How to convert a PNG into an ICO icon
ICO is the Windows icon format and the classic favicon.ico browsers look for at the root of a website. If you have your logo as a PNG, this converter turns it into an .ico file ready to use.
Use it to create your site's favicon, the icon for a Windows shortcut or folder, or for any program that insists on this format.
Step by step
- Prepare a square PNG, ideally 256 × 256 pixels or larger, with a transparent background.
- Click Select file and choose the PNG.
- Check that Convert to shows ICO and click Convert image to ICO.
- Download the .ico and rename it to favicon.ico if it is for your website.
Icon size
The icon is fitted to a maximum of 256 pixels per side, the largest size Windows uses. A bigger PNG is scaled down keeping its proportions; a smaller one is left as it is, not enlarged.
The resulting ICO contains a single image. Windows and browsers rescale it to display it at 16, 32 or 48 pixels.
Start from the largest, sharpest version of your logo you have. Scaling down to 256 pixels gives a clean result, while a small, blurry PNG stays small and blurry, because the converter never enlarges it.
Tips for a good favicon
Use a square image: if the PNG is wide, the icon will keep that rectangular shape. A simple symbol works better than a logo with words, because letters are unreadable at 16 pixels.
The PNG's transparency is kept, so the icon looks right on both light and dark browser tabs. Modern browsers also accept PNG favicons, but favicon.ico is still the most compatible option.
Frequently asked questions
- What size will the ICO be?
- At most 256 pixels per side. Larger images are scaled down; smaller ones are not enlarged.
- Does the ICO contain multiple sizes?
- No, it holds a single image that the system rescales wherever it is shown.
- Is transparency kept?
- Yes, the PNG's transparent background is preserved in the icon.
- How do I add the favicon to my site?
- Upload it as favicon.ico to the root of your domain, or reference it in your page head with a link rel="icon" tag.
