PNG to ICO Converter: Make Favicons and Icons

Use this PNG to ICO converter to turn a logo or graphic into a real icon file. Every ICO from FileKiwi holds six sizes: 16, 32, 48, 64, 128 and 256 pixels. Browsers and Windows pick the size that fits each spot, from a tiny browser tab to a large desktop shortcut.

ICO files are built on the FileKiwi server with ImageMagick. Your PNG is deleted right after the conversion, and there is no signup and no watermark.

How to use PNG to ICO

Upload a square PNG

Pick a PNG, ideally square and at least 256 by 256 pixels, so even the largest icon size stays sharp.

Convert to ICO

FileKiwi creates one ICO file that contains 16, 32, 48, 64, 128 and 256 pixel versions of your image.

Download and use it

Save the .ico file. Rename it favicon.ico for a website, or set it as a custom icon for a Windows folder or shortcut.

Why use FileKiwi for this

Six sizes in one file

Every common icon size is packed inside, so each screen shows a clean version instead of a scaled, fuzzy one.

Ready for websites

Place it in your site root as favicon.ico and browsers, including older ones, find it on their own.

Deleted right away

Icons are built on our server with ImageMagick, and your upload is removed as soon as the file is ready.

No design software

Skip icon editors and plugins. Upload a PNG, download an ICO, and you are done.

What is an ICO file?

ICO is the icon format Windows has used since its early versions. Unlike a PNG, one ICO file can store several images of different sizes. The system chooses the best match for the place where the icon is shown.

That is why one favicon.ico can look crisp in a browser tab at 16 pixels and on a desktop or taskbar at 48 pixels or more. Modern ICO files can also store images with an alpha channel, so icons can have transparent backgrounds.

How to prepare a PNG for PNG to ICO conversion

Make it square. Icons are square, so a wide logo will not fill the space well. Use Crop Image with the 1:1 preset first.
Start big. A source of 256 by 256 pixels or more gives the largest icon enough detail.
Keep it simple. At 16 pixels, thin lines and small text vanish. One letter or a bold symbol reads better than a full logo with a slogan.
Use a transparent background if the icon should blend into light and dark browser themes. For a photo, Remove Background can cut out the subject first.
Check contrast. Pale colors on a white tab are hard to see. A solid shape with strong color stands out.

Adding the favicon to your website

Upload favicon.ico to the root folder of your site, so it is reachable at yourdomain.com/favicon.ico. Most browsers check that address automatically, even without any code.

To be explicit, add this line inside the head of your pages: <link rel='icon' href='/favicon.ico'>. After uploading, clear the browser cache or open a private window, because browsers keep old favicons for a while.

Many sites also add a separate 180 pixel PNG for phone home screens. Keep your original PNG for that and use the ICO for the classic favicon.

PNG to ICO: frequently asked questions

What sizes are inside the ICO file?

Each ICO from FileKiwi contains six square images: 16, 32, 48, 64, 128 and 256 pixels. Browser tabs usually use 16 or 32, while Windows uses the bigger sizes for desktop icons and high resolution screens.

Can I convert PNG to ICO and keep a transparent background?

Yes. The ICO format supports transparency, so a PNG with a clear background can become an icon with a clear background. Check the result on both a light and a dark background to make sure the edges look clean.

Is my image uploaded?

Yes, ICO output is one of the few conversions that run on the FileKiwi server, using ImageMagick. Your file is deleted right after the conversion and is not kept, shared or used for anything else.

Why does my icon look blurry at small sizes?

Detailed logos lose clarity when they shrink to 16 or 32 pixels. Thin strokes and small words disappear first. Try a simplified version of your logo, such as a single letter or bold symbol, then convert again.

How do I use the ICO for a Windows folder or shortcut?

Right click a shortcut, open Properties and choose Change Icon, then browse to your .ico file. For a folder, open Properties, go to Customize and pick Change Icon. The larger sizes inside keep it sharp in big icon views.