Convert ICO to PNG Online — Free
Convert ICO to PNG online — extract Windows icons into standard PNG images at full resolution. Transparency preserved, no signup.
Direct converter coming soon
Use the Image Compressor with ICO input.
Open Image Compressor →How to convert ICO to PNG
- 1
Add your ICO file
Drop or select a .ico file. Files up to 50MB process locally in your browser — nothing uploaded.
- 2
Run the conversion
We decode your ICO file (which may contain multiple icon sizes bundled together: 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 256×256), pick the largest size, and re-export as PNG. Transparency is preserved in both formats via alpha channel mapping.
- 3
Download your PNG
One click saves the result as a .png file. Your original file stays on your device.
Why convert ICO to PNG?
ICO is a Windows-specific format primarily used for application icons and favicons. To use the icon in a cross-platform web app, design file, macOS/Linux tool, or modern web project (where SVG or PNG favicons are now preferred), you need PNG. PNG also opens in every image editor while ICO often needs dedicated software.
Common ICO to PNG use cases
- Extracting an app icon from a Windows .ico file for use in a cross-platform Electron or Tauri app that needs PNG
- Converting a legacy website's favicon.ico to PNG for redesign in Figma, Sketch, or Photoshop
- Pulling icon art from a Windows application installer for a design reference or asset migration
- Producing PNG icon assets from ICO originals for a macOS or Linux port of a Windows-native app
What file size to expect
A multi-size favicon.ico bundling 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 256×256 variants is typically 15-100 KB. The PNG output of the 256×256 (largest) size is usually 5-30 KB depending on color complexity and transparency. Single-size small ICOs (16×16 or 32×32) produce tiny PNGs of 1-3 KB.
Technical notes: ICO → PNG
ICO is a container format that can hold multiple icon images at different resolutions and bit depths (1-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit paletted, 24-bit RGB, 32-bit RGBA). Modern ICOs often embed PNG data directly for sizes 256×256 and up. The browser's ICO decoder extracts the largest available size; legacy BMP-style ICOs with 1-bit or 4-bit depth may render with reduced quality. Alpha channel is preserved from 32-bit RGBA variants; 24-bit ICOs have no alpha and produce solid-background PNGs.
Compatibility and browser support
PNG is universally supported everywhere. ICO input works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge reliably for standard Windows ICO variants. Very old (Windows 3.x-era) ICOs with unusual bit depths may fail; re-export from a modern icon editor first.
ICO vs PNG
| ICO | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Small | Larger (lossless) |
| Quality | Lossless | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Browser / app support | Windows / favicons | Universal |
| Best for | Browser favicons, Windows icons | Screenshots, logos, graphics with transparency |
Related conversions
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple icon sizes in one ICO?
We extract the largest size embedded in the ICO. Manual size selection (export each individual size) is on our roadmap.
Transparency?
Preserved from 32-bit RGBA ICO variants. 24-bit RGB ICOs have no alpha channel and produce PNGs with a solid background.
What if my ICO doesn't open?
Very old (Win3.x-era) or unusual ICO variants may not decode in-browser. Re-export from a modern icon editor (IcoFX, Greenfish Icon Editor) first, or try a fresh .ico file.
Can I get all the sizes separately?
Today only the largest size exports. To extract all sizes, use a desktop tool like IcoFX or ImageMagick with `convert icon.ico icon.png` (produces numbered PNGs for each size).
Will Windows-specific metadata survive?
No — ICO has minimal metadata compared to PNG. The output PNG has no text chunks, author info, or ICO-specific bit depth flags.
Is this good for favicon design?
Yes — convert your ICO to PNG to redesign in a modern tool, then use the PNG directly as a favicon (<link rel='icon' type='image/png' href='favicon.png'>). Modern browsers prefer PNG over ICO for favicons.