With so many devices, browsers, and platforms, favicon sizes can be confusing. Do you need 6 different files? Or can you get away with just one? This guide cuts through the noise.

The Complete Favicon Size Table

SizeFileUsed ByRequired?
16×16favicon-16x16.pngBrowser tabs (standard screens)Recommended
32×32favicon-32x32.pngBrowser tabs (Retina/HiDPI), taskbarYes
48×48favicon.ico (multi-size)Windows desktop shortcutOptional
180×180apple-touch-icon.pngiOS home screen (iPhone/iPad)Yes
192×192android-chrome-192x192.pngAndroid home screen, PWA iconRecommended
512×512android-chrome-512x512.pngPWA splash screen, app storesRecommended

The Minimal Setup (3 Files)

If you want to keep things simple, these 3 files cover 99% of real-world scenarios:

  1. favicon.ico (32×32) — The universal fallback. Every browser supports it.
  2. apple-touch-icon.png (180×180) — For iOS devices and some Android launchers.
  3. site.webmanifest — Points to your 192×192 and 512×512 icons for PWA support.
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
<link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest">

Tip: Modern browsers actually prefer PNG over ICO. If you include a 32×32 PNG alongside the ICO, modern browsers will use the PNG for crisper rendering.

The Full Setup (6 Files)

For the best experience across all platforms:

<link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/favicon.ico">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
<link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest">
<meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff">

Why Not Just Use One Large Image?

A common mistake is providing only a 512×512 icon and expecting browsers to scale it down. Here's why that's problematic:

Generate All Sizes from One Image

The good news: you don't need to manually create each size. Use the Image to Favicon tool on Mzu favicondl to upload one high-resolution image and automatically generate all the sizes listed above, packaged in a ready-to-use ZIP file.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

PlatformSize NeededFormat
Chrome/Firefox/Edge tab32×32PNG or ICO
Safari tab32×32PNG or ICO
Google Search results≥48×48 (multiples of 48)Any
iPhone/iPad home screen180×180PNG
Android home screen192×192PNG
Windows taskbar32×32ICO
macOS Dock (PWA)512×512PNG