PNG to ICO Converter
Turn a PNG into a real multi-size .ico file for favicons, Windows shortcuts and app icons, with transparency kept.
- 16–256 px in one file
- Transparency kept
- Light & dark tab preview
- No upload
Preview
Open an image to see every icon size here.
What is a PNG to ICO converter?
ICO is the icon format used by Windows and by the classic favicon.ico file that browsers look for at the root of a website. Unlike a PNG, one ICO file can hold several sizes of the same image, and the system picks the one that fits: 16 px in a browser tab, 32 px on the taskbar, 256 px for large desktop icons. This converter resizes your PNG to each size you choose, keeps its transparency and packs them into a single, standard .ico file. Small sizes are stored as 32-bit bitmaps with an alpha channel for maximum compatibility, and the 256 px image is stored as PNG to keep the file small, just like icons made by Windows itself.
How to convert PNG to ICO
- Choose Open File and pick your PNG (or drag it onto the page or paste it).
- Pick a size preset or tick the exact sizes you need.
- Adjust fit, padding, background and rounded corners while watching the previews.
- Download the .ico file, or a ZIP of PNGs for every size.
ICO sizes and where they are used
| Size | Where it appears |
|---|---|
| 16 × 16 | Browser tabs, bookmarks and the Windows title bar and small icon view |
| 24 × 24 | Windows Explorer details view and some toolbars |
| 32 × 32 | Windows taskbar, desktop at small scale, high-DPI browser tabs |
| 48 × 48 | Windows desktop and Explorer medium icons, Google search results favicon |
| 64 × 64 | High-DPI medium icons |
| 128 × 128 | Large icons on high-DPI screens |
| 256 × 256 | Windows large and extra-large icons, Start menu tiles; the largest size ICO allows |
Windows scales the nearest size when an exact match is missing, so including 16, 24, 32, 48 and 256 px covers most displays.
Tips for a sharp icon
- Start from a square PNG of at least 256 × 256 px; 512 px or larger is better.
- Simplify the design for 16 px: drop thin lines, small text and fine detail.
- Use the padding slider if your logo touches the edges, so it does not look cramped in tabs.
- Check the dark tab preview: a dark logo on a transparent background can vanish in dark mode.
Why use this PNG to ICO converter
- Every size in one filePack 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 128 and 256 px versions into a single .ico, so Windows and browsers always pick a sharp one.
- Sharp small sizesEach size is resampled in stages from the original, which keeps 16 and 32 px icons cleaner than a single resize.
- See it before you downloadPreview every size on a transparent grid and in a light and dark browser tab.
- Private by designYour image is converted on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server, so logos and unreleased artwork stay private.
Common uses
- Website favicon. Create favicon.ico for the site root and older browsers.
- Windows shortcuts. Give a desktop shortcut or folder a custom icon.
- App and installer icons. Make the .ico that Electron, .NET and installer builders ask for.
- Game and mod icons. Package icons for launchers and mods that require ICO.
Need something else? Build an icon from an icon library with the favicon generator, convert SVG to PNG, or resize an image first.
Example: favicon.ico for a website
Open logo.png (512 × 512), keep the Favicon preset (16, 32, 48 px) and download. Rename the file to favicon.ico, put it in the site root and add <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any"> to your page head.
What to expect from the result
ICO images can be at most 256 × 256 px. Very detailed artwork will lose detail at 16 px; design a simplified version if it matters. Animated PNGs use their first frame.
PNG to ICO Converter questions
How do I convert PNG to ICO?
Open your PNG, choose the sizes, then select Download .ico. The previews update instantly while you change sizes, padding or corners.
What sizes should an ICO file contain?
For a favicon, 16, 32 and 48 px is enough. For a Windows app or shortcut icon, Microsoft recommends at least 16, 24, 32, 48 and 256 px. ICO images can be at most 256 × 256 pixels.
Is transparency kept?
Yes. Every size is stored with a full 8-bit alpha channel, plus the 1-bit mask older programs expect, so transparent backgrounds stay transparent.
Can I just rename a PNG to .ico?
Browsers often accept a renamed PNG, but Windows, many apps and installers do not. A real ICO file has an icon directory and can hold several sizes, which is what this tool creates.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser with JavaScript and the canvas API. Your file never leaves your device and works offline once the page has loaded.