SVG and PNG both are a type of image format to store images.

SVG is an image file format created specifically for designing two-dimensional vector and vector-raster graphics for websites. SVG supports animation, transparency, gradients, and is easily scalable without losing quality.

PNG is a raster image format used for full-color images (mostly photos) in good quality. It has a rather high compression ratio and supports transparency. Though created to replace GIF, it doesn’t support animation and is only 5-20% more compressible compared to the primer.

Here are the important differences between SVG and PNG :

Key	SVG	PNG
Stands for	SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics.	PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics.
Image type	SVG image is vector based.	PNG image is pixel based.
On Zoom	SVG image quality remains same while zooming.	PNG image quality degrades while zooming.
Basis	SVG images is made up of paths and shapes.	PNG images is made up of pixels.
Editable	SVG images have layers and are editable. It can be animated.	PNG images have no layers and are not editable.
Extensions	SVG images use .svg extension.	PNG images use .png extension.
Size	small file size	large file size
Usage	SVG images are used in devices using high resolution images and can be animated and styled with CSS.	PNG images are generally used in image creation. It supports transparent backgrounds. It works for adding cut out logos to any type of design; print, digital, and web. Better quality than JPEG for digital.
Cons	It’s not the right format for photographs. Older browsers and email applications sometimes can’t read SVG. Not suitable for print.	Not the right file type for images used in print design.

When to use SVG?

SVG works best for designing icons for websites with responsive design and objects that should be displayed perfectly on Retina screens. Use SVG when you want to get transparent images that can be easily zoomed or compressed, need lightweight animations, or plan to modify an image soon or frequently.

When to use PNG?

If you're going to be using high quality images, detailed icons or need to preserve transparency, PNG is the best choice. Use it for small static images, logos, navigation elements, prints, and other images with transparent background and robust edges.

Bottom Line

For photos, then PNG is the only suitable format.
Logos in headers can be PNG or SVG, depending on how the header is set up.
Animated illustrations should be SVG if you need them to be scalable. GIF if you want them to stay the same size.
Icons should be SVG if you want them to scale with the screen sizes and PNG if they will stay the same size.

Here are the important differences between SVG and PNG :

Bottom Line

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