How to convert ICO to PNG
- 1. Add your .ico filesClick Choose ICO files or drop them onto the box. You can add several icons at once.
- 2. Click ConvertThere's nothing to set up: each icon is unpacked into one PNG per size it contains. Conversion begins when you click Convert.
- 3. Save the PNGsEach icon's Download button saves its PNGs (as a .zip if there are several sizes). Download all (.zip) saves every icon's images at once.
What's inside an ICO file
An ICO file isn't a single picture. It's a small container used by Windows, and by websites as favicon.ico, that can hold the same icon at several sizes, typically from 16 × 16 up to 256 × 256 pixels. Each size may even be drawn differently so it stays crisp when small.
Older icons store each image as a bitmap with a separate transparency mask. Icons made since Windows Vista can store images as PNG instead, which is common for the 256 × 256 size. This tool reads both kinds.
| ICO | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| What it holds | Several sizes of one icon | One image at one size |
| Largest size | 256 × 256 pixels | No practical limit |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Opens in image editors | Some | All |
| Accepted on websites and in documents | Rarely, except as a favicon | Almost everywhere |
| Best for | Windows icons, favicon.ico | Editing, reuse, sharing |
Why you get several PNGs from one icon
Grabbing only the first image in the file often gets you the tiny 16 × 16 version. This tool extracts every size stored in the ICO as its own PNG. Pick the largest one for editing or reuse, or keep the small ones if they were hand-tuned for low resolutions.
If an icon contains only one size, you get one PNG.
Getting a high-resolution PNG
The biggest PNG you can get is the biggest image stored in the icon. If the ICO only goes up to 32 × 32 or 48 × 48, that's the limit: enlarging it afterwards will look blurry or blocky, because the detail simply isn't there.
For a large, sharp version of a logo, look for the original artwork (often an SVG or a big PNG) instead. If you have an SVG, you can render it as a PNG at up to 8× size.
Common uses
- Grabbing a site's favicon.ico to use in a bookmark page, slide or document.
- Recovering artwork from an old Windows program's icon so you can redesign it.
- Converting icons for platforms that only accept PNG, such as many app stores, chat apps and design tools.
- Going the other way? Build a multi-size icon or favicon from an image.
Frequently asked questions
Does ICO to PNG keep transparency?
Yes. Transparent areas in the icon stay transparent in every PNG, whether the icon stores its images as bitmaps with a mask or as PNG.
How do I get the highest resolution PNG from an ICO?
Convert the icon and keep the largest PNG from the results. Icons can store sizes up to 256 × 256 pixels; if the file doesn't include a large size, there's no way to recover more detail.
Why did I get a .zip instead of one PNG?
Your ICO contained several sizes, and each one is saved as a separate PNG. The .zip keeps them together; open it to pick the size you need.
Can I extract an icon from an .exe or .dll file?
Not with this tool. It reads .ico files only. Windows programs store their icons inside the program file, which needs a dedicated icon extractor.
Can I convert several ICO files at once?
Yes. Add them all, click Convert, then use Download all (.zip) to save every PNG from every icon.
Are my icons uploaded?
No. The icons are unpacked on your device, in your browser, and never sent to a server. The page itself loads code, ads and cookieless analytics like any website. See how to verify it.
Does the PNG keep any metadata from the icon?
PNG images inside the icon are saved without re-compression. With Metadata set to Remove (the default), any text or EXIF data they carry is dropped; choose Keep to save them exactly as they are in the icon.