Convert SVG to ICO Online
Create Windows icons from your SVG vector graphics with our SVG to ICO converter. SVG is the ideal source format for icons—its perfect scalability ensures crisp rendering at any size, and the vector artwork translates beautifully to ICO format for Windows applications, favicons, and system icons.
Our converter renders your SVG at optimal resolutions for the ICO format, preserving the sharp edges and smooth curves that make vector graphics ideal for icon design. The transparency in your SVG is maintained in the resulting icon.
Why SVG is Perfect for Icons
SVG vector graphics scale infinitely without quality loss, making them ideal for icon design where the same graphic must display clearly at sizes from 16x16 to 256x256 pixels. Designers typically create icons in vector format, then export to ICO for Windows use. This converter streamlines that workflow.
Unlike raster sources that may need upscaling (causing blur), SVG renders perfectly at any target resolution. The resulting ICO file displays crisply at every Windows icon size.
Common Use Cases
- Application icons — Windows executable and shortcut icons
- Website favicons — browser tab and bookmark icons
- Desktop shortcuts — custom folder and file icons
- Software branding — converting logo SVGs to Windows format
Icon Design Tips
For best results, design your SVG with icon use in mind. Use simple shapes and clear forms that remain recognizable at small sizes. Avoid fine details that disappear at 16x16 pixels. Test your design at multiple sizes before converting to ensure it works across all icon contexts.
Use bold colors with good contrast against both light and dark backgrounds. Windows displays icons in various contexts with different background colors. Test your icon against typical desktop and taskbar colors to ensure visibility and recognizability.
How the Conversion Works
Converting SVG to ICO involves rendering the vector graphics at multiple standard icon sizes (16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 256x256) and packaging them into a single ICO container. Windows automatically selects the appropriate resolution based on display context and DPI settings.
The SVG's vector precision is captured at each target resolution, producing crisp icons at every size. Transparency is fully preserved through ICO's alpha channel support, allowing your icons to display cleanly against any background.
Multi-Resolution ICO Files
Professional ICO files contain multiple resolutions to ensure crisp display at any size. Windows automatically selects the appropriate resolution based on context: 16x16 for taskbar and menus, 32x32 for desktop shortcuts, 48x48 for large icons view, and 256x256 for Windows Vista and later extra-large icons. Including all sizes ensures your icon looks sharp everywhere.
Smaller sizes (16x16, 24x24) often need simplified artwork compared to larger versions. Fine details visible at 256x256 may become indistinguishable blobs at 16x16. Professional icon designers create separate optimized artwork for each size rather than simply scaling one design.
SVG Compatibility Considerations
Not all SVG features render identically in ICO conversion. Complex filters, advanced gradients, and text elements may appear differently when rasterized. For best results, convert text to paths and test complex effects before conversion. Simple shapes, solid colors, and basic gradients convert most reliably.
SVG viewBox and dimensions affect the conversion result. Ensure your SVG has a square viewBox (equal width and height) for best icon results. Non-square SVGs will be fitted into a square canvas, potentially adding empty space or cropping content.
Related Tools
- ICO to SVG — trace icons to vector format
- PNG to ICO — create icons from PNG
- SVG to PNG — rasterize for web use