Windows Icon Sizes (Complete Guide)
Windows requests different icon resolutions for different surfaces: 16×16 for the title bar, 32×32 for the desktop, 48×48 for File Explorer at large icons, and 256×256 for the Start menu. A single multi-size .ico covers all of them.
The official Microsoft recommendation is to bundle 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 128, and 256 inside one .ico file. The OS picks the right size at runtime.
256×256 should be PNG-compressed inside the .ico — uncompressed BMP at that size produces an unnecessarily large file.
How it works
- 1
Upload a 512×512+ source
PNG or SVG works.
- 2
Pick sizes: 16, 32, 48, 64, 128, 256
Our generator bundles them with optimal compression.
- 3
Download the .ico
Ready for Windows shortcuts, installers, and File Explorer.
Try it now
Generate a Windows-ready .ico
PNG to ICO ConverterFAQ
What's the largest icon Windows uses?+
256×256. It's used for the Start menu and Jump List previews.
Do I need all sizes?+
Ship at least 16, 32, 48, and 256. The other sizes are nice-to-have.
Why is my .ico file so large?+
Use PNG compression for the 128 and 256 entries. Our generator does this automatically.