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PNG vs ICO: one image vs a bundle of sizes
An ICO file is a small container that holds several square versions of the same icon. Windows and browsers pick the size that fits the spot where the icon appears.
| Aspect | PNG | ICO |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | One image | Several sizes of one icon |
| Shape | Any | Square, up to 256 × 256 px |
| Transparency | Alpha channel | Alpha channel (PNG-compressed entries) |
| Used for | Everything | favicon.ico, Windows programs and shortcuts |
| Browser favicon | Yes, via a link tag | Yes, also picked up from /favicon.ico |
This tool stores each size as a PNG inside the ICO, a layout supported since Windows Vista and by current browsers. Checked September 2026.
Start from a square PNG
Icons are square. A non-square PNG is centred on a transparent square, so crop your logo to a square first if you want it to fill the icon.
Start big, at least 256 px
Each size is scaled down from your PNG. A 512 × 512 px source gives clean results at every size.
Transparency survives
Rounded or irregular logos keep their transparent corners, so they sit cleanly on light and dark browser tabs.
Which sizes to put in the ICO
The default set of 16, 32, 48 and 256 px covers browser tabs and Windows. Add 64 and 128 if the icon is for a desktop program.
| Size | Where it typically shows |
|---|---|
| 16 × 16 | Browser tabs and bookmarks on standard screens |
| 32 × 32 | Tabs on high-density screens, Windows taskbar |
| 48 × 48 | Windows Explorer and desktop icons |
| 64 × 64 | Desktop icons with display scaling |
| 128 × 128 | Large icon views |
| 256 × 256 | Extra large icons in Windows Explorer |
Where each size is used depends on the system and display scaling. Checked September 2026.
Small sizes need simple art
At 16 px a detailed logo turns to mush. A single letter or symbol reads better than a full wordmark.
More sizes, bigger file
Each size adds its own image. For a website favicon, 16, 32 and 48 px are usually enough.
Check the 16 px preview
Look at the smallest size before downloading. If it is unreadable, simplify the source PNG.
Where favicon.ico is still needed today
Modern sites also declare PNG or SVG icons, but the ICO file has not disappeared.
Browsers still ask for /favicon.ico
Many browsers request /favicon.ico at the site root when no icon is declared. Placing the file there avoids a missing-icon error in your logs.
Windows programs and shortcuts
Executables, installers and desktop shortcuts on Windows use ICO files for their icons.
Not for Apple touch icons
iPhone and iPad home-screen icons use a PNG (apple-touch-icon, usually 180 × 180 px), not an ICO. Keep your PNG for that.
PNG to ICO: questions
How do I convert a PNG to ICO for a website favicon?
Upload a square PNG of at least 256 px, keep sizes 16, 32 and 48, then download favicon.ico and place it at the root of your site.
Does the PNG to ICO converter keep transparency?
Yes. Every size inside the ICO is stored with its alpha channel, so transparent corners stay transparent on any tab colour.
What happens if my PNG is not square?
It is centred on a transparent square canvas at each size. Crop it to a square first if you want the logo to fill the whole icon.
Can one ICO file contain several sizes?
Yes, that is the point of the format. Choose any of 16, 32, 48, 64, 128 and 256 px; the system picks the best one for each place the icon appears.
Do I still need an ICO if I use a PNG favicon?
Not strictly, but a favicon.ico at the site root is a cheap safety net for browsers and tools that request it by default.
Is my logo uploaded when creating the icon?
No. The ICO is assembled in your browser tab and the PNG stays on your device. A free account is needed only to download.
Related conversions
Other format pairs with the same source or target.