Guide5 min read
ICO Converter Guide: JPG, PNG, SVG & WebP
Convert any image to a favicon or Windows ICO — JPG, PNG, SVG, WebP — free, private, right in your browser.
Convert PNG to ICO
Turn a transparent PNG logo into a Windows/favicon ICO file. Free, instant, private.
Drop your PNG images here
Only PNG files accepted
Why use PixelTools to convert png to ico
Transparency preserved
Alpha channels in your source PNG carry through to every frame of the generated ICO — no white or black fill behind your logo.
Multi-size favicon in one file
One .ico carries the 16, 32 and 48 pixel frames together, so you ship a single asset instead of juggling a separate file per size.
100% browser-based
Your PNG never leaves your device. The ICO container is assembled locally using the Canvas API — no upload, no server.
Batch conversion
Drop several PNGs at once and download every generated icon individually or together as a ZIP.
Three steps to convert png to ico
- 1
Drop your PNG
Select or drag the .png file you want as an icon — usually a logo or app mark on a transparent background. The browser reads it locally, no upload involved.
- 2
Render at favicon sizes
The image is drawn onto three canvases at 16×16, 32×32, and 48×48 pixels, preserving transparency, then each is exported as a PNG frame — the same sizes browsers and Windows expect inside an .ico file.
- 3
Pack into an ICO container and download
The frames are assembled into one .ico file, with a short directory at the start telling any reader where each size begins — the structure Windows and every browser expect from a favicon.
Who converts PNG to ICO?
PNG is the natural source for a favicon or app icon since it already carries a transparent background. People converting PNG to ICO are usually finishing a brand or app identity, not looking for a general-purpose image format.
Website favicon with a transparent logo
Most CMS platforms and static site generators still expect a favicon.ico in the site root. Starting from a transparent PNG logo keeps the icon's background see-through instead of boxed in a solid color.
Windows desktop shortcut icons
Windows .lnk shortcuts and .exe files require an .ico resource for their icon — a PNG logo needs to be packed into ICO format before it can be assigned as a custom shortcut icon.
Electron and desktop app builds
Electron Builder, Tauri and similar bundlers all want an .ico for the Windows target specifically — the one format their config won't accept a PNG for, however the rest of the icon set is stored.
App store and marketplace icon submission
Installer builders like Inno Setup and NSIS ask for a standalone .ico alongside whatever else the app ships, usually generated from the same master PNG artwork.
Frequently asked questions
Why convert PNG to ICO instead of JPG to ICO?
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PNG supports transparency. Since most logos and app icons need a transparent background rather than a solid color fill, converting from PNG keeps that transparency intact through to the finished .ico file — a JPG source would always produce an opaque icon.
What sizes are packed into the ICO file?
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The converter renders your PNG at 16×16, 32×32, and 48×48 pixels and packs all three into a single .ico file — the standard set for browser favicons, Windows shortcuts, and taskbar icons.
Will transparency be preserved?
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Yes. Each frame is stored as PNG data inside the ICO container, so any transparent background or alpha edge in your source PNG carries through unchanged.
What if my PNG isn't square?
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Non-square sources are center-cropped to a square before scaling, since favicons and shortcut icons are always square. For best results, start with a square or near-square logo.
Can I use this file as my website's favicon?
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Yes — that's what it's for. Drop it in your site root as favicon.ico and most frameworks pick it up with no config at all; otherwise point a <link rel="icon"> at it. The browser chooses the frame it needs per context, so a tab, a bookmark bar and a pinned shortcut each get a size drawn for them.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
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No. The PNG is decoded and packed into the ICO container entirely in your browser using the Canvas API. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
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