Convertto
Free online PNG → ICO converter. Drop a file, download the result.
What happens when you convert PNG to ICO
PNG is a lossless format with full alpha transparency — ideal for screenshots, logos, and artwork with sharp edges, at the cost of larger files for photos. ICO is a container rather than a single image: it holds the same icon at several square sizes so Windows and browsers can pick the one they need, which is why favicon.ico still exists.
- The usual route to a favicon.ico — a transparent PNG logo is exactly the right starting point.
- The .ico packs 16, 32, 48 and 256px square versions into one file, so Windows and browsers can each pick the size they want.
- Icons have to be square. A non-square source is scaled to fit and padded with transparency rather than stretched, so nothing looks squashed.
- Transparent pixels stay transparent — the alpha channel is carried across.
- ICO is lossless, so the output matches the decoded source pixel for pixel.
- EXIF metadata, including GPS coordinates, is dropped. Orientation is applied first, so the image stays the right way up.
- The file is converted in memory and streamed straight back — nothing is written to disk or saved to an account.
Frequently asked questions
Is converting PNG to ICO free?+
Yes — free, no watermark, and no account required. Signing in raises the per-file size limit and is the only reason you would need one.
Do you store the images I convert?+
No. Conversion happens in memory during the request and the result is streamed back to your browser. The file never touches our disks or database, and there is nothing to delete afterwards.
Will I lose quality converting to ICO?+
ICO encoding itself is lossless, so nothing is lost in this step.
Is there a limit on file size?+
Guests get a smaller per-file limit than signed-in accounts. If a file is rejected as too large, signing in is usually enough to get it through.
How do I use the .ico as my site's favicon?+
Put the file at the root of your site as favicon.ico. Browsers request that path automatically, so no HTML is strictly required — though adding <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any"> makes it explicit. Windows also uses .ico for application and shortcut icons.