PNG to SVG Converter

Encoding: the PNG uses lossless DEFLATE with a prediction filter chosen per row; SVG uses XML text describing paths, shapes and text, sometimes gzipped as .svgz, and the download is an SVG traced into vector paths (or, if you prefer, the pixels embedded in an SVG wrapper).

Bit depth: 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel in the PNG; SVG allows not fixed: coordinates and colours are continuous values, and the SVG written here has vector paths with flat colours. 16-bit PNGs from photo and scientific software are reduced to 8 bits per channel.

Colour: RGB, greyscale, or an indexed palette of up to 256 colours in the PNG; SVG supports sRGB by default, other spaces through CSS colour functions, written here as flat colour regions.

Transparency: the PNG stores it as a full alpha channel, so edges and shadows can fade smoothly; the SVG keeps it as opacity on any element, with anti-aliased edges.

Metadata: the PNG can carry text chunks, an ICC profile, physical resolution and EXIF in an eXIf chunk; SVG can carry title, description and RDF metadata elements, but nothing is copied across.

PNG stores pixels losslessly with full alpha transparency. It is ideal for screenshots, logos, UI and anything with sharp edges, but photos saved as PNG are several times larger than JPEG.

A PNG opens with an 8-byte signature and is a chain of chunks, each with its own CRC: IHDR (size, depth, colour type), optional PLTE and tRNS for palettes, one or more IDAT chunks with the compressed rows, and IEND.

PNG files usually come from screenshots, design exports, logos and web graphics.

SVG describes shapes, paths and text as XML instead of pixels, so it stays crisp at any size. It is the standard for logos, icons and illustrations on the web.

An SVG is an XML document: a root <svg> element with a viewBox, then paths, shapes, text, gradients and filters. It can also embed raster images and, dangerously, scripts, which is why untrusted SVG is sanitized before rendering here.

SVG is the better choice for logos, icons and illustrations, while PNG suits screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency.

SVG strengths: Infinitely scalable and sharp; Tiny files for logos and icons; Editable as text and styleable with CSS. Drawbacks to weigh: Not suitable for photographs; Can contain scripts, so untrusted SVG must be sanitized; Many apps and social sites will not accept it.