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 right in your browser. 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 converter engine 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.

What size PNG should I use to get the best favicon result?

Use a square PNG of at least 256×256 pixels — ideally 512×512. The converter scales down to 16×16, 32×32, and 48×48, and a large source image gives the algorithm more detail to work with. If your source is smaller than 32×32, the tiny sizes will look blurry. Simple shapes and bold logos scale down cleanly; fine detail and small text will need manual pixel-hinting to look sharp at 16px.

Do I still need an ICO file, or can I use a PNG favicon?

For modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), a 32×32 PNG linked as works perfectly. The ICO format is mainly required for: (1) legacy Internet Explorer support, (2) the default /favicon.ico that browsers request even without a tag, and (3) Windows taskbar pinning, which looks for multi-resolution ICO data. If you're building a new site and don't need IE support, a PNG favicon is simpler — but shipping both (a /favicon.ico and a PNG) covers every case.

My favicon looks blurry in browser tabs — why?

Browser tabs display the 16×16 version of your favicon. At that size, any fine detail, thin strokes, or small text will look blurry because there simply aren't enough pixels to represent them. The fix is to simplify your icon for small sizes — thicken lines, remove small text, and use high-contrast shapes. Starting with a PNG of at least 256×256 helps, but can't compensate for overly complex artwork.

How private is this converter?

Completely private — by design, not policy. There is no upload endpoint. Files are processed right 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.

PNG to ICO — Free Favicon Creator, No Upload

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. 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?

Every website needs a favicon — the small icon that appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, and the address bar. The standard way to deliver one is still an ICO file, even though browsers have evolved. The ICO format is a container that holds multiple image sizes in a single file: typically 16x16 for browser tabs, 32x32 for taskbar pinning on Windows, and 48x48 for desktop shortcuts. If you have designed your logo or icon as a PNG, converting it to ICO is the final step before dropping it into your site root as `favicon.ico`.

Browsers automatically pick the right resolution from inside the ICO container. Chrome uses the 16x16 for tabs, Windows uses 32x32 and 48x48 when a site is pinned to the taskbar or saved as a desktop app. You can also reference the ICO in your HTML `<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico">` — every browser respects this tag. Beyond ICO, modern practice also calls for a 180x180 PNG as the Apple Touch Icon for iOS home screen shortcuts, and a 192x192 PNG for Android — those are separate files but often generated from the same source PNG in the same workflow.

For best results, start from a PNG that is at least 256x256 pixels — the converter scales down to each required size, and a large source gives the resizing algorithm more detail to work with. Icons with thin lines or small text at 16x16 often need manual pixel-hinting to look crisp; automated conversion handles simple shapes and bold logos well but may produce blurry results for complex artwork at the smallest sizes. SVG favicons are an emerging alternative supported by modern browsers, but ICO maintains the widest compatibility including older IE and Edge versions.

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 PNG files are converted 100% inside your browser. 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.