original SVG, if you have it | Can you still read it at the smallest size? |
| Show a logo in one 200 px-wide space | A clear PNG may be enough | Does it look sharp on your phone as well as your computer? |
| Show a photo | An image format such as PNG, JPEG or WebP | Does the app or website accept it? |
| Change individual colors or curves | SVG | Can you select those parts in your drawing app? |
| Use an app that does not accept SVG | PNG at the required dimensions | Does it look right against the final background? |
How large should the PNG be?
For a logo displayed 200 pixels wide, a 400-pixel-wide PNG can supply the extra pixels used by a 2× screen. Start from a larger original, though: stretching a 100-pixel image to 400 pixels does not recover the missing detail.
Will SVG make the file smaller?
Sometimes. A simple logo may need only a few shapes. A detailed picture may turn into thousands of them and produce a larger file than the PNG. Compare the file sizes and the way they look before replacing an image on your website.
What if I just want no background?
You do not need SVG for that. A PNG can already have a transparent background. Place it over something dark to check. If a white box or gray checkerboard remains visible, it is part of the picture and needs to be removed first.
If your PNG looks good, fits the required size and works in the app you use, you can keep it.
The same drawing in PNG and SVG
For a small website illustration, this courier dog PNG may be all you need. If you need to change the red envelope, open the converted SVG in a drawing app and select its shapes. The pale blue background belongs to this image and remains in the conversion. Choosing SVG does not automatically make a background transparent.
