What is an ICO File?
ICO is Microsoft's icon file format used for application icons and favicons. Unlike PNG files, ICO files can contain multiple images of different sizes and color depths within a single file.
ICO files were initially developed by Microsoft for icons in Windows operating systems, but they're now commonly used as website favicons too. Learn more in our complete ICO file guide.
Converting PNG to ICO
- Head to ConvertICO.com homepage.
- Drag and drop your PNG file onto the upload area, or click to select a file.
- Select the icon sizes you want to include (16×16, 32×32, 48×48, or 256×256).
- Click the "Convert" button to process your image.
- Download your new ICO file when the conversion is complete.
Recommended Icon Sizes for Windows
For favicons, 16×16 and 32×32 are typically sufficient. Use our Favicon Generator for optimized favicon packages.
Best Practices for Icon Design
- Maintain clarity at small sizes: Ensure your icon is recognizable even at 16×16 pixels.
- Use appropriate color depth: 32-bit (24-bit color + 8-bit alpha) is recommended for modern icons.
- Consider transparency: ICO files support transparency, which helps icons blend well with different backgrounds.
- Design for scaling: Your icon should look good at all sizes, not just the largest dimension.
Final Tips
- Start with a high-resolution PNG (at least 256×256 pixels) for best results. If your source image needs resizing, use the Image Resizer to adjust your image dimensions before converting.
- For website favicons, including 16×16 and 32×32 sizes is usually sufficient.
- If you need your icon to display well on high-DPI displays, include 48×48 and larger sizes.
Ready to Convert Your PNG to ICO?
Try free PNG to ICO converter now - no signup or installation required!
Convert PNG to ICO