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Conversion Hub

png → ico

Convert PNG to ICO Online

Turn a PNG into a proper multi-resolution ICO favicon in one click.

  • No uploads, ever
  • Converts in milliseconds
  • Works offline
  • Batch support

Windows favicons are not a single image — they are a container holding several sizes in one `.ico` file, and the operating system picks whichever fits the context: a 16×16 tab, a 32×32 window, a 48×48 desktop icon at medium zoom, or 256×256 in the large-icon view. This converter packs all of them into a single, standards-compliant ICO file, generated byte by byte in your browser.

100% client-side — your files never leave your device

Conversion runs locally in your browser using Canvas and WebAssembly. There is no upload step, no server processing and no file storage. Disconnect from the internet and this page still works.

Drop your file here, or click to browse

Accepts .png · select many to convert in a batch

Output settings
Icon sizes (3 selected)

Packed into one .ico file. 16, 32 and 48 cover tabs, taskbar and desktop icons.

Background

Step by step

How to convert PNG to ICO online

  1. Add your .png file

    Drag and drop your file into the box above, or click it to browse your device. Add several at once and they convert together as a batch.

  2. Choose your output settings

    Tick the icon sizes you need — 16, 32 and 48 cover browser tabs, the taskbar and desktop icons. They are packed into a single .ico file.

  3. Download the .ico

    Click Download to save the result straight to your device. The whole process took a fraction of a second because nothing was uploaded or downloaded.

Side by side

PNG vs ICO

Here is how the two formats differ. Use it to decide whether converting is worth it, and which one to pick if you have a choice.

Comparison of PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and ICO (Windows Icon Format)
AttributePNG.pngICO.ico
Full namePNG (Portable Network Graphics)ICO (Windows Icon Format)
CompressionLosslessLossless
TransparencyYesYes
Browser supportUniversalUniversal
Typical file size84 KB29 KB
Best forSource artwork for faviconsFavicons and desktop icons

The guide

A practical guide to building multi-size ICO favicons

What "multi-size ICO" actually means

A single-resolution ICO looks blurry at some zoom levels because Windows scales a 16×16 image up to fill a 256-pixel slot. Packing multiple sizes means Windows always has a pixel-perfect match to display and never has to scale anything. That is why every professional favicon is multi-resolution, and it is the difference between a crisp tab and a blurry one. This converter writes the ICONDIR header and ICONDIRENTRY table correctly, so the result opens in every browser and every version of Windows.

Which sizes should I include?

The classic set is 16×16, 32×32 and 48×48, which covers browser tabs, bookmarks, the Windows taskbar and desktop icons at standard DPI. Add 256×256 if you want a sharp look on high-DPI and large-display settings — some modern setups use it as the primary icon. Windows Vista and later support PNG-compressed entries inside an ICO, which this converter uses by default: smaller files, identical appearance, full transparency.

Preparing your source PNG

ICO requires a square image. If your PNG is not square, this converter centre-crops it to a square rather than squashing the proportions — so a wide logo will keep its aspect ratio and lose the edges. If that is not what you want, pad the image to a square with a transparent background in your editor first. Aim for at least 512×512 in the source so the 256-pixel frame is downscaled cleanly.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything about how this converter handles your files, and how to get the best result.

Which sizes should I choose?
The default 16, 32 and 48 covers browser tabs, bookmarks, the taskbar and desktop icons. Add 256 for high-DPI displays and the large-icon view. More sizes means a slightly larger file, but perfect sharpness everywhere.
What happens if my PNG is not square?
It is centre-cropped to a square at the target size, preserving aspect ratio, rather than being stretched. If the crop removes part of your logo, pad the source to a square with a transparent background first.
Will my ICO work in every browser?
Yes. The ICO is written to the original Windows specification, with PNG-compressed entries supported since Windows Vista. All current browsers and Windows versions read it correctly.
Does the ICO keep transparency?
Yes, because the entries are PNG-compressed. Rounded corners and anti-aliased edges stay smooth rather than picking up a white box.