ICO Converter
Upload your ICO file below and choose the output format. The URL updates instantly as you select, and conversion happens right in your browser — your files stay private.
ICO is Microsoft's icon format, used for website favicons and Windows application icons. Unlike most image formats, an ICO file can embed multiple image sizes — 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256 — in a single file. The operating system or browser picks the right size automatically for each context.
The most common use today is converting a PNG logo to ICO for a website favicon. Browsers look for favicon.ico at the domain root. When a user bookmarks your site, saves it to their home screen, or opens it in a tab, the browser uses the favicon to identify your site visually.
Modern browsers also support PNG and SVG favicons via HTML link tags. But ICO remains the safest fallback because all browsers — including very old ones — check for favicon.ico automatically without needing any HTML configuration.
How to Convert ICO Files
- 1Upload your ICO file using the button above or drag it into the box.
- 2Your file loads instantly and shows a preview.
- 3Select the output format from the options shown.
- 4The specific converter opens with your file already loaded.
- 5Click convert, then download the result.
When to Use the ICO Converter
- Creating a favicon.ico from an existing PNG logo for a website
- Converting an ICO file to PNG for editing in Figma, Photoshop, or another design tool
- Preparing Windows desktop application icons from a high-resolution PNG source
- Extracting the PNG from a competitor's favicon for design reference or brand audit
- Creating multi-resolution icon sets for Windows application bundles
Real World Examples
Creating a favicon from a brand logo for a new website
A developer launches a website and needs a favicon. Their designer supplied a 1200x1200 PNG with a transparent background. Converting to ICO produces a 256x256 icon file in under 3 seconds. The browser renders it correctly in tabs, bookmarks, address bars, and history panels. Placing favicon.ico at the domain root means it works in every browser without any HTML configuration.
Extracting a PNG from competitor favicons for a brand audit
A designer conducts a brand audit and downloads 15 competitor favicons to compare visual styles and color usage. All arrive as ICO files. Converting each to PNG makes them viewable in Figma, zoomable without quality loss, and easy to place side-by-side for comparison. The whole batch converts in under a minute.
Preparing icons for a Windows desktop application
A developer builds a Windows desktop app and needs an icon set at 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 pixels. Their designer provides a single 512x512 PNG. Converting to ICO produces a multi-resolution file that Windows uses correctly in the taskbar, title bar, Start menu, and desktop shortcut. The same ICO file covers all required sizes without manual exports.
Benefits of This ICO Converter
- Convert PNG to ICO instantly for website favicons or Windows application icons
- Handles transparent backgrounds correctly — edges stay clean in both light and dark themes
- Convert ICO back to PNG for editing in any design tool
- Multi-size ICO output works in all browsers and Windows contexts without extra configuration
- No software needed — runs in your browser
- Free, no account required
ICO vs Other Formats
| Format | File Size | Transparency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICO | Small (multi-size embedded) | Yes | Website favicons, Windows app icons |
| PNG | Medium | Yes | Source format for editing, PNG favicon for modern browsers |
| SVG | Tiny (vector) | Yes | Modern browser favicons, infinite scale |
| WebP | Smallest raster | Yes | Web images (not for favicons) |
Tips for Best Results
- Start from a PNG of at least 256x256 pixels before converting to ICO. Upscaling a small image produces a blurry icon at larger display sizes.
- For best cross-browser favicon coverage, include both a favicon.ico at the root and a PNG favicon in the HTML head using a link rel='icon' tag with type='image/png'.
- If your favicon looks blurry in browser tabs, the source PNG was too small. Re-export your logo at 256x256 or 512x512 before converting.
- Make sure your source PNG has a transparent background before converting to ICO. A white background behind a logo looks fine on white-background browsers but stands out on dark mode tabs.
- For Apple devices, a separate 180x180 PNG touch icon linked in the HTML head is needed. ICO is not used for Apple home screen icons.
Related Tools
ICO Conversions Available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ICO converter free?
Yes. The tool is completely free to use and doesn't require an account.
Are my files kept private?
Your files are processed locally in your browser and are never sent to our servers. Nothing is stored.
What file size can I upload?
You can upload files up to 50MB. For best performance, files under 10MB process fastest.
Which formats can I convert ICO to?
You can convert ICO to PNG.
What size should I use for a favicon?
The minimum useful size is 16x16 for browser tab display. Most modern browsers use 32x32 for tabs. A 256x256 ICO or PNG covers essentially all cases. For Apple touch icons (home screen icons on iPhone and iPad), 180x180 PNG is the standard and must be specified separately in the HTML head.
Can I use a PNG instead of ICO for a favicon?
Yes. Modern browsers support PNG favicons via a link rel='icon' tag in the HTML head. ICO remains useful because browsers automatically check for favicon.ico at the domain root without any HTML setup. Having both gives the best coverage across all browsers and bookmark managers.
Does the ICO format support transparency?
Yes. ICO files support transparent backgrounds when created from a PNG with alpha transparency. The transparent areas render correctly in browser tabs, on the taskbar, and in Windows Explorer regardless of the background color behind the icon.
Conclusion
PNG to ICO conversion is the quickest way to create a favicon for a new website. Upload your logo PNG, download the ICO file, and place it at your domain root. All processing runs in your browser in seconds with no uploads or account needed.