How to convert PNG to ICO
- 1. Choose your imageClick Choose PNG files or drop in a PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG. A square image of at least 256 × 256 pixels works best.
- 2. Pick ICO or favicon pack, then ConvertUnder Output, choose ICO file (16–256 px) for a single icon file, or Favicon pack (.zip) for a website. Click Convert to start.
- 3. Download your iconsClick Download next to each result. If you converted several images, Download all (.zip) saves them together.
ICO vs PNG
ICO is the Windows icon format. Unlike a PNG, one .ico file can hold several versions of the same icon at different sizes, from tiny 16 × 16 pixels up to 256 × 256. Windows and browsers pick the size that fits best. Since Windows Vista, the images inside an ICO can be stored as PNG, which keeps large icons small and preserves transparency.
PNG is a single image at a single size. It's great as source artwork, but Windows won't use it as a file or folder icon, and many tools still look for a favicon.ico.
| PNG | ICO | |
|---|---|---|
| Images per file | One | Several sizes in one file |
| Maximum size | Practically unlimited | 256 × 256 pixels |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Used by Windows for icons | No | Yes |
| Used as a website favicon | Yes, in modern browsers | Yes, everywhere, including favicon.ico |
| Best for | Artwork, web images | Favicons, Windows shortcuts and folders |
ICO file or favicon pack?
ICO file (16–256 px) creates one multi-size .ico containing the common icon sizes from 16 up to 256 pixels. Use it for Windows shortcuts, folders and apps, or as a classic favicon.ico.
Favicon pack (.zip) is for websites. It bundles the ICO with PNG icons in sizes used by browsers, phones and home screens, so you can drop the set into your site and reference the files from your page's head.
Making a favicon for your website
- Start from a square logo or symbol. Wide logos with text become unreadable at 16 × 16, so a simple mark or initial works better.
- Use a transparent background if the icon should sit on browser tabs in both light and dark themes.
- An SVG source gives the sharpest result, because it's rendered fresh at each size rather than scaled down from pixels.
- Put favicon.ico in your site's root folder. Browsers look for /favicon.ico automatically, even if your pages don't link to it.
- Browsers cache favicons aggressively. If you replace one and still see the old icon, try a private window or clear the cache.
Changing a folder or shortcut icon on Windows
Convert your image to an ICO file, then right-click a folder and choose Properties → Customize → Change Icon, or right-click a shortcut and choose Properties → Change Icon. Browse to your .ico file and apply it. Keep the .ico somewhere permanent, because Windows reads it from that location.
Tips and limits
- Small source images may look soft at the largest icon sizes. Start from 256 × 256 pixels or bigger if you can.
- A non-square image won't fill a square icon neatly. Crop it to a square first for the cleanest result.
- Need to get a picture back out of an existing icon? Extract every size from an ICO as PNG.
- Only have an SVG and just need a large PNG? Render the SVG at 1× to 8× size.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does the ICO file include?
The ICO contains the common icon sizes from 16 × 16 up to 256 × 256 pixels in one multi-size file, so Windows and browsers can pick the best one.
How do I create a favicon for my website?
Add a square logo, choose Favicon pack (.zip) and click Convert. Unzip the pack, upload the files to your site's root folder, and reference them from your page's head.
Can I make an ICO from a JPG or SVG, not just PNG?
Yes. This tool accepts PNG, JPG, WebP and SVG. Use PNG or SVG if you need a transparent background, since JPG doesn't support transparency.
Does the ICO keep transparency?
Yes. Transparent areas in your PNG, WebP or SVG stay transparent in the icon.
Do I still need a favicon.ico?
Modern browsers can use PNG or SVG favicons, but favicon.ico in the root folder remains the most widely recognized fallback, so it's worth including.
Is my logo uploaded?
No. Your image is turned into icons on your device, inside your browser, and is never uploaded. The page loads its code, ads and cookieless analytics, but not your files. Read how it works.
Why does my icon look blurry at small sizes?
Fine detail and thin text can't survive at 16 × 16 pixels. Use a simpler mark with bold shapes, and start from an image at least 256 × 256 pixels.