ICO Image (.ICO)
ICO is an image format used to store icons in Microsoft Windows and for website favicons. A single ICO file can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths, allowing the operating system or browser to select the most appropriate version. ICO files support sizes from 16x16 up to 256x256 pixels with up to 32-bit color depth including alpha transparency.
Advantages of ICO Image
What the ICO format does well, and why you might choose it.
- Can store multiple resolutions and color depths in a single file
- Universal support as favicons in all web browsers
- Native format for Windows application and system icons
Limitations of ICO Image
What the ICOformat doesn't do well, and when to choose another format.
- Limited to relatively small image dimensions (max 256x256)
- Larger file sizes than PNG when embedding multiple resolutions
- Primarily Windows-centric with less relevance on other platforms
What ICO files are used for
- Website favicons displayed in browser tabs and bookmarks
- Windows application and shortcut icons
- Desktop and toolbar icons in Windows environments
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Frequently asked questions about ICO
What is a .ICO file?
ICO is an image format used to store icons in Microsoft Windows and for website favicons. A single ICO file can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths, allowing the operating system or browser to select the most appropriate version. ICO files support sizes from 16x16 up to 256x256 pixels with up to 32-bit color depth including alpha transparency.
What is the MIME type of ICO?
The official MIME type for ICO files is image/x-icon. This is the value web servers and applications use to identify the format when transferring files.
What category does ICO belong to?
ICO is a Image Converter format. Files in this category share common conversion paths and use cases.
How do I open a .ICO file?
ICO files are typically opened by software that natively supports the ICO Imageformat. If you don't have a compatible application, the most reliable approach is to convert the file to a more universal format using the converters listed above. Most ICO Image files convert to widely-supported alternatives in seconds.
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