Raster graphics are made of tiny squares of color called pixels. Every photo you take with your phone is a raster image, and most images you see online are raster too. Common raster file types include JPG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.

Vector graphics are built from mathematical paths rather than pixels. A line, a curve, or a shape is generated by formulas, not a grid of tiny squares. File types include SVG, AI, EPS, and PDF (when created in vector format).

For a full breakdown of how raster and vector graphics work, along with practical examples of where each is most effective, take a look at our in-depth blog post.