Favicon Definition
A favicon (short for "favorite icon") is a small, iconic image that represents your website. It appears in multiple locations:
Browser Tabs
Next to your page title
Bookmark Lists
Favorites bars and bookmark folders
Browser History
Navigation history
Mobile Home Screens
When saved as a shortcut
PWA Icons
Progressive Web App icons
Search Results
In some search engines
Why Every Website Needs a Favicon
Favicons are crucial for several reasons:
Brand Recognition
A well-designed favicon helps users instantly identify your website among dozens of open tabs. It's a micro-branding opportunity that reinforces your visual identity.
Professional Appearance
Websites without favicons display a default browser icon, which looks unprofessional and amateur. A custom favicon shows attention to detail and professionalism.
Improved User Experience
When users have multiple tabs open, favicons help them quickly locate your site. This reduces friction and improves navigation efficiency.
Bookmarking Enhancement
Users who bookmark your site will see your favicon in their favorites bar, making it easier to recognize and return to your website.
Favicon Sizes and Formats
Modern favicons require multiple sizes to display correctly across different devices and contexts:
Standard Favicon Sizes:
Common Favicon Formats
Traditional Format
Supports multiple sizes in one file
Modern Format
Supports transparency
Scalable Vector
Not universally supported
History of Favicons
Favicons were introduced by Microsoft in Internet Explorer 5 in 1999. Originally, they were simple 16x16 .ico files. Over time, as devices diversified, the requirements expanded to include larger sizes and additional formats.
Modern Favicon Requirements
Today's websites need a comprehensive set of favicon files to support all devices:
Web Browsers
Apple iOS
Android
PWA & Windows
How to Create a Favicon
Creating favicons used to be a complex process requiring manual resizing and format conversion. Today, you can use our Favicon Generator to:
Upload your logo or icon
PNG recommended, 512x512+ pixels
Generate all required sizes automatically
All formats and sizes in seconds
Download a complete package with HTML code
Ready-to-use implementation files
Implement in minutes with copy-paste code
No technical knowledge required
Quick Tip
For best results, start with a square image at least 512x512 pixels with a transparent background. This ensures your favicon looks crisp at all sizes.
Generate Your Favicon