Check Website Favicon
What is a Favicon?
A favicon (short for "favorite icon") is a small icon associated with a website or web page. It appears in multiple places across browsers and operating systems, helping users quickly identify and navigate to your site. The favicon is one of the most important branding elements for any website, yet it's often overlooked.
Originally introduced by Internet Explorer 5 in 1999, favicons have evolved from simple 16×16 pixel ICO files to a complex ecosystem of icons serving different purposes across various platforms and devices.
Where Do Favicons Appear?
🌐 Browser Tabs
The most common location. Users with many tabs open rely on favicons to identify websites at a glance. A clear, distinctive favicon improves usability significantly.
⭐ Bookmarks & Favorites
When users bookmark your site, the favicon appears next to the bookmark name. This visual cue helps users find your site quickly in their bookmark lists.
📱 Home Screen (Mobile)
When users add your site to their phone's home screen, Apple Touch Icons (iOS) or Web App Manifest icons (Android) are used as the app icon.
🔍 Search Results
Google and other search engines display favicons next to search results on mobile devices, making your site more recognizable in SERPs.
📊 Browser History
Favicons appear in the browser's history view, helping users identify previously visited pages when looking through their browsing history.
💻 Desktop Shortcuts
When users create desktop shortcuts to your website, the favicon (or a larger version) is used as the shortcut icon.
Recommended Favicon Sizes
| Size | Format | Usage | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16×16 | ICO, PNG | Browser tabs, address bar | Essential |
| 32×32 | ICO, PNG | Taskbar shortcuts (Windows), high-DPI tabs | Essential |
| 48×48 | PNG | Windows site icons | Recommended |
| 180×180 | PNG | Apple Touch Icon (iOS home screen) | Essential |
| 192×192 | PNG | Android Chrome, PWA icon | Essential |
| 512×512 | PNG | PWA splash screens, large displays | Recommended |
| Any | SVG | Modern browsers, infinite scaling | Optional |
Favicon Formats Explained
ICO Format (.ico)
The traditional favicon format, supported by all browsers. ICO files can contain multiple sizes in a single file (multi-resolution), making them versatile. Best for maximum compatibility with older browsers and Windows applications.
- ✅ Universal browser support
- ✅ Multi-size container
- ✅ Windows compatibility
- ❌ Larger file size
PNG Format (.png)
Modern and widely supported. PNG favicons offer transparency, smaller file sizes, and are easier to create. Most modern browsers prefer PNG over ICO when both are available.
- ✅ Transparency support
- ✅ Smaller file size
- ✅ Easy to create/edit
- ❌ One size per file
SVG Format (.svg)
The newest and most flexible format. SVG favicons scale perfectly to any size without quality loss. Ideal for simple icons and logos. Currently supported in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
- ✅ Infinite scaling
- ✅ Tiny file size
- ✅ Dark mode support
- ❌ Limited browser support
How to Add a Favicon to Your Website
Basic Implementation
Add these lines to the <head> section of your HTML:
<!-- Classic favicon -->
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any">
<!-- PNG favicon -->
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png">
<!-- Apple Touch Icon -->
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
<!-- SVG favicon (modern browsers) -->
<link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">For Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
Create a manifest.json file with icon definitions:
{
"icons": [
{ "src": "/icon-192.png", "sizes": "192x192", "type": "image/png" },
{ "src": "/icon-512.png", "sizes": "512x512", "type": "image/png" }
]
}Favicon Best Practices
Keep It Simple
Favicons are tiny. Complex logos with fine details become unrecognizable at 16×16 pixels. Use simple shapes, bold colors, and minimal elements. Often a single letter or symbol works best.
High Contrast
Ensure your favicon stands out against both light and dark browser themes. Test it on different backgrounds. Consider creating separate versions for light and dark modes if using SVG.
Brand Consistency
Your favicon should match your brand identity. Use the same colors and style as your logo. Users should immediately associate the icon with your website.
Test Everywhere
Check your favicon across different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), and display densities (regular and Retina/HiDPI).
Optimize File Size
Favicons load on every page. Keep them small! Compress PNG files and use SVG for scalable icons. A favicon shouldn't exceed 10-20KB total across all sizes.
Use Proper Caching
Set long cache headers for favicon files. When updating, use versioning (?v=2) or a new filename to bust the cache. Browsers aggressively cache favicons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my favicon showing up?
Common reasons include: incorrect file path in the HTML, browser caching (try hard refresh with Ctrl+F5), wrong file format, or the favicon.ico file not being in the root directory. Also check that the file isn't corrupted by opening it directly in your browser.
How do I create a favicon from my logo?
Start with a square version of your logo. Simplify complex details that won't be visible at small sizes. Export at multiple sizes (16, 32, 48, 180, 192, 512 pixels). Use tools like Figma, Photoshop, or free online generators to create the required files.
Do I need all these different sizes?
At minimum, provide a 32×32 PNG or ICO file and a 180×180 Apple Touch Icon. For best results across all platforms, include sizes for browsers (16, 32, 48), Apple (180), and Android/PWA (192, 512).
Can I use an animated favicon?
Technically yes, using animated GIF or APNG formats, but it's generally not recommended. Animated favicons can be distracting and may not work in all browsers. They can also increase page load time and CPU usage.
How do I update my favicon?
Replace the favicon files on your server and clear your browser cache. For stubborn caching issues, rename the file and update the HTML reference, or add a version query string like favicon.ico?v=2.