Use the part of the logo that survives at a small size
A favicon appears in a very small space. A full company name with a tagline often becomes unreadable there. Start with an approved compact symbol or initial that remains recognisable when reduced.
Prepare a square image before converting it. Use sufficient contrast and leave sensible space around the mark. Do not rely on the converter to decide which part of a wide logo should be cropped; that is a design choice.
Convert the prepared image to ICO
- Open the free WebHolick Image Converter.
- Choose the prepared square PNG or another supported image.
- Select ICO / favicon in the output format list.
- Choose Convert image and download the result.
- Keep the original artwork and label the converted file clearly.
As checked on 29 October 2026, the converter limits ICO output to 256 pixels per side and preserves the source aspect ratio. It does not automatically make a rectangular input square. The result panel displays a PNG preview for ICO output, so verify the downloaded file as well.
Install and test the website reference
Upload the icon to a public location on your website and point a rel="icon" link in the page head to that location. Confirm that the URL returns the actual image rather than a missing-page response. Check the icon on a normal browser tab and at a small display size.
Google’s favicon guidance explains the homepage link, crawlability and eligibility requirements for search results. It also states that appearance is not guaranteed even when the requirements are met. Browser display and Google search display are separate checks.
Troubleshoot the right layer
If the browser icon is wrong, inspect the file path and competing icon declarations first. If the browser is correct but Google still shows an older icon, inspect the live homepage and image access before repeatedly replacing files. A deployment does not force every external cache or search result to update immediately.
Check the icon on both light and dark browser surfaces. A transparent mark can disappear against a background it was not designed for. If the result is unclear at a small size, return to the artwork rather than trying endless format conversions.
Include a favicon-ready mark in a brand handover when appropriate. The best conversion starts with an asset designed for its destination.