GIF to ICO Converter

Convert GIF files to ICO online, for free, with nothing to install.

To convert GIF to ICO, select or drop your .gif picture above, check that ICO is chosen as the output, and click Convert. Files up to 200 MB are converted right in your browser, so they never leave your device.

What is a GIF file?

GIF – GIF image. GIF is the classic format for short looping animations and simple graphics. A GIF picture has at most 256 colors, so photographs look grainy in it.

GIF Converter →

What is an ICO file?

ICO – Windows icon. ICO is the Windows icon format. One file holds the same picture in several sizes, each at most 256 × 256 pixels; browsers also use it for the small icon on a tab (the favicon).

ICO Converter →

How to convert GIF to ICO

  1. Click Select File, or drop your .gif files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
  2. Check that ICO is chosen as the output format. On this page it is picked for you.
  3. Click Convert. When a file has to go to our server, the button says Upload and convert instead.
  4. Click Download next to each file when it's done.

GIF vs ICO: how they compare

GIFICO
CompressionLossless (LZW), 256 colorsBitmap or PNG
TransparencyOn or offYes
AnimationYesNo
Created byCompuServe, 1987Microsoft
Best forShort animations and simple graphicsWindows icons and website favicons

Good to know

  • Icons are small: the picture is shrunk to fit 32 × 32 pixels unless you choose another size in Options (up to 256 × 256).
  • Only the first frame of the animated GIF is converted, because ICO holds a single picture.
  • Tick Remove metadata in Options to leave out information stored in the picture, such as the camera and the place.

Frequently asked questions

Is converting GIF to ICO free?

Yes. Everyone gets 25 free credits a day, with no account needed. Conversions on our server use one credit per started minute of work, so most cost a single credit. Credits reset at midnight UTC.

Are my GIF pictures uploaded anywhere?

Pictures up to 200 MB never leave your device: ConvertKitty converts them inside your browser, with ImageMagick compiled to WebAssembly. Only larger files, or formats your browser cannot handle (camera RAW, PostScript, XPS, LibreOffice and Publisher files, and video or audio), are sent to our server, over an encrypted connection, and deleted 72 hours after the conversion. The button says "Upload and convert" whenever that happens.

How large can the GIF file be?

Files up to 200 MB are converted right in your browser. Larger files, up to 1 GB, are converted on our server.

Can I change the size or quality of the ICO?

Yes. Click Options next to the file to set a width and height, choose a quality, remove metadata and more. Only the settings that make sense for GIF to ICO are shown.

Can I convert several GIF files at once?

Yes. Add as many files as you like; they are converted one after another, and each one gets its own Download button.

Convert GIF to other formats

Convert other pictures to ICO

All image formats

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