PNG to ICO Converter

Convert PNG images to ICO for free in your browser. ICO is the format Windows uses for application icons and the one browsers expect for a classic favicon.

ICO is a container, not an image format

Unlike PNG or JPG, an ICO file holds *several* images at different resolutions inside a single file. Whatever is displaying it picks the size it needs — 16 pixels for a browser tab, 32 for a taskbar, 256 for a large desktop icon. That is why a proper favicon looks crisp at every size instead of being a blurry downscale.

Preparing the source

• Start square. 256 × 256 or 512 × 512. A non-square source gets distorted or padded.
• Keep it simple. At 16 × 16 you have 256 pixels total. Fine detail, thin lines and small text disappear entirely — design for the smallest size, not the largest.
• Use transparency. A transparent background lets the icon sit correctly on light and dark taskbars and tab strips.
• High contrast. Icons are viewed small and often against unpredictable backgrounds.

Using it as a favicon

Place `favicon.ico` at the root of your site and most browsers will find it without any markup at all. For completeness, modern sites usually also supply an SVG favicon and a couple of PNGs for mobile home-screen icons and web app manifests — the ICO remains the reliable baseline.

How to convert

1. Drag your PNG file into the box above, or click to browse. Multiple files at once is fine.
2. Confirm ICO is selected as the output format.
3. Adjust the quality slider if the format is lossy.
4. Click Convert, then download the ICO files individually or as a single ZIP.

What size should my favicon be?

Start from a square PNG at 256 × 256 or 512 × 512. The converter packages it into a multi-resolution ICO containing the standard sizes.

Does ICO support transparency?

Yes, and you should use it. A transparent background lets the icon look correct against both light and dark interface themes.

Can I convert a JPG to ICO?

You can, but PNG is the better source because JPG cannot carry transparency — your icon would have a solid rectangular background.

Do I still need an ICO favicon in 2026?

It remains the most reliable fallback and costs nothing to include. Most sites ship an ICO alongside an SVG favicon and PNG app icons.