PNG vs SVG: Which QR Format Should You Download?
Published: 2026-08-31 · Updated: 2026-08-31
The generator offers two download formats. Both contain exactly the same QR code; they differ in how the image is described, and that decides where each one works best.
PNG: a grid of pixels
A PNG is a raster image — a fixed grid of pixels. You choose the resolution when downloading (256 to 2048 px). It is universally supported: paste it into a document, upload it to a website, send it in a chat, drop it into a slide. The limitation is scaling: enlarge a PNG beyond its pixel size and the edges blur, which can hurt scanning.
SVG: shapes described in text
An SVG is a vector image — a list of rectangles, not pixels. It can be scaled to a business card or a billboard with perfectly sharp edges, and the file is tiny. Design tools (Illustrator, Figma, Inkscape, Affinity) and modern browsers open it natively. Some office and chat apps do not.
Which to choose
| Use | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Website, email, chat, slides | PNG 512–1024 px | Works everywhere; sharp enough for screens |
| Business cards, flyers, packaging | SVG | Scales to any print size without blur |
| Posters, signage | SVG (or PNG 2048 px if SVG is not accepted) | Large sizes need vector or very high resolution |
| Quick home printing | PNG 1024 px | Prints crisply up to about 8 cm |
Transparent background
Both formats support a transparent background. Use it only when the code will sit on a light, plain area — the contrast warning in the generator assumes white behind a transparent code.
Bottom line
If in doubt, download both: PNG for everyday use and SVG for the printer.