Convert PNG to ICO
Create a multi-size ICO icon from a PNG: a favicon for your website or an icon for a Windows shortcut.
Drop your PNG files here
Or choose them, or paste an image (Ctrl + V or ⌘ + V).
Up to 20 files of 50 MB each (10 files of 30 MB on mobile).
Your browser cannot create ICO files. Try a recent version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari (16.4 or later).
Metadata (GPS location, camera, date) is always removed from the converted file.
100% local processing, nothing is uploaded
How does it work?
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PNG is a lossless format: every pixel is kept exactly. It supports transparency, making it the reference for logos, screenshots, diagrams and images containing text. For photos, however, it produces large files. It can be read everywhere.
ICO (Windows icon)
ICO is the format of Windows icons and of websites’ legacy favicon (favicon.ico). A single file contains several sizes of the same icon (16, 32, 48, 256 pixels…): the system picks the one best suited to the display. Each size can be stored as PNG, with transparency.
PNG or ICO: which format should you choose?
PNG is the ideal starting format: transparent, lossless, and accepted as a favicon by modern browsers through a <link rel="icon"> tag.
ICO is still needed for the favicon.ico file at the root of a website (which some browsers, feed readers and tools request automatically) and for Windows icons (shortcuts, folders, applications). A single file holds every size.
How does the conversion work?
- Drop your PNG files in the area provided, choose them or paste an image: several files at once if you like.
- Adjust the options if needed: they apply to every file in the list, which are converted again automatically.
- Download each ICO file, or all of them at once in a ZIP archive.
The conversion takes place in your browser. For your information:
- The real format of each file is checked from its content, not its extension.
- Each size is computed from the original image. A non-square image is centered on a transparent background.
- The photo’s orientation is applied: the converted image displays the right way up everywhere.
Examples
Creating a website favicon
Your square 512 × 512 px PNG logo is converted to ICO with sizes 16, 32 and 48 px: a file of about 5 KB, to place at the root of the site as favicon.ico.
Customizing a Windows shortcut icon
For a desktop shortcut, keep sizes 16, 32, 48 and 256 px: the icon stays sharp in File Explorer and in large icon view. The file weighs about 40 KB.
Frequently asked questions
Which sizes should a favicon.ico include?
16 × 16 and 32 × 32 pixels are enough for tabs and bookmarks; add 48 × 48 for Windows. Larger sizes are useful for application and shortcut icons.
Does my image need to be square?
It is better. A rectangular image is centered on a transparent background, neither distorted nor cropped: start from a square image to fill the whole icon.
Is transparency kept?
Yes: each size is stored as PNG inside the ICO file, with its transparency. This format is recognized by Windows since Vista and by every browser.
How do I use the file on my website?
Place favicon.ico at the root of the site; you can also declare it in the page with <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any">. Clear the browser cache to see the change.
Are my PNG files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, on your device: your files are never uploaded, stored or viewed by anyone. You can check this in the “Network” tab of your browser’s developer tools: no file appears there. Metadata (GPS location, camera, date) is also removed from the converted file.