What’s better for an icon SVG, PNG or JPG?

Divyojyoti Ghosh
2 min readApr 19, 2023

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The above image is created by Divyojyoti Ghosh(me) on www.canva.com using different elements available for making designs

The choice between SVG, PNG, or JPG for website icons largely depends on the specific requirements of your website.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector-based image format that allows for crisp, high-quality icons at any size. SVG icons can be scaled without losing quality, making them a great option for responsive designs where icons need to be displayed at different sizes on different devices. SVG icons are also lightweight, making them a good choice for websites that prioritize fast loading times.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster-based image format that supports transparency, making it ideal for icons that have irregular shapes or need to be displayed on different backgrounds. PNGs are also widely supported and can be optimized to reduce file size without losing quality. However, they are not ideal for scaling and can become pixelated if enlarged.

JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a lossy compression format that is best suited for photographic images rather than icons. JPGs can be compressed to reduce file size, but this compression can result in a loss of image quality. JPGs are not suitable for icons that require transparency or need to be displayed at different sizes.

In summary, SVG is the best choice for icons that require scalability, while PNG is a good option for icons that require transparency. JPGs are generally not recommended for icons. Ultimately, it’s best to consider the specific requirements of your website and choose the format that best meets those needs.

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