Is this PNG to ICO converter really free?

Yes. Up to 5 files at a time, no signup, no catch. The free tier adds a small watermark to image output — Pro ($9.99/mo or $49/yr) removes it, raises the file size limit to 500 MB, and unlocks unlimited batch conversion.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No — and you can verify it yourself. Open DevTools → Network tab, then convert a file. You'll see zero upload requests. Everything runs in your browser via WebAssembly. We never see your files.

How long does conversion take?

Usually 1–3 seconds for a typical file. The very first conversion on a fresh page load may take 5–20 seconds while the WebAssembly codec loads — after that it's instant. Your CPU does all the work locally.

What is the file size limit?

Free: up to 10 MB per file, 5 files per batch. Pro: up to 500 MB per file, unlimited batch. If you're working with large videos or RAW photos, Pro is built for that.

Can I batch convert multiple PNG files at once?

Yes — drop multiple files at once (or Ctrl/Cmd+click to select them) and they all convert in parallel. Free accounts handle up to 5 files per batch; Pro has no limit.

Will the image quality change after conversion?

It depends on the formats involved. Converting to a lossless format like PNG preserves every pixel exactly. Converting to a lossy format like JPEG or WebP applies compression — we default to 85% quality, which looks identical to the original for almost all images. You won't notice a difference unless you zoom in pixel-by-pixel.

Do you support batch image conversion?

Yes — drop multiple images at once and they all convert in parallel. Free accounts handle up to 5 at a time; Pro is unlimited. Download everything as a single ZIP when you're done.

How private is this converter?

Completely private — by design, not policy. There is no upload endpoint. Files are processed using WebAssembly inside your browser tab and disappear the moment you close it. We collect only anonymous page-view counts; your file content is never seen or stored.

Convert PNG to ICO Online — Free & No Signup

How to convert PNG to ICO online

1
Drop your PNG file
Drag and drop your Portable Network Graphics file onto the converter, or click to browse your files. You can select up to 5 at once. Nothing leaves your device — conversion happens right here in the browser.
2
Hit Convert — it happens locally
Click Convert and watch it go. There's no upload, no server queue, no waiting. The converter runs Portable Network Graphics → Windows Icon Format entirely in your browser tab using WebAssembly. Most files finish in 1–3 seconds.
3
Download your ICO
Your Windows Icon Format file is ready. Click Download, or grab a ZIP if you converted a batch. Close the tab and everything disappears — no copies kept anywhere.

PNG vs ICO: format overview

PNG

Portable Network Graphics

PNG Development Group (Thomas Boutell) · 1996

Compression: lossless
Color depth: 16-bit
Transparency: Yes

✓ Lossless compression — pixel-perfect quality
✓ Full alpha transparency (8-bit alpha channel)
✗ Large file sizes for photos

ICO

Windows Icon Format

Microsoft · 1985

Compression: lossless
Transparency: Yes

✓ Multiple resolutions in a single file
✓ Required format for Windows app icons and favicons

PNG magic bytes: 89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A

ICO magic bytes: 00 00 01 00

Why convert PNG to ICO?

If you've ever tried to open a PNG file and hit a wall — the app won't accept it, the website rejects it, or the preview just shows a broken icon — you already know why this conversion matters.

Portable Network Graphics is great for what it was designed for, but it has real-world limitations: large file sizes for photos and no exif gps data by spec. The moment you step outside that original context, it gets frustrating fast.

Windows Icon Format is the safer choice for Website favicons, Windows application icons. Its main advantages — multiple resolutions in a single file and required format for windows app icons and favicons — mean it just works wherever you need it.

A few common reasons people end up here: - Their target app, site, or device doesn't accept PNG - They need a smaller file for email or upload (ICO often compresses better) - They need Windows Icon Format's specific capability: multiple resolutions in a single file - Compatibility with older software that pre-dates Portable Network Graphics

The conversion is one-way: you get a ICO that works everywhere Windows Icon Format is expected. The original PNG file is not touched.

Quality & file size: PNG to ICO

Typical file sizes: PNG 8–25 MB → ICO 10–100 KB.

Both PNG and ICO use lossless compression, so no quality is lost in conversion. The output ICO file will be visually identical to the PNG source.

Color depth: PNG supports 16-bit, ICO supports standard color.

Transparency: PNG supports transparency. ICO preserves transparency.

Frequently asked questions

Privacy: how FormatDrop handles your files

Your PNGfiles are converted 100% inside your browser using WebAssembly. They are never uploaded to our servers, never stored, and never seen by anyone other than you. This isn't a privacy policy claim — it's an architectural guarantee: our server has no endpoint that receives file bytes.