Convert GIF to ICO
Turn GIF images into ICO icons for favicons and Windows. Everything happens in your browser, so your images never leave your device.
Why convert GIF to ICO?
GIF's 256-colour limit and heavy animated files make it a poor fit for anything beyond simple graphics and short loops. ICO is the format browsers look for at /favicon.ico and the one Windows uses for app and shortcut icons.
Transparency is kept
Both GIF and ICO support transparency, so transparent areas carry over without a fill colour.
Animated GIF files
If your GIF is animated, only the first frame is converted and you get a still ICO. Non-animated GIF files convert as normal.
Favicons and Windows icons
Browsers still request /favicon.ico from websites, and Windows uses ICO for application and shortcut icons. Icons are square and the ICO format tops out at 256 × 256 pixels, so a square, simple GIF works best; fine detail disappears at 16 × 16.
GIF and ICO compared
| Property | GIF | ICO |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless, 256 colours | Lossless |
| Transparency | On/off only | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | No |
| Typical file size | Small for simple graphics; large for animations | Tiny |
| Best for | Short animations, simple graphics | Favicons, Windows icons |
| Support | Universal | Browsers (favicons), Windows |
Questions
Can I convert an animated GIF?
Yes, but only the first frame is kept, so you get a still ICO.
Will converting GIF to ICO reduce quality?
ICO stores icons losslessly, but the format tops out at 256 × 256 pixels, so start from a square GIF at that size or below and keep the design simple enough to read at 16 × 16.
Are my GIF images uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, on your own device, so your images are never sent to a server. Once the page and converter have loaded, it keeps working even if your connection drops.