PNG to ICO Converter

Convert PNG images to ICO favicon format online for free. No upload required — generates multi-size favicons (16x16, 32x32, 48x48) entirely in your browser.

Processed locally

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How to Use

Create an ICO favicon from your PNG in seconds:

Upload your PNG file — Drag and drop a square PNG image onto the upload area. Recommended: 256x256 or larger.
Click "Convert to ICO" — A multi-size ICO is generated with 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 versions.
Download the ICO — Save the favicon file and add it to your website root.

About This Tool

The ICO (Windows Icon) format is the original standard for website favicons, supported since Internet Explorer 5 (1999). While modern browsers accept PNG favicons via <link rel="icon" type="image/png">, the .ico format remains relevant because it can store multiple sizes in a single file, allowing the browser to select the most appropriate size for each context — tab bar, bookmarks, shortcut icons, and more.

A well-constructed ICO favicon contains three standard sizes: 16x16 pixels (browser tab icon), 32x32 pixels (taskbar and bookmark icon), and 48x48 pixels (Windows desktop shortcut). Some ICO files also include 64x64 and 256x256 entries for high-DPI displays and Windows Explorer thumbnail views. Each size can be individually optimized for its display context — for example, a 16x16 icon might use simplified geometry that isn't needed at 48x48.

This converter takes your PNG image and generates a standards-compliant ICO file containing three embedded PNG images at 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 pixels. Modern ICO files embed PNG data (rather than raw BMP bitmaps) for significantly smaller file sizes — a three-size ICO with PNG payloads is typically 3-8KB, compared to 20-50KB for uncompressed BMP payloads.

For best results, start with a square PNG of at least 256x256 pixels. The converter uses the Canvas API's built-in bicubic interpolation for smooth downscaling. If your source image is not square, it will be stretched to fit — consider cropping your image to a square aspect ratio before converting.

Why Use This Tool

When to generate ICO favicons:

Website favicon creation — Every website needs a favicon.ico. While PNG favicons work in modern browsers, ICO provides the broadest compatibility including legacy browsers and RSS readers.
Multi-size icon packaging — ICO bundles multiple sizes into one file, so browsers and operating systems can pick the best size for each display context automatically.
Windows application icons — If you're distributing a Windows application, .ico is the required format for executable icons, desktop shortcuts, and Start menu entries.
Bookmark and tab icons — A properly sized multi-resolution ICO ensures your site icon looks sharp across different browser UI densities and operating system scaling settings.
Quick prototyping — When launching a new website, quickly generate a favicon from your logo PNG without needing complex build tools or online services that require account creation.

FAQ

What sizes are included in the ICO?

The converter generates a multi-size ICO containing 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 pixel versions. These are the standard sizes used by browsers for favicons and by Windows for taskbar and desktop icons.

Is the conversion done locally?

Yes. Your image never leaves your browser. The PNG is resized using Canvas and packaged into the ICO container format — no data is sent to any server.

What PNG size should I start with?

Use a square PNG of at least 48x48 pixels. For best results, start with 256x256 or 512x512 — the converter will downscale to each required size with smooth anti-aliasing.

How do I use the ICO as a favicon?

Place the .ico file as favicon.ico in your website's root directory. Most browsers will find it automatically. You can also reference it explicitly with: <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">