GIF to ICO Converter
To convert GIF to ICO, add your GIF and press Convert with ICO selected. The first frame is turned into one ICO file with square icons of 16, 32 and 48 pixels, plus larger sizes up to 256 when the GIF is big enough. Transparent pixels stay transparent, and non-square images are fitted into a square. All of it happens in your browser and the GIF never leaves your device.
- Free, no sign-up
- Your file never leaves your device
- Up to 50 MB per file
ICO is lossless, so there is no quality setting. The file holds square icons of 16, 32 and 48 pixels (plus 64, 128 and 256 when the image is large enough).
Your file never leaves your device; images are processed in your browser. EXIF and location data are not added to the output.
How to convert GIF to ICO
Add your GIF files
Drag the images onto the upload area or browse for them; you can add several files at once.
Keep ICO as the output
ICO is already selected. For formats with a quality setting the slider starts at a default that suits the format (JPG 90%, WebP 80%, AVIF 60%); lower it if you want a smaller file.
Convert and download
Press “Convert”. Every file is processed in your browser, and you can download the results one by one or as a ZIP.
What is preserved?
Kept
- The image proportions (a non-square image is fitted inside a square)
- The correct photo orientation (EXIF orientation is applied)
- Colors (adapted to sRGB)
- Transparency (alpha channel)
Changed
- The image does not stay at a single size: it is scaled to square icons of 16, 32 and 48 pixels (plus 64, 128 and 256 when it is large enough) and packed into one ICO file; a non-square image leaves empty space on the sides
Not carried over
- EXIF, location and camera data: left out of the output for privacy
- Motion: only the first frame is converted
When to use it
Replace an old GIF favicon
Some older sites still reference a favicon.gif. Converting it to favicon.ico gives you the format browsers look for by default.
Pixel-art icons for Windows
Small pixel-art GIFs make charming folder and shortcut icons. As ICO they can be assigned in Windows without any extra tool.
Limitations to know
- ICO is at most 256 × 256 pixels, so larger images are scaled down. If you need a full set for a website (Apple and Android icons, manifest), use the Favicon generator.
- For animated GIF files only the first frame is converted.
- Up to 50 MB per file; the output can be at most 16,384 pixels on one side.
- On iPhone and iPad, images above roughly 16 megapixels may not be processed because of a browser limit.
About the formats
What is GIF?
GIF is an image format from 1987 limited to 256 colors per image. It supports simple on/off transparency and short animations, which is why it is still used for small graphics and looping clips. For photographs it is a poor choice, because the color limit causes visible banding.
What is ICO?
ICO is an icon format that stores several square sizes (for example 16, 32 and 48 pixels) in a single file. It is used for Windows icons and for a website's favicon.ico; when a browser needs a small tab icon it picks the matching size from the file. It supports transparency, but cannot be larger than 256 × 256 pixels.
Frequently asked questions
Can my favicon be animated if I start from a GIF?
No. ICO files hold still images, so the icon is made from the first frame of the GIF.
My GIF is only 32 pixels. Which sizes do I get?
The 16, 32 and 48 pixel sizes are always written; larger sizes are only added when the source is large enough. Upscaling a 32 pixel GIF to 48 can look slightly soft.
Will the colors match the GIF?
Yes. The icon uses the same colors as the GIF frame; nothing is reduced further, because ICO can hold far more than 256 colors.
Is converting GIF to ICO free?
Yes, completely free. There is no account, subscription or watermark; just add your files and convert them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Images are processed in your browser and never leave your device, so the waiting time depends on the file size and your device. EXIF and location data are not added to the output.