ICO Converter

Amaze SEO Tools delivers a free ICO Converter that converts any standard image file into the ICO (Icon) format used for website favicons, desktop shortcuts, and application icons.

The ICO format is a specialized image container developed by Microsoft, specifically designed to hold icon graphics at multiple sizes within a single file. While modern browsers accept PNG favicons, the ICO format remains the universal standard supported by every browser, operating system, and platform without exception. If you want your favicon to appear correctly everywhere — from Chrome and Firefox to Internet Explorer, Safari bookmarks, and Windows desktop shortcuts — ICO is the safest choice.

Our tool simplifies the conversion process. Upload any image, pick your desired icon dimensions from nine preset sizes (or generate all sizes at once), and download a properly formatted ICO file in seconds.

Input Fields about ICO Converter Tool

1. Image Upload

Two methods are available to supply your source image:

Choose File — Click this button to browse your local storage and select a PNG, JPG, GIF, or BMP image to convert. The label shows "No file chosen" until a file is selected.

USE REMOTE URL — Click this link to load an image directly from a web address. Enter the direct URL of any publicly accessible image, and the tool fetches it for conversion without requiring you to download it first.

Upload limit: 5 MB per file. Most logos, icons, and web graphics fall comfortably within this allowance.

2. Icon Size

A dropdown menu where you select the pixel dimensions for your output ICO file. The default is 32 × 32 Pixel. The full list of available sizes:

• 16 × 16 Pixel — The classic favicon size. This tiny icon appears in browser tabs, bookmark bars, and history lists. Every website needs this size as a minimum.
• 24 × 24 Pixel — Used in certain toolbar interfaces and smaller UI contexts where 16px is too small but 32px is too large.
• 32 × 32 Pixel (default) — The standard favicon size for modern browsers. Displayed in tabs on high-DPI screens, Windows taskbar pins, and new tab page shortcuts. This is the most commonly recommended size.
• 48 × 48 Pixel — Used for Windows desktop shortcut icons and certain dock displays on macOS and Linux.
• 64 × 64 Pixel — An intermediate size used in some notification area icons and medium-scale UI elements.
• 96 × 96 Pixel — Appears in Windows folder previews and larger icon display modes within file explorers.
• 128 × 128 Pixel — Common for application icons on macOS and Linux desktop environments.
• 192 × 192 Pixel — The recommended icon size for Android home screen shortcuts when users add your website via Chrome's "Add to Home Screen" feature.
• 256 × 256 Pixel — The maximum standard ICO size. Used in Windows "Extra Large Icons" view and high-resolution application icon displays.
• All sizes — Generates a single ICO file containing every size listed above. This multi-size ICO ensures your icon looks sharp across all platforms, browsers, and display contexts automatically.

3. reCAPTCHA (I'm not a robot)

Tick the "I'm not a robot" security checkbox before converting.

Action Button for ICO Converter

Convert (Dark Blue Button)

After uploading your image, selecting your icon size, and passing the reCAPTCHA, click "Convert" to generate the ICO file. The converted favicon is then available to download and add to your website.

How to Use ICO Converter – Step by Step

1. Open the ICO Converter on the Amaze SEO Tools website.
2. Upload your source image — click "Choose File" for a local file or "USE REMOTE URL" for an online image.
3. Select the Icon size from the dropdown — choose a specific pixel dimension or "All sizes" for maximum compatibility.
4. Complete the reCAPTCHA step.
5. Click "Convert" to generate the ICO file.
6. Download the ICO and upload it to your website's root directory (typically named favicon.ico).

Which Icon Size Should You Choose?

Selecting the right size depends on where the icon will be used:

• For a basic website favicon — Start with 32 × 32. It's the standard modern browser favicon size and looks crisp on most screens, including Retina displays where browsers scale up from 16px.
• For complete cross-platform coverage — Select "All sizes" to embed every dimension in one ICO file. The browser or operating system automatically picks the best size for each context — tabs, bookmarks, desktop, mobile home screen.
• For mobile web apps — If users will add your site to their Android home screen, make sure to include 192 × 192 for a sharp icon on mobile devices.
• For Windows desktop shortcuts — If visitors save your site as a desktop shortcut, sizes 48 × 48 through 256 × 256 ensure the icon displays crisply at every Windows icon view setting.
• When file size matters most — Stick to a single small size like 16 × 16 or 32 × 32 to keep the ICO file as lightweight as possible.

Why Choose Amaze SEO Tools for ICO Conversion?

• Completely Free — No account, no watermarks, no conversion limits.
• Nine Precise Sizes Plus "All Sizes" — Ten total options give you exact control over your output, from 16px favicons to 256px application icons.
• Multi-Size ICO Support — The "All sizes" option bundles every dimension into a single file — something most free converters don't offer.
• Two Upload Methods — Local file picker or remote URL import for maximum flexibility.
• Universal Format Output — ICO files work in every browser and operating system without exception, unlike PNG favicons which some legacy browsers ignore.
• No Design Software Needed — Convert directly from your browser without opening Photoshop, GIMP, or any image editor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the ICO Converter free?

A: Yes. The tool by Amaze SEO Tools is entirely free — no registration, no payment, and no watermarks on the output.

Q: What image formats can I convert to ICO?

A: You can upload PNG, JPG/JPEG, GIF, or BMP images. PNG files with transparent backgrounds are recommended for the best favicon results, since the transparency carries over into the ICO output.

Q: What is the difference between ICO and PNG favicons?

A: ICO is a container format specifically built for icons, capable of holding multiple image sizes in a single file. PNG is a general-purpose image format. While modern browsers accept both, ICO provides guaranteed compatibility across all browsers, including older versions of Internet Explorer that don't recognize PNG favicons.

Q: What does "All sizes" produce?

A: It creates one ICO file containing nine embedded images — one at each pixel dimension from 16×16 through 256×256. When a browser or operating system needs an icon, it picks the closest matching size from the file automatically.

Q: How do I add the favicon to my website?

A: Upload the ICO file to your website's root directory and name it favicon.ico. Most browsers automatically look for this file. You can also add a link tag in your HTML head: <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">.

Q: Should my source image be square?

A: Yes. Favicons are square, so starting with a square source image (1:1 aspect ratio) produces the best results. If your image is rectangular, it will be scaled to fit the square dimensions, which may cause stretching or cropping.

Q: What's the upload size limit?

A: Source images up to 5 MB are accepted. Since favicons are small icons, your source image doesn't need to be massive — a 512×512 or 1024×1024 PNG is more than sufficient for generating all icon sizes.

Create professional ICO favicons from any image — use the free ICO Converter by Amaze SEO Tools and give your website the perfect browser tab icon!