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Convert ICO to HTML - Embed Icons Directly in Web Pages

Transform ICO icon files into embeddable HTML code. No external file hosting required.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Embed ICO Icons in HTML?

You have an ICO file and need to use it in a web page, but you want to avoid external file dependencies. Converting ICO to HTML lets you embed the icon directly as Base64-encoded data, eliminating the need for separate image hosting.

This approach is particularly useful for favicons, email signatures, and single-file HTML documents where you want everything self-contained. In our testing, embedded icons load faster on initial page render since there's no additional HTTP request.

How to Convert ICO to HTML

  1. Upload your ICO file - Drag and drop or click to select your icon
  2. Select HTML as output - The converter generates embeddable HTML code
  3. Download or copy the HTML - Use the generated code directly in your web pages

The output includes the complete HTML markup with the Base64-encoded image data. Simply paste it into your project and the icon displays without any external file.

ICO Format Explained

ICO is the standard icon format for Windows applications and web favicons. A single ICO file can contain multiple images at different sizes (16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 256x256) and color depths, allowing the system to select the most appropriate version.

When converting to HTML, the icon is extracted and encoded as Base64 data. This text-based representation can be embedded directly in HTML using data URIs, making the image self-contained within the document.

Common Use Cases

Self-Contained HTML Documents

Creating a single HTML file that works offline without external dependencies? Embedded icons ensure your document looks correct even without internet access.

Email Signatures

Many email clients block external images by default. Embedding icons as Base64 increases the chance they display properly across different email platforms.

Favicon Embedding

While linking to external favicon files is standard, some developers prefer embedding small favicons directly in the HTML head section to reduce HTTP requests.

Portable Web Applications

Single-page applications or tools distributed as single HTML files benefit from embedded icons that travel with the document.

Technical Considerations

Base64 encoding increases file size by approximately 33% compared to the original binary data. For small icons (under 5KB), this overhead is negligible. For larger icons, consider whether the convenience of embedding outweighs the size increase.

ICO files with multiple embedded sizes will use the primary icon for conversion. If you need a specific size, consider converting to ICO to PDF for documentation or extracting individual sizes before conversion.

All modern browsers support Base64-encoded images in HTML. The generated code works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and even older versions of Internet Explorer.

When to Use a Different Approach

Embedding works best for small icons. If you're working with larger images or need to reuse the same icon across many pages, linking to an external file is more efficient. The browser can cache external files, reducing bandwidth for repeat visitors.

For scalable icons that need to look sharp at any size, consider converting your source to SVG format instead. SVG icons embed cleanly in HTML and scale without quality loss.

Works in Any Browser

Convert ICO to HTML directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

No software installation required. Your files are processed locally for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

For favicons, keep the ICO under 5KB before embedding. Larger embedded favicons slow down initial page parsing. If your favicon is larger, stick with an external file for better performance.

Common Mistake

Embedding the same icon multiple times in one document. If you need the icon in several places, embed it once in a CSS class or JavaScript variable and reference it, rather than duplicating the Base64 data.

Best For

Single-file HTML documents, email signatures, portable web tools, and any situation where you need a self-contained HTML file without external dependencies.

Not Recommended

Large icons over 10KB, icons used across many pages (use external files for caching), or when you need the icon to scale at different sizes (use SVG instead).

Frequently Asked Questions

The conversion produces HTML code containing your icon as a Base64-encoded data URI. This code can be pasted directly into any HTML document to display the icon without needing an external image file.

No. Base64 encoding is lossless - it's a different representation of the same data. Your icon will look exactly the same as the original ICO file.

Base64 encoding increases size by about 33%. A 3KB ICO file becomes approximately 4KB of Base64 text. For small icons, this overhead is negligible.

Yes. You can embed the icon in a link tag within your HTML head section. While external favicon files are more common, embedded favicons work in all modern browsers.

Yes. All modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and even older versions of Internet Explorer support Base64-encoded images via data URIs.

ICO files can contain multiple versions at different resolutions. The conversion uses the primary icon from the file. If you need a specific size, you may need to extract it separately.

It depends on your use case. Embedding is better for single-file documents, offline access, and reducing HTTP requests. External files are better for caching and when the same icon appears on multiple pages.

Yes. Upload multiple ICO files and convert them all to HTML in a single batch. Each file generates its own embeddable HTML code.

Embedded images often display better in emails since many clients block external images by default. However, some email clients strip Base64 images too. Test with your target platforms.

Conversion happens directly in your browser. Your ICO files are not uploaded to any server, ensuring privacy and faster processing.

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