Vector vs pixels: what changes when you convert SVG to JPG
An SVG file describes shapes with math: lines, curves and fills. It can be scaled to any size without losing sharpness. A JPG is a fixed grid of pixels.
FileKiwi reads the size written in the SVG (its width and height, or its viewBox) and multiplies it by the scale you choose. The longest side is capped at 4096 pixels. After that, the JPG cannot be enlarged without going soft, so pick the scale with your largest use in mind.
| Scale | A 500 px wide logo becomes | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1x | 500 px | Email signatures, small web images |
| 2x | 1000 px | Slides, documents, phone screens |
| 4x | 2000 px | Print, posters, large banners |
SVG to JPG or SVG to PNG?
Choose JPG when the image will sit on a white page, go into an email, or be uploaded somewhere that only takes JPG. For colorful illustrations with gradients, JPG also gives smaller files.
Choose PNG when you need a transparent background, for example a logo placed on a colored banner or over a video. The SVG to PNG converter handles that. PNG also keeps flat colors and hairline strokes perfectly clean.
If the spot where the image goes has a plain white background, JPG is fine. If it is colored, a photo, or may switch to dark mode, pick PNG.
Tips for a clean result
- Background color: if you want something other than white, add a filled rectangle behind the artwork in your design app before exporting the SVG.
- Linked images: pictures referenced from outside the SVG file may not appear. Embed them in the SVG first.
- Quality: use 90% or more for logos, because hard edges show compression artifacts sooner than photos do.
- File size: if the JPG is too heavy for an upload, run it through Compress JPG rather than dropping to a smaller scale.