ICO to PNG Converter
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Supports: ICO
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Need help?ICO to PNG Converter
An .ico is a Windows icon container — a single file that can pack several image sizes and color depths (16×16, 32×32, 48×48, sometimes 256×256) so the OS can pick the right one for a tab, taskbar, or desktop shortcut. That bundling makes it awkward to open or edit in ordinary image software. This tool reads the icon and writes a clean, standard PNG with the transparency intact, ready to edit, resize, or embed anywhere. Whether you are extracting a favicon or pulling an app icon into an editable image, you get one tidy PNG per file — no sign-up, no watermark.
How to Convert ICO to PNG
- Upload Your ICO File: Drag and drop your
.icoonto the page or click "+ Add Files" to browse. You can queue several icons and convert them in one batch. - Choose a Quality Preset: Leave "Quality Preset" on "Very High (Recommended)" for a small, crisp PNG, or switch to "Highest" for a pixel-exact, true-color output that skips palette optimization.
- Set the Output Size (Optional): Under "Image resolution", "Keep original" exports the icon at its native pixel size. To lock a specific dimension, use "Width × Height" (in pixels) — for example 256 × 256 or 32 × 32.
- Convert and Download: Click "Convert" and save your PNG. Any transparent or anti-aliased edges from the icon are carried straight into the output.
ICO Format at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | ICO (Windows icon) |
| Introduced | Windows 1.0 (1985); 8-bit alpha added in Windows XP (2001) |
| Structure | One container holding multiple images (sizes + color depths) |
| Common sizes | 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 256×256 px |
| Frame encoding | Uncompressed BMP, or PNG-compressed frames (Windows Vista, 2007) |
| Transparency | 1-bit mask (legacy) or 8-bit alpha channel |
| Primary use | Windows / app icons and legacy favicon.ico |
| Web use | Recognized as favicon.ico by all major browsers; not recommended for inline page content |
PNG Format at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics |
| Released | 1996 (ISO/IEC 15948:2004; a W3C Recommendation) |
| Compression | Lossless (DEFLATE) |
| Images per file | One image at one fixed resolution |
| Transparency | Full 8- or 16-bit alpha channel |
| Color | Palette, grayscale, or up to 48-bit truecolor |
| Native browser support | Full support in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera |
| Best for | Editing, sharing, and embedding icons or logos with transparency anywhere |
Which Output Size to Pick for a Favicon
If your icon packs several sizes and you need one specific dimension, set "Width × Height" to the exact pixels you want. Common targets:
| Icon size (px) | Typical use | Set "Width × Height" to |
|---|---|---|
| 16×16 | Browser tab / address-bar favicon | 16 × 16 |
| 32×32 | High-DPI tab, Windows taskbar | 32 × 32 |
| 48×48 | Windows desktop shortcut | 48 × 48 |
| 180×180 | Apple touch icon | 180 × 180 |
| 256×256 | High-resolution app / installer icon | 256 × 256 |
Going the other direction to rebuild a multi-size favicon? Use PNG to ICO. Need a flat image with no transparency? ICO to JPG flattens the icon onto a solid background.
Frequently Asked Questions
My ICO holds several sizes — which one ends up in the PNG?
xconvert writes one PNG per icon; it does not explode every embedded size into separate files the way some extractors do. It reads the icon's primary embedded image and saves it at the size you choose under "Image resolution". Leave "Keep original" to export at the icon's native pixel size, or set "Width × Height" to lock a specific dimension such as 256 × 256 or 32 × 32.
Does converting ICO to PNG keep the transparent background?
Yes. Both formats support an 8-bit alpha channel, so transparent and semi-transparent pixels — including anti-aliased edges — are preserved. The PNG will not gain a white or black box around the icon.
How do I get a pixel-exact, true-color PNG instead of a compressed one?
Switch "Quality Preset" from "Very High (Recommended)" to "Highest". The default preset applies light palette optimization to keep the file small (great for simple, few-color icons), while "Highest" writes a full true-color PNG with no palette reduction.
Can I pull a favicon straight from a website URL?
Not by pasting a link — this converter works on a file you upload. To grab a site's icon, download its favicon.ico first (most browsers let you save it, or open https://example.com/favicon.ico and save the file), then upload that .ico here.
Will enlarging a small icon make it look sharper?
No — an icon can't show more detail than it actually stores. In our testing, an .ico whose smallest frame was stored first exported a 16×16 transparent PNG at "Keep original"; forcing "Width × Height" to 256 × 256 upscaled that same frame rather than sharpening it, so the result looked soft. If you need a crisp large image, start from an icon that actually contains a 256×256 frame.
Is PNG a better choice than ICO for putting an image on a web page?
For inline page images, yes. MDN advises that ICO should not be used for general web content, and even favicons now commonly use a PNG referenced from a <link> tag. PNG is the safer, universally supported format for anything other than a legacy favicon.ico.
Can I turn the PNG back into a multi-size favicon later?
Yes. Once you have edited your PNG, PNG to ICO rebuilds a Windows icon and can bundle several standard sizes (down to 16×16) into a single .ico for use as a favicon.ico.
How are my uploaded ICO files handled?
Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically a few hours after conversion — never shared or made public. No account or email is required.