SVG vs PNG Icons: What to Use
A direct decision guide for choosing SVG or PNG icons based on quality, file size, control, and UI use case.
Use this rule first: for UI icons, choose SVG by default. Use PNG only when the asset is truly raster-based.
Quick decision
- Choose SVG for buttons, nav icons, form icons, and dashboards.
- Choose PNG when the icon includes complex photo-like texture or raster effects.
Why SVG wins for icons
- Stays sharp at any size because it is vector-based.1
- Can be styled with CSS for color states and theming.
- Usually smaller for simple UI shapes after optimization.2
- Easier to animate for micro-interactions.
When PNG is better
- Source artwork is raster and cannot be represented cleanly as vectors.
- You need pixel-perfect bitmap effects.
- You are using legacy exported assets and cannot refactor now.
Using PNG for core UI controls creates extra responsive/image-density work that SVG avoids.
Side-by-side
| Criteria | SVG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp on high DPI | Yes | No (needs multiple sizes) |
| CSS color control | Yes | Limited |
| Animation | Easy | Limited |
| Best for photos/textures | No | Yes |
| Typical UI icon fit | Best | Usually not ideal |
Recommended packs to test
Practical policy for teams
- Keep product icons in SVG.
- Define icon tokens:
16,20,24,32. - Use one primary icon family per product surface.
- Optimize all SVGs before shipping.
- Keep PNG for non-vector artwork only.
Migration strategy for legacy PNG-heavy projects
If your UI already uses many PNG icons, migrate gradually:
- Move interactive controls to SVG first.
- Keep static raster artwork where vector conversion is not practical.
- Standardize icon tokens and color behavior once SVG adoption begins.
- Optimize new SVG assets before merge.
This reduces risk while improving long-term maintainability.
Decision checkpoint
If you need theme control, hover states, and crisp multi-size rendering, SVG is usually the right default for UI icons.
Cost and maintenance perspective
Beyond quality, SVG usually wins on maintenance. One vector source can serve many size contexts with fewer asset variants. PNG-heavy systems often accumulate duplicated files, naming drift, and inconsistent exports.
If your product has frequent UI iteration, SVG is typically less operationally expensive over time.
Final note
For modern interface icons, SVG should be your default. Keep PNG for true raster scenarios and legacy constraints only.
When in doubt for UI controls, pick SVG and optimize early.
Use PNG intentionally, not by default.
Additional source references: 3 4.