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PNGToICO

PNGToICO

Free Online PNG to ICO Converter

100% Free, Private & Browser-Based PNG to ICO Converter — Create Multi-Size Favicons & Windows Icons Instantly.

  • 16 → 256 px layers
  • Batch conversion
  • Keeps transparency
  • No uploads · No sign-up

PNGToICO is a free, 100% client-side PNG to ICO converter and favicon generator that creates multi-resolution ICO files from PNG images without uploading them to any server.

PNG to ICO converter tool

Drop PNG images here

or browse files · single icon or batch

PNG recommended (JPG, WEBP, GIF, BMP, SVG also accepted) · Best source: 256×256 or larger, square

ICO resolutions

Quick presets

Advanced options

Live multi-size preview

No image loaded

Your icon previews appear here

Upload a PNG to see every selected resolution side by side.

Export & download

How to convert PNG to ICO online

PNGToICO turns any PNG into a standards-compliant, multi-resolution Windows ICO file in a few seconds — without installing software or uploading your artwork.

  1. 01

    Upload your PNG

    Drag and drop one image or a whole batch. A square, transparent PNG of at least 256×256 pixels gives the sharpest results.

  2. 02

    Choose icon sizes

    Tick the resolutions you need or use a preset. The live preview shows how your icon reads at every size, in a browser tab and on a desktop.

  3. 03

    Download

    Get a single multi-layer .ico, a ZIP of individual PNG sizes with a web manifest, or a ZIP of every ICO in your batch.

What is an ICO file?

ICO is the Microsoft Windows icon container. Unlike a PNG, a single ICO file can hold several images at different resolutions. Windows, browsers and other apps automatically pick the layer that best fits the space — 16 pixels in a browser tab, 32 in the taskbar, 48 on the desktop and 256 in large icon views. That is why favicon.ico is still the most widely supported favicon format.

PNG vs. BMP layers inside an ICO

Each layer can be stored as a classic 32-bit BMP (DIB) with an alpha channel and AND mask, or as compressed PNG data. PNGToICO's Auto mode uses BMP for small sizes, for the widest compatibility with older Windows versions and tools, and PNG for the 256×256 layer to keep the file compact.

Recommended ICO sizes

SizeTypical use
16×16Browser tab favicon, bookmarks, small list views
32×32Taskbar, Retina/HiDPI favicon, shortcuts
48×48Windows desktop icon (medium)
64×64High-DPI desktop and Explorer views
128×128Large icons, app launchers
256×256Extra-large Windows app icon, installers

Website favicon: 16, 32, 48. Windows app: 16, 32, 48, 256 (plus 64 and 128 for best scaling).

Icon resolution preset checklist

  • Select All Standard Favicon Sizes

    ✓ 16×16 ✓ 32×32 ✓ 48×48 ✓ 64×64 ✓ 128×128 ✓ 256×256 — the most complete ICO, for any use.

  • Web Only (16x16, 32x32, 48x48)

    ✓ 16×16 ✓ 32×32 ✓ 48×48 — a lightweight favicon.ico for websites.

  • High-Res Windows App Icon

    ✓ 16×16 ✓ 32×32 ✓ 48×48 ✓ 256×256 — sharp in Explorer, taskbar and installers.

Transparent background preservation

PNGToICO keeps the full 8-bit alpha channel of your PNG. Every ICO layer is written as 32-bit RGBA, so soft shadows, anti-aliased edges and rounded shapes stay smooth on light and dark browser tabs, taskbars and desktops.

  • BMP layers store BGRA pixels plus a 1-bit AND mask generated from fully transparent pixels, for legacy Windows compatibility.
  • PNG layers embed compressed PNG data with alpha intact (Windows Vista+ and all modern browsers).
  • Transparency check: after upload, the tool reports the percentage of transparent pixels it detected.
  • Need a solid background instead? Choose Fill with color under Advanced options.

Private by design

Images are decoded, resized and packed by your own browser. Nothing is sent to a server.

Transparency check

PNGToICO detects alpha channels and warns when an image is not square, with fit, crop and stretch options.

Web-ready packages

Export apple-touch-icon, Android Chrome icons and a site.webmanifest alongside your favicon.ico.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PNG image to ICO for my website favicon?

Drop your PNG into PNGToICO, choose the Web Only preset (16×16, 32×32 and 48×48), check the live preview, then click Download .ICO. Upload the resulting favicon.ico to your site root and add <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any"> to your HTML <head>.

What sizes should a multi-resolution ICO file contain?

For a website favicon, 16×16, 32×32 and 48×48 are enough. For a Windows application or desktop icon, include 16, 32, 48 and 256 pixels; adding 64 and 128 improves scaling on high-DPI displays and in large icon views.

Are my uploaded PNG images safe and private?

Yes. PNGToICO processes everything locally with HTML5 Canvas and JavaScript inside your browser. Your images are never uploaded to a server, and nothing is stored after you close the tab.

Does the ICO file keep PNG transparency?

Yes. Every layer is stored as 32-bit RGBA, either as PNG-compressed data or as a 32-bit BMP with alpha channel, so transparent backgrounds stay transparent.

Should ICO layers be PNG or BMP?

Auto mode stores the 256×256 layer as PNG (to keep the file small) and smaller layers as BMP for maximum compatibility with older Windows versions and tools. PNG-only mode produces the smallest files and works in all modern browsers and Windows Vista or later.

My PNG is not square. What happens?

Icons must be square. PNGToICO warns you and lets you choose Fit (pad with transparency), Crop center, or Stretch so the result looks exactly how you want.

Can I convert several PNG files to ICO at once?

Yes. Drop multiple PNG files to batch convert them. Each image becomes its own multi-size ICO, and you can download them all together in a single ZIP archive.