How to Make a Favicon (Logo, Image or Emoji)
From a logo, photo, image URL, or emoji, and how to keep it readable at 16x16.
The shape of the job
- 1
Choose a source
Start from a logo or image file, an emoji or named icon, or an image URL.
- 2
Design for small sizes
Keep the mark simple and high-contrast so it stays legible at 16x16 pixels.
- 3
Export every size and format
Generate the .ico, the PNG sizes, the apple-touch-icon, and the manifest icons in one pass.
Method A: From a logo or image
Upload a logo, an icon, or even a screenshot. The generator crops, scales, and exports every size plus the .ico and manifest. PNG or SVG source art with a transparent background gives the cleanest result.
Method B: From an emoji or named icon
No logo yet? Pick an emoji or a named icon and the generator renders it onto a square or circular background of your choice. It's the fastest way to ship a recognizable favicon for a side project, prototype, or internal tool.
Method C: From an image URL
Paste a URL and pull artwork straight from an existing site or asset. Handy when you're rebuilding a brand you already have live somewhere else.
Design for small sizes
Start from 512x512 art and scale down, never up.
Drop fine detail and thin strokes; they vanish at 16px.
Test on light and dark tabs. If you need a different mark for each, theme-aware favicons cover it.
Review every dimension in the favicon sizes guide before you export.
16x16, at real size
Pick the right format
| Format | What it's for |
|---|---|
| ICO | Legacy default, still requested at /favicon.ico. Bundles multiple sizes in one file. |
| PNG | The workhorse for modern browsers, apple-touch-icon, and Android. One file per size. |
| SVG | Scales crisply and supports theme switching, with PNG fallbacks for older browsers. |
Designing campaign or seasonal icons
Want a holiday variant or a product-launch mark? Use the creative canvas to mock and tweak favicons with text, emoji, and icons before handoff.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a favicon be?
Design at a high resolution (512x512) and export down to 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 180x180, and 192x192 so every browser and device gets a crisp icon.
Can I make a favicon from an emoji?
Yes. Pick an emoji or named icon and the generator renders it onto a transparent or colored background and exports every favicon size automatically.
What format should a favicon be?
Ship a multi-resolution .ico for legacy support, PNGs for modern browsers and devices, and optionally an SVG for crisp scaling. A good generator produces all of these.