Icon & Favicon Guides
Short, practical articles that answer the questions people ask most about icons and favicons — updated for 2026.
What is an ICO file? The icon format explained
How the .ico format works, why one file holds many sizes, PNG vs BMP entries, and where ICO files are still required in 2026.
Favicon sizes guide (2026): which files you actually need
The minimal modern favicon set: favicon.ico, 32 px PNG, SVG, 180 px Apple touch icon and 192/512 px manifest icons — with the exact HTML.
How to add a favicon to your website (HTML, WordPress, React, Next.js)
Step-by-step instructions to add a favicon to a plain HTML site, WordPress, Vite/React, Next.js and static hosts like GitHub Pages.
Windows icon sizes explained (16 to 256 px)
Which icon sizes Windows 10 and 11 use for the taskbar, Explorer, desktop and Start menu, how DPI scaling changes them, and what to put in your .ico.
ICO vs PNG: differences and when to use each
ICO is a container of several images, PNG is a single image. Compare transparency, file size, browser and Windows support, and pick the right one.
How to change a folder, shortcut or app icon in Windows 11
Use your own .ico for folders, desktop shortcuts and drives in Windows 10/11, fix icons that do not refresh, and set icons for your own apps.
Apple touch icon guide: size, transparency and HTML
Why one 180×180 PNG is enough for iPhone and iPad home screens, how to avoid black corners, and the correct <link rel="apple-touch-icon"> tag.
Web app manifest icons: 192, 512 and maskable explained
How the icons array in site.webmanifest works, the 192/512 px rule, maskable icons and safe zones, and how to test your PWA install icon.
Designing icons that stay sharp at 16×16
Practical rules for tiny icons: simplify, use bold shapes and strong contrast, align to the pixel grid, and test at actual size.
Favicon not showing? 10 fixes for Chrome, Safari & Google
Cache, wrong paths, MIME types, redirects, robots rules and Google Search favicon requirements — a checklist to get your favicon to appear.