---
title: "Logo vs logotype – what's the difference? | Sweet Lava"
description: "Logotype is the name in lettering, the mark is the symbol, and logo covers both. See the Google and Apple examples and why a mark must work at 16 px."
url: https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/logo-vs-logotype/
lang: en
alternate_pl: https://sweetlava.eu/pl/slownik/logo-a-logotyp/
---

Design & branding 

# What is Logo vs logotype?

A logotype is the company name set in distinctive lettering; a brand mark (symbol) is the graphic element; "logo" is the everyday umbrella term for the whole sign – symbol, logotype or their combination.

Designers use these terms precisely: a **logotype** is the typographic form (e.g. the word "Google"), a **brand mark** is the symbol (e.g. the bitten apple), and **logo** serves as the umbrella word.

Why does this matter practically? Because a good mark needs variants: horizontal, vertical, and symbol-only for small uses (favicon, app avatar). When we design a mark, we plan from the start how it behaves at 16 pixels and on a billboard.

**Tip:** if your company's mark doesn't work as a square app icon, it will cause constant problems in digital environments.

## Related services

- [ Brand identity design & design systems → ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/services/branding-design-systems/)

## Related terms

- [Brand book](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/brand-book/)
- [Visual identity](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/visual-identity/)

## A new brand identity ahead, or a clean-up of the current one?

We design marks, brand books and design systems, and deliver the guidelines in a format AI tools understand. Scope and quote within a few days.

[ Get in touch ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/contact/?source=glossary-logo-logotype)