PNG and SVG explained
PNG is a lossless raster format built to replace GIF. It stores every pixel exactly as given and supports a full 8-bit alpha channel, which means genuine partial transparency rather than the single transparent colour GIF offers.
SVG is not a picture of an image — it is XML describing shapes, paths and text. Because it stores instructions rather than pixels, it renders perfectly at any size, from a favicon to a billboard.
- Where PNG files come from
- Screenshots, exported logos and UI assets, and anything designed rather than photographed.
- Where SVG is used
- Design tools like Figma and Illustrator, and icon libraries.