Favicon generator

A favicon (short for “favorite icon”) is the small image that represents a website in browser tabs, bookmarks, history lists and often in search results. Browsers usually show it at 16×16 or 32×32 pixels, so simple, high-contrast artwork works best.

It is a tiny logo for your website. When someone opens your page, the favicon appears next to the page title in the browser tab, which helps people find your site quickly among many open tabs.

The word favicon combines “favorite” and “icon”. It comes from Internet Explorer 5, which displayed a small icon beside sites saved to the Favorites list. Today the term covers every site icon, whether or not it is bookmarked.

A favicon image is the picture file used as your site icon, usually a square PNG, ICO or SVG. Start from a square image of at least 512×512 pixels so it can be scaled down cleanly to 16×16 and 32×32.

“Favicon icon” is another way to say site icon. It can be a .ico file, which stores several sizes in one file, or separate PNG and SVG files linked from the HTML head. All of them serve the same job: representing your site in small places.

Upload your logo to a favicon generator, crop it into a square, choose a background and download the generated files. With InstantFavicon you can also build a favicon from text or an emoji. Then upload the files to your site and add the link tags.

Start with simple square artwork, resize it to 512×512 and export smaller versions at 16, 32, 48, 180 and 192 pixels. A favicon creator does this automatically and also produces favicon.ico and the HTML code. Check the result in the light and dark tab previews before you publish.

An ICO file bundles several images, typically 16×16, 32×32 and 48×48 pixels, in one file. Upload your image to InstantFavicon and the ZIP includes a ready-made favicon.ico. Place it in your site’s root folder so browsers that request /favicon.ico can find it.

Upload the favicon files to your site’s root folder, then add link tags inside the <head> of each page, for example <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any">. The generator writes the full snippet for you with a copy button. If an old icon still shows, clear your browser cache.

Open your site’s design settings, find the Browser Icon option (usually under Logo & Title), upload a square PNG or ICO and save. Menu names vary between Squarespace versions, and browsers cache favicons, so the new icon can take a while to appear.

Provide at least 32×32 (or 48×48) for browser tabs, a 180×180 Apple touch icon, and 192×192 and 512×512 icons for Android and installable web apps. For Google Search results use a square icon in multiples of 48 pixels. A 512×512 master image is the best starting point.

The classic favicon is 16×16 pixels, and high-density screens use 32×32. Modern websites ship several sizes: 16, 32, 48, 180, 192 and 512 pixels. Our favicon size guide lists what each file is used for.

Generate your icon files, upload them to the root of your site, and add the favicon link tags to the head of every page or to your shared layout. Website builders have a built-in field instead: WordPress uses Site Icon, Squarespace uses Browser Icon, and Shopify and Wix have similar settings.

Favicons identify your site in browser tabs, bookmarks, history, home screen shortcuts and, on many devices, Google search results. A recognizable favicon builds trust, makes your site easier to find among open tabs and gives visitors a visual cue to come back.