Why do I need .ico instead of PNG?

Some setups and older browsers specifically expect favicon.ico. The ICO format also bundles multiple sizes in one file for crisp rendering.

Does the PNG need to be square?

A square PNG gives the best result. Non-square images get padded or cropped to fit the icon's square canvas.

Do I get only the .ico, or other files too?

The download is a ZIP that holds favicon.ico plus PNG icons from 16 to 512 pixels. Use the .ico alone if that is all you need; the PNGs cover modern browsers, Apple touch icons and Android.

Can I use the .ico as a Windows shortcut or folder icon?

Windows accepts standard .ico files for shortcuts and folders, and this is a standard .ico. It is generated with browser tabs in mind, so check how it looks at the larger icon views before relying on it.

PNG to ICO Converter

Convert a PNG into a Windows .ico favicon file — free, in your browser.

Drop an image here or click to choose

drop a square logo/image — best results with a 512×512+ image

The .ico file is a leftover from older Windows that the web never shook off. Browsers still request favicon.ico from the root of a site by default, some hosting dashboards and legacy frameworks accept nothing else for the tab icon, and Windows uses the format for shortcut and folder icons. Making one by hand needs a plugin or a desktop utility; here you drop a square PNG and get the .ico back, generated on your device.

What you actually receive is a ZIP containing favicon.ico together with PNG icons at 16, 32, 48, 64, 180, 192 and 512 pixels, the full set a modern site needs for tabs, bookmarks, the iPhone home screen and Android. If you only wanted the .ico, take that file and ignore the rest; if you are setting up a site, the extras save a second trip. After copying them to your server, link them in the page head so every browser finds them.

Design for the smallest size, not the largest. At 16 pixels a wordmark becomes a smudge and thin lines disappear, so a single bold letter or simple shape beats a full logo. Start from a square PNG of at least 512 pixels for clean downsizing; a tiny source yields a blurry icon no converter can fix, and a non-square one will not fit the square canvas.

More sizes & options

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need .ico instead of PNG?: Some setups and older browsers specifically expect favicon.ico. The ICO format also bundles multiple sizes in one file for crisp rendering.
Does the PNG need to be square?: A square PNG gives the best result. Non-square images get padded or cropped to fit the icon's square canvas.
Do I get only the .ico, or other files too?: The download is a ZIP that holds favicon.ico plus PNG icons from 16 to 512 pixels. Use the .ico alone if that is all you need; the PNGs cover modern browsers, Apple touch icons and Android.
Can I use the .ico as a Windows shortcut or folder icon?: Windows accepts standard .ico files for shortcuts and folders, and this is a standard .ico. It is generated with browser tabs in mind, so check how it looks at the larger icon views before relying on it.

Related tools

🔒 Your files are processed on your device. This tool runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded.