Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

ICO Converter – Create and Convert Windows Icons

Create Windows icons from images or extract ICO files to PNG. Perfect for favicons and app icons.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:f X in @

500+ Formats

Lightning Fast

100% Secure

Always Free

Cloud Processing

What is ICO?

ICO is the icon file format used by Microsoft Windows for desktop shortcuts, application icons, and website favicons. Unlike regular images, ICO files can contain multiple image sizes and color depths in a single file, allowing Windows to display the appropriate version depending on context.

A single ICO file typically includes 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256 pixel versions of the same icon. Windows automatically selects the best size—small for taskbar, medium for desktop, large for folder views.

ICO format is essential for Windows developers, website owners needing favicons, and anyone creating desktop shortcuts with custom icons.

Why Convert to or from ICO?

ICO has specific uses that require conversion:

Create Windows app icons – Software needs .ico files for the executable icon that appears in Explorer and taskbar
Make favicons – While modern browsers accept PNG, ICO ensures compatibility with all browsers including older Internet Explorer
Custom desktop shortcuts – Personalize Windows shortcuts with icons from any image
Extract icon images – Pull PNG images from ICO files for use in designs or other platforms
macOS/Linux compatibility – These systems don't use ICO, so icons need conversion to PNG or ICNS
Website development – Convert your logo to favicon.ico for browser tab display

Create ICO from Other Formats

Convert images to Windows icon format:

PNG to ICO

The recommended source format. PNG supports transparency, which is essential for professional-looking icons that blend with any desktop background. Start with a high-resolution PNG (256x256 or larger) for best results.

JPG to ICO

Works for icons without transparency. The icon will have a solid background. Good for quick conversions, but PNG is preferred when transparency matters.

JPEG to ICO

Convert JPEG images to Windows icon format. Works for icons without transparency needs. Use high-resolution source images for best multi-size icon creation.

SVG to ICO

Vector graphics scale perfectly to all icon sizes. Convert your SVG logo to ICO for crisp icons at every resolution from 16x16 to 256x256.

BMP to ICO

Legacy Windows users may have icons as BMP files. Convert to proper ICO format for better Windows integration and multi-size support.

GIF to ICO

Convert simple graphics with transparency to icon format. Note that ICO doesn't support animation—only the first frame is used.

Convert ICO to Other Formats

Extract images from ICO files:

ICO to PNG

Extract the icon as a PNG image with transparency preserved. Useful when you need the icon for web use, other operating systems, or design work. Can extract specific sizes or the largest available.

ICO to JPG

Extract as JPG when you don't need transparency. Smaller files, but the transparent background becomes white or black.

ICO to BMP

Extract in Windows bitmap format for legacy applications or specific workflow requirements.

ICO Technical Specifications

Full name: Windows Icon Format
Developer: Microsoft
File extension: .ico
MIME type: image/x-icon, image/vnd.microsoft.icon
Multiple sizes: Yes (typically 16, 32, 48, 256 pixels)
Color depths: 1-bit to 32-bit (including alpha transparency)
Compression: None or PNG compression (256x256 images)
Max images: Unlimited images per file

Icon Size Requirements

Windows Icon Sizes

16x16 – Small icons, title bars, taskbar
32x32 – Desktop icons (standard view)
48x48 – Large icons view
64x64 – Extra large icons
128x128 – Jumbo view
256x256 – Maximum size, Vista and later

Favicon Sizes

16x16 – Browser tab (classic)
32x32 – Taskbar, Windows site tile
48x48 – Windows site icon
180x180 – Apple Touch Icon (use PNG)
192x192 – Android Chrome (use PNG)

Our converter automatically creates all necessary sizes for Windows compatibility.

How to Convert ICO Files

Upload your image or ICO file – For creating icons, upload a PNG, JPG, or SVG. For extraction, upload your ICO file.
Choose your output – Select ICO to create a Windows icon with multiple sizes, or select PNG/JPG to extract from an ICO.
Download your file – Get your multi-size ICO ready for Windows, or your extracted image file.

Creating a favicon? Use your square logo (256x256 or larger) and we'll generate a favicon.ico with all the sizes browsers need.

Favicon Best Practices

Modern favicon implementation for websites:

favicon.ico – Place in website root for legacy browser support
PNG versions – Add 192x192 and 512x512 PNG for modern browsers and PWA
Apple Touch Icon – 180x180 PNG for iOS home screen bookmarks
Square source – Always start with a square image; non-square will be cropped
Simple design – At 16x16, only simple shapes are recognizable

Test your favicon at small sizes before finalizing—complex logos become unreadable.

Pro Tip

For Windows Store or modern Windows apps, also provide a 44x44 variant. Windows 10/11 uses additional sizes for Start menu tiles and notification area. Include 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, and 256 for complete coverage.

Common Mistake

Using a complex image as source. At 16x16 pixels, details become unrecognizable blobs. Simplify your logo for icon use—remove text and fine details, keep bold shapes and colors.

Best For

Windows application icons, website favicons, and custom desktop shortcuts. ICO is the only format that Windows fully supports for native icon display.

Not Recommended

macOS or Linux icons (use ICNS or PNG), high-resolution graphics, or any use case where you need a single specific size. For those, use PNG directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

ICO is the Windows icon format that stores multiple image sizes in one file. A single ICO can contain 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256 versions, letting Windows display the right size for each context (taskbar, desktop, folder view).

Upload a square PNG or JPG image (preferably 256x256 or larger), select ICO as output, and download your favicon.ico. Place it in your website's root directory for browser tab icons.

Start with a 256x256 PNG for the source. The converter creates all needed sizes (16, 32, 48, 256). For favicons, 16x16 and 32x32 are essential. Always use a square image.

Your source image likely used JPG format, which doesn't support transparency. Use a PNG with a transparent background to create icons that blend with any desktop color.

Yes—that's their key feature. A well-made ICO contains multiple sizes so Windows can pick the appropriate one. Small for taskbar, medium for desktop, large for detailed views.

Upload your ICO file and select PNG as output. The converter extracts the images, typically at the largest available size. Transparency is preserved.

Yes. 32-bit ICO files support full alpha transparency, allowing icons to blend smoothly with any background. Always use PNG source files to preserve transparency.

Modern browsers accept PNG favicons, but ICO provides better compatibility with older browsers (especially IE). For maximum support, use both: favicon.ico for legacy and PNG for modern browsers.

Windows displays icons differently depending on context—16x16 in menus and taskbar, 32x32 on desktop, 256x256 in extra-large view. Multiple sizes ensure crisp display everywhere.

Create a 256x256 PNG with transparency, convert to ICO, and include it in your application build. The ICO should contain at least 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256 sizes.

ICO Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.