SVG or PNG: which to export your chart as
The choice is not about quality in the abstract; it is about where the file is going and who touches it next.
SVG stays sharp forever
It is vector, so it renders crisply at any size, prints properly and can be opened and edited in design tools. For decks, reports and anything that might get blown up on a screen, SVG is the default.
PNG is the compatible one
Social platforms, email clients, Notion, Slack and Google Slides all handle PNG identically and SVG inconsistently. When you cannot control the destination, PNG at twice the display size is the safer file.
The font trap in SVG
An SVG references fonts rather than embedding them by default. If the recipient does not have the font, the labels reflow and your careful spacing breaks. Either use a common font or convert text to outlines before sharing widely.
The size trap in PNG
A 4x export of a dense chart can run into megabytes and slow a page down. 2x is almost always enough, including on retina displays.
- Print or projector → SVG.
- Twitter, LinkedIn, email → PNG at 2x.
- Someone else will edit it → SVG.
- Unknown destination → PNG.
If in doubt, export both. They take seconds and it saves the round trip when someone asks for the other one.
Frequently asked
Is SVG better than PNG for charts?
For quality and editability, yes. For guaranteed rendering everywhere, PNG is safer. Most people need both, for different destinations.
What resolution should I export a PNG chart at?
Twice the intended display size. That covers high-density screens without producing files large enough to slow a page down.