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  1. Home
  2. ›Tools
  3. ›Convert Image to ICO Online Free

Convert Image to ICO Online Free

Convert images to .ico format for Windows apps, desktop icons, and favicons. Free online tool — no signup.

Drop your images here

Supports HEIC, JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, TIFF, GIF · 50MB max

Settings

Select which sizes to embed in the .ico file.

Files

Input (0)0.0 KB

What This Tool Does

Build proper multi-resolution Windows ICO files entirely in your browser. The encoder packs 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 64×64, 128×128, and 256×256 PNG sub-images into a single .ico container, exactly the format Windows Explorer, taskbar shortcuts, system-tray icons, and most desktop applications expect. Source can be a JPG, PNG, WebP, or SVG; if it isn't already square, the encoder pads transparently rather than stretching. Useful for finishing app shortcuts, building icons for legacy Windows apps, generating favicons that include the high-DPI sizes Internet Explorer and Edge legacy still request, and replacing folder icons.

When to Use This Tool

Use ICO when the destination explicitly asks for it — Windows .lnk shortcut icons, desktop application bundle icons, certain CMS favicon fields. For modern websites, the dedicated Favicon tool produces the full PNG + ICO + Apple Touch Icon set in one step and is usually the better choice. Don't use ICO outside the Windows or favicon ecosystems; macOS uses .icns, Linux uses PNG, and modern web browsers prefer PNG or SVG favicons.

How to Use

  1. 1

    Upload your source image

    Drop a single image. Square sources work best; rectangular images are padded to a square canvas with transparent borders.

  2. 2

    Choose the sizes to include

    16, 32, 48, 64, 128, and 256 are the standard Windows sizes. Including all of them produces a slightly larger but more compatible .ico.

  3. 3

    Pick background handling

    Keep transparency (recommended for modern Windows) or fill with a solid color (for legacy Windows XP and earlier where alpha was inconsistent).

  4. 4

    Download the .ico file

    Save the multi-resolution .ico. Rename to favicon.ico and drop into your site root, or assign as a shortcut icon in Windows Explorer.

Privacy First — No Uploads

Your images are processed entirely in your browser. They are never uploaded to any server. Once you close the tab, all data is gone. No tracking, no storage, no cookies for your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes are included in the ICO?

By default the file contains 16, 32, 48, 64, 128, and 256 pixel sub-images, which covers every modern Windows display target. You can deselect specific sizes if you need a smaller file.

Is ICO the same as PNG?

No. ICO is a container format that holds multiple raster images at different sizes. The format itself is Windows-specific, though most browsers also recognize it for favicons.

Can I use ICO as a favicon?

Yes. Saving the file as favicon.ico in your website root is the traditional way browsers find a favicon. For best modern results, also reference a PNG via <link rel="icon">.

Does the tool support transparency?

Yes. PNG alpha is preserved through to the ICO output. Avoid the solid-background option unless you specifically need it for very old Windows compatibility.

What if my source image is not square?

The encoder transparently pads to a square canvas rather than stretching. To control padding, crop to a square first using the Crop or Aspect Ratio Crop tool.

Pro Tips

  • For favicons, generate the largest size (512×512 or 1024×1024) of your logo first, then build the ICO from that single high-resolution source. The encoder downscales correctly using the right resampler.
  • Avoid embedding 16×16 versions of complex logos. At that size, simplify the design to a recognizable silhouette — automated downscaling of intricate logos produces a muddy result.
  • Modern browsers prefer PNG or SVG favicons over ICO. Include both: a PNG for modern browsers via the rel="icon" link, and ICO at the site root as a fallback.
  • If your design has fine detail or thin lines, render the smaller sizes (16, 32, 48) from a separately-simplified design. The dedicated Favicon tool supports this workflow.

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