How to Create a Favicon for Your Website

A favicon is the small icon that appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, and search results. Here is how to create one for free.

What is a Favicon?

A favicon (short for "favorite icon") is a 16x16 or 32x32 pixel icon that represents your website. Browsers display it in:

• The browser tab (next to the page title)
• Bookmarks and favorites lists
• Browser history
• Search engine results (Google, Bing)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Design Your Icon

Start with a simple square image. Best practices for favicons:

• Use a simple, recognizable design (it will be tiny)
• Stick to 1-2 colors for clarity
• Avoid text (too small to read at 16x16px)
• Use a transparent background for rounded corners

Step 2: Convert to ICO Format

Use our ICO Generator to convert your image:

1. Upload your PNG or JPG image

2. Our tool generates multiple sizes (16x16, 32x32, 48x48)

3. Download your .ico file

Step 3: Add to Your Website

Upload the favicon to your website root and add this to your HTML :

``html

`

Step 4: Add Modern Favicon Sizes

For better display on mobile and high-DPI screens:

`html `

Favicon Best Practices

Size	Purpose	Required
16x16	Browser tab, bookmarks	Yes
32x32	Taskbar, high-DPI screens	Recommended
48x48	Older browsers	Optional
180x180	iOS home screen	Recommended
192x192	Android Chrome	Recommended

Common Favicon Mistakes

1. Using JPEG — ICO and PNG support transparency; JPEG doesn't

2. Too detailed — complex designs look like a blur at 16px

3. No transparency — white background looks bad on dark themes

4. Wrong file format — use .ico` for maximum compatibility

---

Create your favicon for free with ImageToolbox ICO Generator. No signup, no uploads, 100% private.