What is a favicon and why does my website need one?

A favicon (short for 'favorites icon') is the small icon that appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, home screen shortcuts and search results. Without a favicon, browsers display a generic page icon — making your site look unfinished and less trustworthy. Google also displays favicons next to results in mobile search, making them a subtle but impactful SEO element.

What favicon sizes do I actually need in 2025?

The essential sizes are: 16×16 and 32×32 for browser tabs, 180×180 for Apple Touch Icon (iPhone and iPad home screen), 192×192 for Android Chrome and PWA, and 512×512 for PWA splash screens. Our tool creates all 18 standard sizes simultaneously.

How do I add a favicon to my website?

After downloading your favicon files, upload them to your website's root directory. Then paste the HTML code snippet from our generator into the head section of every page — or into your layout.tsx if using Next.js, or header.php if using WordPress.

What is a PWA web manifest and do I need one?

A Progressive Web App (PWA) manifest is a JSON file that tells browsers how to display your site when installed as a home screen app. Without a manifest, your site cannot be installed as a PWA on Android devices. Our generator creates a complete manifest.json automatically.

What image makes the best favicon?

The best favicons are bold, simple and instantly recognisable at 16×16 pixels. Use just the icon or logomark portion of your logo — not the full horizontal logo with text. Single-letter monograms, geometric shapes and simple symbols all work excellently.

Image ToolsAll 18 Sizes · ZIP Download · PWA Manifest

Free Favicon Generator — Create favicon.ico & All Sizes Online

The most advanced favicon generator online. Create from an image, text, emoji or pixel art. Live device previews, all 18 sizes, PWA manifest.json and one-click ZIP download. 100% free, no login, no limits.

✓4 creation modes: upload image, text, emoji or pixel art
✓All 18 standard sizes including Apple Touch Icon (180×180)
✓Android Chrome (192×192) and PWA splash (512×512)
✓Live device mockups — Chrome tab, iOS, Android, Windows
✓Complete HTML snippet with all required link tags
✓PWA manifest.json generator and ZIP download

🖼️

Drop image here or click to upload

PNG · JPG · SVG · WebP — any size

Your image is never uploaded to any server

🎨 Customise

Shape

Background

Padding10%

Live Preview

Browser tab (16px)

💡 Favicon Tips

→Keep it bold — favicons are tiny

→Test at 16px before downloading

→Avoid thin lines and small text

→Use your logo icon, not full wordmark

→Rounded shape works best on iOS

→512px PWA icon must be maskable

⚡

PursTech Pro

Unlimited sizes, SVG export, dark mode favicon

Get Pro — $7/mo

📖 How to Create a Favicon

Choose your source

Select one of four creation modes: Upload an existing image or logo, create a text monogram, pick an emoji, or draw custom pixel art.

Customise shape & style

Choose a shape (square, rounded or circle), set a gradient or solid background, adjust padding. The live preview updates in real time.

Generate & download

Click Generate. All 18 sizes are created instantly. Preview in device mockups, then download the ZIP with PNG files, HTML snippet and PWA manifest.