Raster vs. Vector: Which Logo File Format Should You Use?
Which file extensions hold a vector logo, how they differ from raster formats like PNG and JPG, and which logo file to use for print, web and everyday work.
Contents
The short answer
A logo should have a vector master file, usually saved as SVG, EPS, AI or PDF. From that master you export raster files, such as PNG or JPG, for specific screen and document uses. Vector is the source of truth because it can be resized without losing quality. Raster versions are fixed-size copies made for a particular job.
This guide covers file formats in general, not any one brand's logo package. No brand-specific files, specifications or guidelines were reviewed. Always follow the requirements in a brand's own style guide or a vendor's file spec when you have one.
What raster and vector actually mean
A raster image is a grid of colored pixels. It has a fixed resolution. If you enlarge it past that resolution, edges turn soft, blocky or jagged, because the software has to invent pixels that were never there.
A vector image is a set of mathematical instructions: points, lines, curves and fills, often called paths. The software redraws those shapes at whatever size you need, so the outline stays crisp. That is why the same vector file can be used for a favicon or a billboard.
Logos are usually flat shapes, letterforms and solid colors, so they suit vector construction well. A logo built from photographic texture or complex painted gradients may be partly raster even inside a vector-capable file.
Common logo file extensions at a glance
| Extension | Type | Typical logo use | Transparency |
| .svg | Vector | Websites, apps, UI, scalable on-screen graphics | Yes |
| .eps | Vector (can also contain raster) | Legacy print workflows, sign makers, promotional products | Depends on how it was saved |
| .ai | Vector (native Adobe Illustrator) | Editable master artwork for designers | Yes |
| .pdf | Vector or raster, depending on content | Print shops, sharing artwork that opens on most systems | Yes, when saved that way |
| .cdr | Vector (native CorelDRAW) | Editable master for CorelDRAW users | Yes |
| .png | Raster | Web, slides, documents, social profiles | Yes |
| .jpg / .jpeg | Raster | Photos and placements on solid backgrounds | No |
| .gif | Raster | Simple web graphics, basic animation | Limited (on or off, no soft edges) |
| .webp | Raster (lossy or lossless) | Web images where the platform supports it | Yes |
| .tif / .tiff | Raster | Some print and archival workflows | Yes, when saved that way |
Why the extension alone doesn't prove a file is vector
Formats like SVG, EPS, AI and PDF can hold vector paths, but they can also hold an embedded pixel image. A PNG placed inside an SVG or PDF and saved still has the vector extension, yet it will blur when enlarged like any other raster file. Do not assume a logo is true vector artwork based on its filename.
Ways to check a file:
- Zoom in far. Vector edges stay sharp at any zoom level, while raster edges break into pixels or soften.
- Open it in a vector editor and switch to outline or wireframe view. True vector artwork shows path outlines. An embedded image shows as a rectangle or box.
- Select the shapes. Vector artwork reveals anchor points and editable curves. A raster image selects as a single object.
- For SVG, open it in a text editor. Path data appears as shape and path elements, while an embedded bitmap typically appears as an image element with a long block of encoded data.
Which format to use, by situation
- Professional printing, signage, vehicle graphics, embroidery or engraving: send vector (often EPS, PDF or AI). Ask the vendor which format they prefer.
- Websites and apps: use SVG for sharp scaling on every screen density. Use PNG as a fallback where SVG isn't supported.
- Slides, word-processing documents and email signatures: PNG with a transparent background is the safest general choice.
- Social media profile and cover images: PNG, sized to the platform's current requirements.
- Placement on a solid, known background where transparency isn't needed: JPG works, but PNG usually keeps flat colors and sharp edges cleaner.
- Handing a logo to a designer for edits or a redesign: provide the native editable file (AI or CDR) or a clean vector SVG, EPS or PDF.
What a complete logo file package usually includes
A typical professional delivery pairs a vector master with ready-to-use raster exports. It often covers several layout variations (for example, horizontal, stacked and icon-only) and color versions (full color, single color, black and white or reversed). In vector deliverables, text is commonly converted to outlines so the logo displays correctly on computers that don't have the original font installed. Exact contents vary by designer and agreement, so confirm what is included before a project closes.
A note on permission
Being able to download or open a logo file doesn't mean you are allowed to use it. Logos are typically protected brand assets. Use another organization's logo only within the terms of its brand guidelines, a license or written permission.
Bottom line
If you are asking which extension a vector logo has, look for SVG, EPS, AI, PDF or CDR, then confirm the artwork is actually built from paths. Keep that vector file as the master. Export PNG or JPG only when a specific screen or document use calls for a fixed-size image.