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ImgWrench

PNG to ICO Converter

Turn a transparent PNG into a multi-size .ico file for apps, shortcuts and favicons, right in your browser.

Sizes

Everything happens on your device. Nothing is uploaded.

Specs

OutputOne .ico file per PNG
Sizes you can include16, 20, 24, 30, 32, 36, 40, 48, 60, 64, 72, 80, 96 and 256 px
Checked by default16, 24, 32, 48 and 256 px, Microsoft's minimum set
TransparencyKept at every size: 32-bit with alpha, 256 px stored as PNG
InputPNG (JPG, WebP and GIF work too)

Specs last verified: 2026-10-24

ImgWrench's PNG to ICO converter turns a PNG into a Windows .ico file that holds every size you pick, from 16 to 256 pixels. Transparency is kept at every size, Microsoft's recommended set is ticked for you, and small sizes get light sharpening so they stay crisp.

How to convert PNG to ICO

  1. Drop one or more PNG files into the tool above.
  2. Keep the default sizes, or tick the ones you need.
  3. If a PNG isn't square, choose Contain or Cover.
  4. Download each .ico, or all of them as a ZIP.

Why PNG is the best source for an icon

A PNG can have a transparent background, so the icon sits cleanly on any taskbar, desktop or browser tab. Microsoft notes icons look best on transparent backgrounds. The .ico keeps that transparency: each size is stored as a 32-bit image with an alpha channel, and the 256px size is stored as a PNG inside the .ico.

Which sizes to include

Windows looks for an exact size first and scales the next size down when there isn't one. Microsoft recommends at least 16, 24, 32, 48 and 256 pixels for apps. For a website's favicon.ico, 16, 32 and 48 are enough.

Tips for a sharp PNG icon

  • Start at 256px or more. Every size in the .ico is then a step down, never up.
  • Trim empty space. A lot of transparent padding makes the icon look small at 16px.
  • Bold shapes beat fine detail. Thin lines and small text disappear at the smallest sizes.

Why ImgWrench

  • Transparency kept. Every size has a full alpha channel.
  • Batch conversion. Up to 20 PNGs at once, each to its own .ico.
  • Private by design. Your files never leave your device.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PNG to ICO?

Drop the PNG into the tool above, keep the default sizes or tick the ones you need, and download the .ico. Microsoft's recommended set of 16, 24, 32, 48 and 256 pixels is ticked for you. If the PNG isn't square, choose Contain to fit it with transparent space around it, or Cover to fill the square and trim the edges.

Does PNG to ICO keep the transparent background?

Yes. Every size inside the .ico is stored as a 32-bit image with a full alpha channel, and the 256px size is stored as a PNG inside the file. Soft edges and shadows look the same as in your PNG, so the icon sits cleanly on any taskbar, desktop or browser tab. Microsoft notes icons look best on transparent backgrounds.

What size should my PNG be for an ICO file?

256×256 pixels or larger. The biggest size in the .ico is 256px, so a smaller PNG would have to be scaled up and would look soft. Starting bigger means every size is a step down, never up. Trim empty transparent space too, because a lot of padding makes the icon look small at 16px.

How do I make a favicon.ico from a PNG?

Drop your PNG into the tool, tick 16, 32 and 48 and untick the rest to keep the file small. Download the .ico and save it as favicon.ico; for a website, those three sizes are enough. A transparent PNG works best, because the icon then sits cleanly on any browser tab, and bold shapes stay readable at 16px.

Can I convert several PNG files to ICO at once?

Yes. Drop up to 20 PNGs into the tool and each one becomes its own .ico with the sizes you picked. Download the files one by one, or all of them together as a ZIP. JPG, WebP and GIF files work too, if some of your icons aren't PNGs, and every file keeps its transparency at every size.

How do I turn a PNG into a Mac .icns icon?

Use the PNG to ICNS converter. An .ico is for Windows apps, shortcuts and favicons, while macOS app icons use the .icns format. The ICNS tool packs Apple's full set of sizes into one file, so you can drop the same transparent PNG into both tools and get a sharp icon for each system.

Are my PNGs uploaded anywhere?

No. PNG to ICO runs entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your device and are never sent to a server. Resizing, sharpening and building each .ico all happen locally. You can check this yourself: open your browser's network tab while you convert, and you'll see that no image data is sent anywhere.