Favicon Sizes Explained

A favicon is no longer a single 16×16 icon. Browsers, mobile home screens and PWA manifests all want different sizes. Here is the short list that covers real usage.

The sizes that matter

• 16×16 and 32×32 — browser tabs, bookmarks and address bar. 32 is the one most desktop browsers actually render.
• 48×48 — some Windows and browser UI contexts.
• 180×180 — the Apple touch icon, used when someone adds your site to the iOS home screen.
• 192×192 and 512×512 — Android and the web app manifest, including the install prompt and splash screen.

Format

Modern browsers accept PNG favicons via <link rel="icon">, so you no longer need a multi-resolution .ico. A 32×32 PNG plus the touch and manifest sizes is enough.

Design tips

Fine detail vanishes at 16 px. Use a bold, simple, high-contrast mark, test it small, and keep some padding. The Favicon Generator produces every size above from one image (or a letter) and gives you the HTML tags to paste in.