How to convert PNG to SVG
- 1
Understand when conversion works well
SVG conversion works best for: flat colour logos, simple icons, clip art, and illustrations with clear outlines. It works poorly for: photographs, images with many colours and gradients. If your PNG is a photo, keep it as PNG.
- 2
Trace with Inkscape (free)
Open Inkscape → File → Import → select PNG. Then Path → Trace Bitmap. Choose Single scan → Brightness cutoff (for one-colour logos) or Multiple scans → Colors (for multi-colour). Adjust the threshold → click Apply → save as SVG.
- 3
Use an automatic online tracer such as Vector Magic
Vector Magic (vectormagic.com) is an automatic online tracer: it finds the colour regions in your image and draws vector paths around them. Your file is uploaded to its servers. Zoom in on the result and check the edges before you use it.
- 4
Manual redrawing (best for complex logos)
For professional logos, the best 'conversion' is manual redrawing in Inkscape, Illustrator, or Figma using Bezier tools. Trace over the PNG as a guide, then delete it. Produces clean, optimised paths that automatic tracing can't match.
Why convert PNG to SVG?
SVG scales infinitely without pixelation — perfect for logos on websites, print materials, and responsive interfaces. PNG is fixed-resolution and blurs when scaled up.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my SVG look blocky after conversion?
Can I convert a PNG photo to SVG?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.