PNG to ICO — Generate a Favicon from a PNG Image
Convert any PNG logo or icon into a multi-size favicon.ico file for your website. Generates 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 256×256 sizes in a single .ico file. Free, instant, and browser-based.
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Generates 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 256×256 favicon.ico
Favicon requirements in 2026 — what size and format you actually need
The humble favicon has become more complex over the years. Where early web browsers needed a single 16×16 .ico file, modern browsers, operating systems, and progressive web apps require multiple sizes and formats. Here is what a complete favicon setup looks like in 2026:
- favicon.ico — contains 16×16, 32×32, 48×48 for browsers and Windows file explorer (this tool generates it)
- favicon-32x32.png — modern browsers prefer PNG over ICO for tabs
- apple-touch-icon.png — 180×180 PNG for iOS home screen bookmarks
- android-chrome-192x192.png and 512×512 — required for PWA manifest
- favicon.svg — modern browsers support SVG favicons; they scale perfectly to any size
This tool generates the multi-size favicon.ico. For a complete favicon package including all the PNG sizes and a web manifest, use a full favicon generator alongside this tool.
What PNG makes the best favicon?
Start with a square PNG at 512×512 pixels or larger. The tool will downsample to smaller sizes — starting larger produces sharper results. Avoid small text or fine detail: at 16×16 pixels, logos become abstract. The most successful favicons are simple shapes, initials, or minimal brand marks that remain recognisable when reduced to the size of a grain of rice.
If your logo is not square, add padding to make it square before converting, or use a cropped version designed specifically as an icon. The ICO format is strictly square.
ICO file structure — why you need multiple sizes in one file
An ICO file is a container format that holds several images at different resolutions. When the operating system or browser needs a specific size, it picks the closest match from inside the container. Without multiple sizes, Windows might upscale a 16×16 image to fill a 256×256 space on a high-DPI screen — resulting in a blurry pixelated icon. This tool embeds four standard sizes (16, 32, 48, 256) so every context renders crisply.
If your source PNG is smaller than 256×256, the 256-pixel version inside the ICO will be an upscale — consider using a higher-resolution source for best quality on high-DPI displays.
Have an SVG version of your logo? Use SVG to ICO instead — SVG renders at any size without pixel loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size PNG makes the best favicon?
Use a square PNG at 512×512 pixels. This tool downsamples it to 256×256, 48×48, 32×32, and 16×16. Starting with a high-resolution square gives the sharpest results at every size.
Should I use PNG or ICO for my favicon in 2026?
Use both: place favicon.ico at your site root for broad compatibility (older browsers, bookmarks, Windows taskbar) and add <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/favicon-32x32.png"> for modern browsers. Modern Chrome and Firefox can use either format.
Does the favicon.ico include all four sizes in one file?
Yes. The generated .ico embeds four sizes in a single file: 16×16 (browser tab), 32×32 (taskbar), 48×48 (desktop shortcut), and 256×256 (Windows high-DPI file explorer).
My favicon looks blurry in the browser tab — why?
Browser tabs use 16×16 pixels. Complex logos with fine detail become illegible at that size. Use a simplified version of your logo — a monogram, initial, or simple mark — for the smallest sizes.
Will transparency from the PNG be preserved?
Yes. Each PNG image packed inside the ICO file supports full alpha transparency. If your PNG has a transparent background, the favicon will too.
Is my PNG uploaded to a server?
No. The entire ICO generation — rendering, downsampling, and file encoding — runs in your browser. Your image never leaves your device.