Does this create a real .ico file?

No — it generates PNG files at every standard size instead. Every modern browser accepts a PNG favicon referenced with a standard <link rel="icon"> tag, so a true multi-resolution .ico isn't necessary for current browsers.

What sizes do I actually need?

At minimum: a 32×32 for browser tabs, a 180×180 apple-touch-icon for iOS, and a 512×512 for Android/PWA install icons. This tool generates all of those plus a few extras.

Can I use an emoji instead of text?

Yes. Paste a single emoji into the text field instead of letters and it will render the same way.

Is my design uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything is drawn using your browser's Canvas API and the files are generated locally — nothing is sent to a server.

Why do text-based favicons work so well?

At 16×16 pixels, only the boldest shapes survive — a full logo becomes an unreadable smudge. One or two high-contrast characters stay legible at every size, load instantly, and are trivially recognizable in a crowded tab bar. Many major sites use letter-based favicons for exactly this reason.

My new favicon isn't showing — how do I fix it?

Favicons are cached aggressively, sometimes for weeks. First do a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) or open the page in a private window. If the old icon persists, add a version query to the file (favicon-32x32.png?v=2) and update your link tags, and confirm each file is reachable by opening its URL directly.

Do I need a web app manifest for the Android icons?

Only if your site is installable as a progressive web app. The 192×192 and 512×512 PNGs can be referenced from a manifest file so Android uses them for home-screen and splash icons — but the generator doesn't create the manifest itself, so you'd write that small JSON file by hand and link it with <link rel="manifest">.

Favicon Generator

A favicon generator turns up to two characters — your initials, a single letter, or an emoji — into a complete set of favicon files, ready to drop into your site. No image upload, no design software: pick a shape and colors, and the tool draws every size locally in your browser with the Canvas API. This guide covers which sizes you need, design tips for tiny text, and how to install the files.

Text or emoji (max 2 characters) Shape Background color Text color

HTML to add to your <head>

What you get: six PNG sizes

This tool generates six PNG files — one per standard size — plus the HTML snippet that references them. There is no image upload: everything is drawn from your text and color choices.

Size	Used by
`16×16`	Browser tabs — the smallest and most visible favicon
`32×32`	Tabs on high-DPI screens, bookmarks, shortcuts
`48×48`	General-purpose fallback (Windows taskbar, older contexts)
`180×180`	Apple touch icon — iOS home screen and Safari
`192×192`	Android home screen icon
`512×512`	Android splash screens and install prompts

The generated HTML includes four <link> tags — 32×32 and 16×16 PNG icons, the 180×180 apple-touch-icon, and the 192×192 icon. Download each size, upload the files to your site, and paste the snippet into your pages' <head>.

Design tips for a two-character favicon

Keep it to one or two characters. At 16×16 pixels only bold, simple shapes stay readable — your full logo would become a smudge. Initials or a single strong letter work best.
Maximize contrast. White text on a saturated background (or the reverse) stays legible at tiny sizes; low-contrast pairings blur together.
Pick the shape deliberately. Rounded squares read as modern app icons, circles suit single letters and emoji, and sharp squares feel more technical. The tool offers all three.
Test the emoji at 16px. Emoji render through the system font, so they can look slightly different across platforms — check the smallest download before committing.
Match your brand color. The background color picker defaults to a slate blue; set it to your brand's primary color so the tab icon is instantly recognizable.
Check the 16×16 first. Design for the smallest size, not the largest — if the characters are legible at 16 pixels, they'll be legible everywhere else.

How to use it

Type your initials, a single letter, or paste an emoji (max 2 characters).
Pick a shape — square, rounded, or circle — and set the background and text colors.
Download each size you need, upload the files to your site, and paste the generated HTML snippet into your <head>.
Check your work in a private window — if the old icon lingers, it's caching (see the FAQ).

What it generates

Six PNG sizes covering browser tabs (16×16, 32×32), Apple touch icons (180×180), Android/Chrome (192×192, 512×512), and a general-purpose 48×48. Everything is drawn with the HTML5 Canvas API directly in your browser.

Limitations

This produces PNG icons, not a legacy multi-resolution .ico file. If you specifically need a .ico for very old browser support, you'll need to convert one of the PNGs with a separate tool.

Favicon caching: why your new icon doesn't show

Browsers cache favicons aggressively — sometimes for weeks — so a freshly installed icon may not appear immediately. A hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R / Cmd+Shift+R) or a private window usually reveals it. If the old icon persists, rename the files or add a version query string (favicon-32x32.png?v=2) and update the <link> tags to match; that forces every cache layer to fetch the new file.

Frequently asked questions

Does this create a real .ico file?: No — it generates PNG files at every standard size instead. Every modern browser accepts a PNG favicon referenced with a standard <link rel="icon"> tag, so a true multi-resolution .ico isn't necessary for current browsers.
What sizes do I actually need?: At minimum: a 32×32 for browser tabs, a 180×180 apple-touch-icon for iOS, and a 512×512 for Android/PWA install icons. This tool generates all of those plus a few extras.
Can I use an emoji instead of text?: Yes. Paste a single emoji into the text field instead of letters and it will render the same way.
Is my design uploaded anywhere?: No. Everything is drawn using your browser's Canvas API and the files are generated locally — nothing is sent to a server.
Why do text-based favicons work so well?: At 16×16 pixels, only the boldest shapes survive — a full logo becomes an unreadable smudge. One or two high-contrast characters stay legible at every size, load instantly, and are trivially recognizable in a crowded tab bar. Many major sites use letter-based favicons for exactly this reason.
My new favicon isn't showing — how do I fix it?: Favicons are cached aggressively, sometimes for weeks. First do a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) or open the page in a private window. If the old icon persists, add a version query to the file (favicon-32x32.png?v=2) and update your link tags, and confirm each file is reachable by opening its URL directly.
Do I need a web app manifest for the Android icons?: Only if your site is installable as a progressive web app. The 192×192 and 512×512 PNGs can be referenced from a manifest file so Android uses them for home-screen and splash icons — but the generator doesn't create the manifest itself, so you'd write that small JSON file by hand and link it with <link rel="manifest">.