PNG to SVG Converter

About PNG to SVG Conversion

PNG and JPG are pixel grids — zoom in past 100% and you get blur. SVG is math — paths, curves, and fills that re-render crisp at any size, which is why logos for websites, app icons, t-shirt cutting machines, vinyl plotters, and CNC routers all need vector files. The catch: real vectorization is hard. Adobe's auto-trace charges $20+/month, and most 'free' online converters just embed the raster bitmap inside an SVG wrapper (cheating — file looks identical and still pixelates). This tool runs Peter Selinger's open-source potrace algorithm entirely in your browser, producing genuine SVG path data with tunable threshold (0-255) and noise filtering. Black & white mode gives true vectors; color mode preserves photo colors. No upload, no signup, no watermark. See also our SVG to PNG and AVIF to PNG/JPG.

What is bitmap to vector conversion?

Bitmap to vector conversion (also called image tracing or vectorization) converts pixel-based images into mathematical paths and shapes. The result is a scalable vector graphic that maintains quality at any size.

What image formats are supported?

This tool supports PNG, JPG, JPEG, and BMP image formats as input. The output is always SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format, which can be opened in any vector graphics editor or web browser.

What is the threshold setting?

Threshold determines the brightness level at which pixels are considered black or white. Values range from 0-255. Lower values make more pixels black, higher values make more white. Adjust this to get the best tracing results.

What does noise suppression do?

Noise suppression (turd size) removes small isolated pixel groups that are likely noise or artifacts. Higher values remove more small details, resulting in a cleaner but potentially less detailed SVG.

Should I use color or black & white mode?

Color mode preserves the original image colors by embedding it in the SVG, best for photos. Black & white mode traces paths for a true vector result, ideal for logos, icons, and line art.

What are the size limits?

Maximum input file size is 10MB. Very large or complex images may take longer to process. For best results, use images with clear edges and high contrast.

Which images work best for clean vectorization?

High-contrast graphics with sharp edges: logos, monochrome icons, simple line drawings, typography, silhouettes. Sketches with crisp ink work fine; pencil drawings struggle because of gradient strokes. Photos rarely tracee cleanly in B&W mode — too many tonal transitions. Rule of thumb: if you can clearly outline shapes by hand, the algorithm can too. Source resolution matters: 1000+ pixels on the long edge gives potrace enough detail to find smooth curves instead of jagged edges.

How do I get the cleanest result for a logo?

Start with the highest-resolution source you have (ideally the original, even if it's PNG). Set threshold around 128 and adjust by 10-20 in either direction while watching the preview. Higher noise suppression (5-15) removes JPEG artifacts and antialiasing fringe; lower (1-3) preserves intricate details like serifs on letterforms. If the logo has white parts that should remain white, use B&W mode — color mode will fill those areas. Final test: open the SVG in a browser and zoom to 400%; if curves stay smooth, you're done.

Why does my converted SVG look identical to my PNG when I zoom in?

That happens with color mode for photos — the tool embeds your original raster pixels inside the SVG <image> tag for color fidelity. It's a valid SVG, but it won't scale infinitely (pixels are pixels). For true vector scaling you need B&W mode, which traces actual paths. The trade-off: B&W gives infinite scaling but loses original colors; color gives accurate colors but loses scalability. There's no algorithm that magically does both for arbitrary photos.

Can I edit the result in Illustrator or Inkscape?

Yes — the SVG is a standard W3C document with path elements you can select, recolor, simplify, or break apart in any vector editor. Inkscape (free) is perfect for cleanup; Illustrator and Affinity Designer handle it natively. For Cricut/Silhouette cutting machines, import the SVG directly. Tip: after tracing in B&W mode, open in Inkscape and use Path → Simplify (Ctrl+L) to reduce node count by 30-50%, making the file smaller and easier to edit without visible quality loss.

What about transparency in the output?

In B&W mode, white pixels become transparent by default — the traced shape sits on a transparent background, perfect for layering on any color. In color mode, the original alpha channel is preserved if you upload a PNG with transparency. JPGs have no alpha, so areas that look 'white' in the original stay solid white in the SVG. If you need a logo with transparent background, always start with PNG (not JPG) and use B&W mode.