Best Format for a Favicon Image: ICO, PNG, JPG, or SVG?

Browser support various file formats for creating favicons. You can create favicon in ICO, PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, and SVG format.

Most Popular Favicon Formats

However, the most used favicon format on websites are ICO, PNG, JPG. Please note that ICO format was popular only in the age of earlier browser versions such as Internet Explorer. ICO format is not commonly used nowadays. → Watch Video Tutorial below.

SVG and WebP are the least used favicon formats - though gaining adoption.

SVG Format for Favicon

SVG format can scale (resize) up and down without loss in image quality. Through capability of embedded CSS, an SVG favicon can easily adapt to either light or dark theme selected by user in browser. [RD]

Microsoft also recommends SVG format for website icons.

However, if using bitmap images, Microsoft also recommends PNG, GIF or JPEG formats for icons.

Favicon Format Used on Some Top Websites

I have personally checked the favicon format used on the following popular website.

• YouTube - It uses PNG format.

• Google Meet - PNG

• Wikipedia - PNG

• Squarespace - PNG

• Google - PNG

• Bing - PNG image format for favicon

• Netflix - PNG

• Wix - PNG

So, image format for favicon of all above sites is PNG.

Dozro Services: Check Price for Creation of Favicon, Brand Minimalist Logo, and Small Business Website.

What is the Best Favicon Format?

In my opinion, SVG is a great option but not all browsers or platforms may support it.

For example, Squarespace does not support SVG image format. So, I will prefer PNG format as the second priority.

I have created Favicon image for this Dozro website in PNG format.

More Resources

Please also check following useful resources.

• Favicon Display Locations: Where Does Website Favicon Appear other than browser tab.

• Favicon – why it Loads late? Do Favicon Affect SEO?

• Favicon Ideal Size – the Best Size for a Website Favicon.

• Tips for Designing an Awesome and Highly Visible Favicon.

• Examples of Best Favicon Designs.

• FAVICON Design Ideas and Examples.

• Check our Charges for Designing a Custom Favicon for your Website.

• What is the best size for a website logo?

• Guidance about designing an ideal logo for your website.

• Optimal Favicon Size for display in Google Search.

• Check our guide for optimal Facebook cover size.

• Learn more Website Creation and Web Design Tips.

• Discover Dozro Services or check out the Home page of our website for additional learning resources.