Image to ICO Converter

Convert JPG, PNG, or WebP images to .ico format online. Create multi-size favicons (16x16, 32x32, 48x48) in a single file for websites. Free, fast, and 100% private.

An ICO converter transforms PNG or JPEG images into ICO format -- the icon format used for website favicons and Windows application icons. An ICO file can contain multiple image sizes (16×16 to 256×256) in a single file, allowing the operating system to display the appropriate size. This tool generates multi-resolution ICO files using the Canvas API, entirely in your browser.

Create multi-size favicons without uploading your logo

One image → a complete .ico file with 16px, 32px, and 48px sizes. High-quality Lanczos3 resampling, all in your browser.

Multi-size .ico

Sharp scaling

Free unlimited

How to use

1
Upload Image
Upload your logo or image (PNG, JPG, SVG). For the best results, use a square image with a transparent background.
2
Select Sizes
Choose the icon sizes you want to include in the .ico file. We recommend checking 16, 32, and 48 for standard web compatibility.
3
Convert
Click 'Convert to ICO'. The tool will resize your image into multiple versions and package them into a single valid .ico file.
4
Download
Download the generated .ico file and implement it on your site.

Why Use Our Favicon Generator?

All-in-One File

Create a single `.ico` file that packs multiple sizes (16px, 32px, 48px). No need to manage separate files for basic browser compatibility.

Sharp Scaling

We use high-quality resampling algorithms (Lanczos3) so your 16x16 icon looks crisp, not blurry, even when downscaled from a large logo.

100% Private

Process confidential brand assets safely. Your images are converted directly on your device and never sent to our servers.

Instant Results

No upload or download waits — conversion happens instantly in your browser. Download your favicon in seconds.

Understanding the ICO Format

What is an ICO file and why use it?

The ICO format is a special image container used for favicons (the small icon displayed in browser tabs) and Windows application icons. Unlike PNG or JPEG, an ICO file can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths within a single file. This allows the operating system or browser to select the most appropriate size for the display context -- a 16×16 version for the browser tab, a 32×32 version for the desktop shortcut, and a 256×256 version for the file explorer.

For modern websites, the HTML tag can reference either an ICO file or a PNG file. Using a PNG favicon is simpler (single size, 32×32 or 192×192) and is supported by all modern browsers. However, ICO files are still recommended for maximum compatibility -- older browsers (IE, old Safari) only support ICO favicons. ICO files are also required for Windows desktop applications and UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.

The ICO file format has a simple structure: a header specifying the number of images, followed by a directory of image entries (each with size, width, height, color depth, and offset), followed by the actual image data (which can be in BMP or PNG format). Modern ICO files typically use PNG-encoded image data for sizes above 64×64 (better compression) and BMP-encoded data for smaller sizes (better compatibility). Our tool generates ICO files with PNG-encoded images at multiple sizes.

Favicon best practices

Create a favicon that works at all sizes -- from 16×16 (browser tab) to 256×256 (Windows shortcut). Start with a simple, bold design: a single letter, a simple shape, or a simplified version of your logo. Avoid thin lines, small text, and intricate details that will disappear at 16×16. Test your favicon at 16×16 in a browser tab -- if it's not recognizable, simplify the design. Use high contrast colors that stand out against both light and dark browser tab backgrounds.

For comprehensive favicon support, include: an ICO file with 16×16, 32×32, and 48×48 sizes for legacy browsers; a 180×180 PNG for Apple Touch Icon (iOS home screen); a 192×192 and 512×512 PNG for PWA manifest icons; and a 32×32 PNG as the default favicon. Use the HTML link tags: , , and . Our tool generates the ICO file with multiple sizes from a single source image.

How does this compare to other ICO converters?

A side-by-side comparison of popular ICO conversion tools.

Feature	NovaTools	ICOConvert.com	Convertio
Privacy (no upload)	100% browser	Uploads to server	Uploads to server
Multi-resolution ICO	16 to 256		Single size
PNG source support
JPEG source support
No file size limit	(browser memory)		100 MB
Instant processing		Queue	Queue

Server-based ICO converters require uploading your image. Our tool generates multi-resolution ICO files locally using the Canvas API -- your brand assets and icons never leave your device.

FAQ

Why does the download only contain one file?

That is the intended behavior of the ICO format. Think of an `.ico` file like a ZIP file for images — it contains multiple layers. When you select 16px, 32px, and 48px, our tool generates all three images and packs them inside that single `.ico` file. Browsers will automatically pick the correct size to display based on the context (browser tab, bookmark, desktop shortcut, taskbar). This is more efficient than generating separate files for each size and is the standard approach used by professional web developers. The ICO format also supports 256x256 and larger sizes for high-DPI displays, though these are less commonly needed for web favicons.

