Image Format Comparison

PNG vs SVG for Logos: Which Format Should You Use?

For logos specifically, the answer is clear: use SVG as your primary format wherever it works, and PNG as a fallback. A logo is by definition vector artwork — exporting as SVG preserves mathematical precision. PNG is a raster snapshot of the vector, limited to a fixed resolution.

PNGvsSVG

Quick Verdict

Use PNG when…

Use PNG for logos in documents, presentations, email signatures, and any context where SVG isn't supported. Export at 2x-4x the display size for retina sharpness.

Use SVG when…

Use SVG for logos on websites and web apps. SVG scales to any size with perfect clarity and is typically much smaller than PNG for vector artwork.

PNG vs SVG: Feature Comparison

Feature	PNG	SVG
Scalability	Fixed resolution — blurs when upscaled	Infinite — scales perfectly
File size (simple logo)	10–500 KB	1–20 KB
Browser support	Universal	Universal (IE9+)
Email client support	Universal	Poor — many email clients reject SVG
Word / PowerPoint	Yes	Limited — recent versions only
Editable via CSS/JS	No	Yes
Transparent background	Yes	Yes
Print quality	Depends on DPI	Perfect at any resolution

When PNG wins

✓Scalability: Fixed resolution — blurs when upscaled
✓File size (simple logo): 10–500 KB
✓Browser support: Universal

When SVG wins

✓Scalability: Infinite — scales perfectly
✓File size (simple logo): 1–20 KB
✓Browser support: Universal (IE9+)

Frequently asked questions

What resolution PNG should I use for a logo?

For web on standard displays: 2x your largest intended display size. For retina/HiDPI: 3x or 4x. A logo displayed at 200px wide needs a 600px PNG for retina. For print: 300 DPI at the intended print size. When in doubt: export larger and let software scale down.

Can I use SVG in email?

No — SVG in email is unreliable. Outlook, Apple Mail, and many Gmail views don't render SVG. Always use PNG for email logos. Most email marketing platforms reject SVG images entirely.