Free JPG to ICO Converter – Favicon Generator

Convert JPG images to ICO favicon files — generates 16×16, 32×32, and 48×48 sizes automatically.

Your images never leave your device. All conversion happens locally in your browser.

Drag & drop your file here, or click to browse

JPG to ICO: Create a Favicon from Any JPG Image

Using a JPG as a Favicon Source

Any JPG image can be converted to an ICO favicon file. The most important consideration is that favicons are displayed very small, typically just 16x16 pixels in browser tabs. A good favicon source image should have clear, recognizable content even at very small sizes. Logos, simple icons, initials, and geometric shapes work best. Complex photographs lose detail when scaled down to favicon size.

Favicon Best Practices

Use a simple, recognizable design that looks good at 16x16 pixels. Avoid thin lines or tiny text that become illegible at small sizes. Use high contrast colors that stand out against both light and dark browser themes. Test your favicon in both Chrome and Safari as they render favicons slightly differently. Consider whether a solid white background will look acceptable since JPG does not support transparency.

How to Create a Square Crop

For the best favicon, crop your JPG to a square aspect ratio before converting. Open your image in any photo editor, select a square area around the most important part of the image (usually centered on the logo or face), and crop to that selection. Save as JPG, then convert to ICO using this tool. Starting with a square ensures the favicon displays without distortion.

How to Use the Favicon on Your Website

After converting and downloading your ICO file, rename it to favicon.ico and upload it to the root directory of your website (the same directory as your index.html). Then add the following to the head section of every page: link rel=icon type=image/x-icon href=/favicon.ico. For additional Apple device support, also add a link tag for apple-touch-icon pointing to a 180x180 PNG version of your favicon.

Browser Support for ICO Favicons

ICO format is the most universally supported favicon format. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and even old Internet Explorer all support ICO favicons. ICO is also understood by Windows Explorer for desktop shortcut icons. While modern browsers support PNG and SVG favicons as well, ICO remains the gold standard for cross-browser and cross-platform favicon compatibility.

ICO Multi-Size Format

The ICO format can embed multiple image sizes in a single file. This converter generates three sizes in one ICO: 16x16 (browser tab), 32x32 (Windows taskbar), and 48x48 (desktop shortcut icon). Windows selects the appropriate size automatically based on context, ensuring your favicon looks crisp at every display size rather than being scaled up from a single small image.

How to Convert JPG to ICO

  1. Prepare your JPG — crop to a square aspect ratio for best results.
  2. Select your JPG file — click the upload area or drag and drop.
  3. Click Convert to ICO — the custom ICO encoder creates a three-size ICO file in your browser.
  4. Download — save as favicon.ico and upload to your website root.

About This Tool

This JPG to ICO converter uses a custom JavaScript ICO encoder that runs entirely in your browser. No file is uploaded to any server. Free to use with no registration, no account, and no watermarks on converted files.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a JPG as a website favicon?

You can convert a JPG image to ICO format and use it as a favicon. For best results, use a square JPG image. The converter will scale it to the required favicon sizes of 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48 pixels. Keep in mind that JPG images do not support transparency, so the favicon will have a solid background.

What sizes does the ICO file contain?

This tool generates a multi-size ICO containing three resolutions: 16x16 pixels for browser tabs, 32x32 pixels for Windows taskbar and title bar icons, and 48x48 pixels for desktop shortcuts. All three sizes are embedded in a single .ico file for maximum compatibility.

Should I crop my JPG to a square before converting?

Yes, for best results use a square JPG image as input. If your JPG is not square, the converter will scale it to fit within a square, which may distort the image. Crop your JPG to a 1:1 aspect ratio before converting for the best-looking favicon.

How do I install the favicon on my website?

Download the ICO file and rename it favicon.ico. Upload it to the root directory of your website. Add a link tag to your HTML head: link rel=icon type=image/x-icon href=/favicon.ico. Most browsers will also automatically detect favicon.ico in the site root.

Is this JPG to ICO converter free?

Yes, completely free with no registration, no account, and no watermarks. The ICO encoder runs in your browser so your JPG image is never uploaded to any server.