Convert GIF to ICO
GIF is an older format limited to 256 colors, still popular for simple graphics and icons. ICO is the container Windows and browsers require for favicons and application icons, so this conversion is about producing that specific file type rather than about quality or size. The conversion runs entirely in your browser: there is no upload, no file size limit and no watermark on the result.
Drop your GIF files below and download ICO in seconds. Free, unlimited and completely private: the conversion runs inside your browser, so your files never leave your device and are never uploaded to a server.
No upload. Works with your network switched off. Check it yourself, or read what actually happens to your file.
Why convert GIF to ICO?
GIF dates back to 1987 and is limited to a 256 color palette, which shows in photos but is fine for flat graphics. It remains everywhere thanks to animation support and universal compatibility. For still images, PNG or WebP almost always produce better quality at a smaller size.
ICO files bundle one or more icon sizes into a single file that Windows and browsers use for favicons and app icons. Regular image viewers often refuse to open them, and most editors cannot save them, so a converter is the practical way in or out of the format.
GIF vs ICO at a glance
| GIF | ICO | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graphics Interchange Format | Windows icon |
| Compression | Lossless, 256 colors | Contains PNG or BMP data |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Simple animations, icons and flat graphics | Favicons and Windows application icons |
What changes when you convert GIF to ICO
| What happens | |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Depends on the quality setting above, which controls how much detail ICO keeps. |
| Transparency | Kept. ICO stores an alpha channel, so cut-out backgrounds and soft edges survive. |
| EXIF and GPS | Removed. The conversion goes through a pixel buffer, so camera data and location are not carried into the ICO file. |
| Colour profile | Not carried across. The image is handled in sRGB, which is right for the web and wrong for colour-managed print work. |
| Animation | Not preserved. An animated GIF produces a single still frame. |
| File size | Varies with the content of the image. No figure is quoted here, because none has been measured on a documented test set. |
How to convert GIF to ICO
- Drop one or more GIF files into the box above, or click to browse.
- ImageConvert converts each file to ICO right on your device.
- Download a single file, or grab everything at once as a zip.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GIF file?
GIF is an older format limited to 256 colors, still popular for simple graphics and icons.
What is an ICO file?
ICO is the Windows icon format, used for favicons and application icons.
Is it free to convert GIF to ICO?
Yes. There are no limits, no watermarks and no account needed. Convert as many GIF files as you like.
Are my files private?
Completely. Your GIF files never leave your browser and are never uploaded to a server, so your images stay on your device.