ICO to PNG Converter

How to convert ICO to PNG

Drop your .ico file above or click to browse. The browser renders the ICO at its highest available resolution and exports it as a PNG. Transparency is preserved — ICO files with alpha channels produce PNGs with a transparent background. Your file never leaves your device.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ICO file?

ICO (Icon) is a Windows image format used for application icons, taskbar icons, and browser favicons. ICO files contain multiple resolutions of the same image packed into a single file (typically 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 256×256 pixels). Windows uses the appropriate size for each context automatically.

Why convert ICO to PNG?

PNG is universally supported while ICO is a Windows-specific format. Convert ICO to PNG when you need to use a Windows icon in a design tool, on a website, or on macOS/Linux. Designers often extract PNG versions of icons to use in mockups, presentations, and web assets.

Does the PNG preserve the transparency from the ICO?

Yes — ICO files support alpha transparency, and the PNG output preserves it. Icons with transparent backgrounds will produce PNGs with a transparent background, ready for use in designs.

What resolution will my PNG be?

The browser renders the ICO at the highest available resolution embedded in the file — typically 256×256px for modern icons. To upscale or downscale to a specific dimension, use the image resizer after converting.

Can I convert a favicon.ico to PNG?

Yes — favicon.ico files are standard ICO files. Drop the favicon.ico to extract it as a PNG. Favicons are typically 16×16 or 32×32 pixels, so the resulting PNG will be small. Use the image resizer to scale up if needed.

Can I convert SVG icons to PNG instead?

For SVG icons, use the SVG to PNG converter — it renders SVG vector files at any resolution you choose.

Is my ICO file uploaded anywhere?

No — conversion runs entirely in your browser using the Canvas API. Your file never leaves your device.

What is an ICO file?

ICO is the Windows icon container format. Unlike regular images, a single ICO file can bundle multiple resolutions of the same icon — typically 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 256×256 pixels. Windows automatically picks the right size for each display context, such as the taskbar (32×32), desktop (48×48), or file explorer thumbnails (256×256).

Why do websites use ICO files?

Favicons — the small icon shown in browser tabs, bookmarks, and address bars — are traditionally served as favicon.ico because all browsers and operating systems universally support the ICO format. Modern websites also add PNG favicons for larger sizes and Apple touch icons, but the ICO file remains the universal baseline that works in every browser including Internet Explorer.

What size should I export the PNG at?

For favicon use, 16×16 or 32×32 pixels is standard. For Windows application icons used in the taskbar or desktop, 48×48 or 256×256 is preferred. This converter extracts the highest-resolution layer available in the ICO file — use the image resizer to scale to your target size afterward.

Can I convert PNG to ICO?

This tool converts ICO to PNG only. To go the other direction — creating a favicon.ico from a PNG — you'll need a dedicated ICO converter that can pack multiple resolutions into a single ICO container. This tool is optimized for extracting PNGs from existing ICO files.