ICO and PNG are both useful icon formats, but they solve different problems. ICO is still important for classic favicon and Windows workflows, while PNG is the better source asset and output format for many modern interfaces.
What ICO is best for
ICO is designed as an icon container. A single ICO file can carry multiple icon sizes, which is why it remains useful for favicon delivery and Windows-oriented application assets.
- Classic website favicons
- Windows application icons
- Desktop shortcuts and shell surfaces
- Single-file multi-size icon packaging
What PNG is best for
PNG is usually the better working format for design and delivery outside traditional favicon use cases. It keeps transparency, is easy to edit, and works well at larger resolutions.
- Source artwork and export masters
- Apple touch icons and manifest icons
- High-resolution web and app assets
- Transparent graphics and UI elements
Side-by-side comparison
When to choose ICO
- You need a traditional favicon file.
- You are packaging a Windows application icon.
- You want several small icon sizes in one downloadable file.
When to choose PNG
- You are still designing or editing the source artwork.
- You need high-resolution transparent assets.
- You are preparing Apple touch icons, manifest icons, or UI graphics.
- You only need one specific image size.
Recommended workflow
For most teams, the best workflow is simple: design in a large PNG source, export PNG variants for modern platforms, and generate an ICO file when you need favicon or Windows compatibility.
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">Need to convert between formats?
Use the browser-based tools to create ICO files from standard images or extract the largest available frame from an ICO file.