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Convert JPEG to ICO – Create Windows Icons

Convert JPEG images to ICO format for website favicons and Windows icons.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need an Icon from Your Image?

Windows applications, desktop shortcuts, and website favicons require ICO format. Standard JPEG images won't work—you need proper ICO files with multiple sizes.

Converting JPEG to ICO creates Windows-compatible icon files. Your logo, photo, or design becomes a usable icon for websites, software, or personalized desktop shortcuts.

How to Convert JPEG to ICO

  1. Upload your JPEG file – Use a square image for best results
  2. Confirm ICO output – ICO format includes multiple sizes
  3. Download your icon – Ready for websites, apps, or Windows shortcuts

Conversion happens in your browser—no software required.

Understanding ICO Format

ICO files are special—they contain multiple sizes of the same image:

  • 16x16 – Browser tabs, small UI elements
  • 32x32 – Taskbar, Windows shortcuts
  • 48x48 – Large icons view
  • 256x256 – High-DPI displays, Windows 10/11

Windows and browsers choose the appropriate size automatically. A good ICO includes all these sizes.

Common Uses for ICO Files

Website Favicons

The small icon in browser tabs. While modern browsers accept PNG, favicon.ico ensures compatibility with all browsers including older Internet Explorer.

Windows Applications

Software icons for executables. If you're developing Windows software, you need ICO format for the application icon.

Desktop Shortcuts

Personalize Windows desktop shortcuts with custom icons. Replace default folder icons with your own designs.

Bookmarks

Some browsers display favicons in bookmark lists. A clear, recognizable icon helps users find your site.

Best Practices for Icons

  • Use square images – Icons are always square; non-square images will be cropped or stretched
  • Start large – Use at least 256x256 source for quality at all sizes
  • Keep it simple – Icons are small; complex designs become unrecognizable
  • Consider transparency – For transparent backgrounds, use PNG to ICO instead

JPEG Limitations

JPEG doesn't support transparency. Your ICO will have a solid background (usually white or the original background color). For icons with transparent backgrounds, use PNG to ICO conversion instead.

Works on Any Device

Create ICO files in your browser:

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

Pro Tip

For favicons, include both favicon.ico (for legacy support) and PNG icons at various sizes (192x192, 512x512) in your site manifest. Modern browsers prefer PNG; ICO ensures older browser compatibility.

Common Mistake

Using complex photos as icons. At 16x16 pixels, detail is lost entirely. Simplify your design for icon use—bold shapes and high contrast work best.

Best For

Creating website favicons, Windows application icons, and custom desktop shortcut icons. Essential for branding consistency across browser tabs and apps.

Not Recommended

Don't use JPEG to ICO if you need transparency. JPEG's solid background becomes your icon background. Use PNG source for transparent icons.

Frequently Asked Questions

ICO is the Windows icon format containing multiple sizes of an image (16x16 to 256x256). Windows and browsers select the appropriate size automatically for different contexts.

Yes, but keep it simple. Complex photos become unrecognizable at 16x16 pixels. Logos and simple graphics work better as favicons than detailed photographs.

Yes. Icons are always square. If your source isn't square, crop it to a square aspect ratio first for best results.

No. JPEG doesn't support transparency. The background color from your image will remain. For transparency, convert a PNG to ICO instead.

At least 256x256 pixels for best quality. Larger is fine—we'll scale down. Smaller images may look pixelated at larger icon sizes.

Save as 'favicon.ico' in your website root directory. Browsers look for this file automatically. You can also link to it in your HTML head section.

Not natively. Mac uses ICNS format. ICO is Windows-specific. For web favicons, ICO works in browsers on any platform.

Either your source image was too small, or you're viewing the icon at a size it wasn't optimized for. Start with a larger source (256x256+) for sharp results.

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