What input formats do you support?

We support PNG, JPG, JPEG, WebP, and BMP as input formats. For the best quality favicons, we highly recommend using a PNG with a transparent background. PNG supports alpha transparency, which means the non-icon areas of your favicon will be transparent — the browser tab background will show through, creating a clean, professional look. If you use a JPG (which doesn't support transparency), your icon will have a solid square box around it, which looks unprofessional in browser tabs. If you only have a JPG, consider using our Background Remover tool first to make the background transparent, then convert to ICO.

How do I install the favicon?

Installing the favicon on your website is a three-step process. First, rename the downloaded file to `favicon.ico`. Second, upload it to your website's root directory (the same directory as your `index.html` file). Third, add the following HTML to the `<head>` section of your web pages: `<link rel='icon' href='/favicon.ico' sizes='any' />`. The `sizes='any'` attribute tells the browser that the file contains multiple sizes. Most modern browsers will automatically find and display the favicon even without the HTML tag, but adding it ensures consistent behavior across all browsers and devices.

What sizes should I include in my favicon?

For standard web compatibility, we recommend including 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 pixels. The 16x16 size is used for browser tabs on standard-DPI displays. The 32x32 size is used for browser tabs on high-DPI (Retina) displays and for Windows taskbar icons. The 48x48 size is used for desktop shortcuts and Windows Explorer thumbnails. If you need a favicon for older Internet Explorer versions, include 16x16 and 32x32. For maximum compatibility across all platforms (including iOS and Android home screen icons), consider also generating a 180x180 Apple Touch Icon and a 192x192 Android icon using our App Icon Generator tool.

Why does my favicon look blurry?

Blurry favicons are usually caused by one of three issues. First, the source image may be too small — if your source image is only 32x32 pixels, downscaling it to 16x16 will produce acceptable results, but upscaling to 48x48 will look blurry. Always use a source image of at least 256x256 pixels (preferably 512x512 or 1024x1024). Second, the source image may have anti-aliased edges that look fuzzy when downscaled — try using a simpler, cleaner design. Third, the browser may be displaying a cached version of your old favicon — clear your browser cache or use a hard refresh (Ctrl+F5) to see the updated icon. Our tool uses Lanczos3 resampling, which produces the sharpest possible results at small sizes.

Can I create an animated favicon?

The ICO format does not support animation. However, you can create an animated favicon using a GIF file and referencing it with `<link rel='icon' href='favicon.gif' type='image/gif' />`. Note that animated favicons are generally discouraged because they can be distracting to users and may impact browser performance, especially when multiple tabs are open. If you want a dynamic favicon, consider using a static favicon that changes based on page state (e.g., showing a notification badge when there are unread messages) by dynamically updating the `<link>` element with JavaScript.

Is there a file size limit?

There is no artificial file size limit. Since the tool processes your image locally using the HTML5 Canvas API and a client-side ICO encoder, the practical limit depends on your device's available memory. Source images up to 4096x4096 pixels are handled without issues on most modern devices. The output ICO file size depends on the number of sizes you select and the complexity of the image — a typical 3-size favicon (16, 32, 48) from a simple logo is 5-15 KB. Very detailed source images may produce larger ICO files due to PNG compression within the ICO container.

Can I use this tool for Windows application icons?

Yes, but with limitations. Windows application icons (.ico) can contain sizes up to 256x256 with PNG compression for the largest sizes. Our tool supports the standard web favicon sizes (16, 32, 48) and can also generate 64x64 and 256x256 sizes. However, for full Windows application icon support (including multiple color depths and Vista/7/10/11 format specifications), you may need a dedicated icon editor like IcoFX or Axialis IconWorkshop. For web favicons, our tool produces files that are fully compatible with all modern browsers and platforms.

Your Privacy is Our Priority

This tool runs entirely in your browser using the HTML5 Canvas API and a client-side ICO encoder library.

We do not upload, store, or analyze your files.
Everything you process stays on your device.
The tool reads your image from local memory, resizes it using high-quality Lanczos3 resampling, encodes each size as a PNG image, and packs them into a valid ICO file structure — all without any network requests.
There are no server-side logs capturing your image filenames or selected sizes, no analytics tracking your usage patterns, and no persistent storage of any kind.
When you close the browser tab, all image data and generated ICO files are cleared from memory immediately.
This makes the tool safe to use for confidential brand assets, proprietary logos, unreleased product icons, and any scenario where visual data should not be exposed to third-party servers.
The tool also works offline after the initial page load.

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Image to ICO Converter

Create multi-size favicons without uploading your logo

How to use

Upload Image

Select Sizes

Convert

Download