Optimizing Favicon for display in Google Search: Best Favicon Size Recommended by Google, Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy

Written By Irfan Hayat

Are you in search of answers to:

What should be the size of a favicon?

How many pixels are ideal for a favicon?

Why isn't my favicon appearing in Google Search results?

This article provides a comprehensive guide on the recommended dimensions for an optimal website favicon. If your favicon isn't visible in Google Search, adhere to the suggested favicon size outlined here. Keep in mind that when you inquire about the "best favicon size" on search engines like Bing and Google or AI chat applications such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT, they often suggest 16 x 16 pixels. However, this information is outdated; while it used to be a standard favicon size a few years ago, it is no longer the case.

→ Watch Video Tutorial below.

If you design a favicon in 16 x 16 px (or 32 x 32 pixels), your website favicon will not display on important places including in Google search results. Get the correct favicon size information below.

Best Favicon Size to show in Google Search: Recommended by Google, Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy

Favicon Size Recommendations by Website Builders

Top website builder platforms recommend following sizes and dimensions for icons.

  • Squarespace recommends that favicon images work best across all browsers when sized between 100x100 px and 300x300 px, though they display at 16px × 16px in browser tab.

  • Just like Google Design, Wix also recommends that favicon should be a multiple of 48px square which means that an ideal favicon can be 48x48, 96x96, 144x144 or 192x192 pixels. It can be different in case of an SVG favicon.

  • GoDaddy recommends that the favicon image should be no more than 180 pixels square in Websites + Marketing website builder.

  • However, for WordPress site, GoDaddy recommends that the favicon image must be at least 512x512 pixels square.

  • Google Material Design favors favicons between 48x48 and 192x192 pixels size dimension, so that it can better scale up and down.

  • Google Search also recommends similar size specs for website icon – check Google reference link below.

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

Why I Created 144x144 Pixel Favicon for Website?

So, how big should favicon be! Here you will find out the best favicon specs and favicon pixel size for website.

I have created website favicon for Dozro website in 144 x 144 px size and PNG format. In my opinion, it the most ideal size for website favicon. The decision is based on following key points.

  • Though in browser toolbar and on search page, browsers still display website favicon in 16x16px size, however, Google Search warns that you must not use the actual website favicon in 16x16 pixels size dimension. It is because larger favicon is required to be displayed in a browser shortcut.

  • In my test on desktop computer (1920x1080 px resolution monitor), Chrome browser displays the YouTube favicon in 24x24 pixels as shortcut icon (watch video) whereas Edge browser displays the same YouTube favicon in 44x44 pixels in Quick Links shortcuts. Please note that these shortcuts appear under search bar on new browser tab. On computer taskbar, favicons of pinned websites display in generally 32x32 pixels.

  • Please remember that Google Search and Wix recommend that website favicon must be a multiple of 48 pixel square. It means browser favicon must be any of 48x48, 96x96, 144x144 or 192x192 pixel sizes. In case of an SVG image, any appropriate favicon dimensions can be used for designing a browser icon.

  • From above example of YouTube favicon, we can infer that, it is quite fine to use a website favicon in 48x48 pixels or 96x96 pixels. However, I prefer a bit larger 144 x 144 px favicon because I am not afraid of any bad impact of favicon on website performance and load time – because a favicon do not affect website speed as demonstrated in our demo video below.

  • This 144x144 px size of browser icon also follow the Squarespace recommendation (between 100x100 px and 300x300 px) for a website favicon.

  • Browser can efficiently scale down the 144x144 px website icon to display at various positions such as browser toolbar, browser shortcuts, and as taskbar icons. It can also display well on retina screens.

  • I do not prefer a 192x192, 256x256, and 512x512 pixel favicon size for website because these unnecessary sizes result in wastage of bytes.

So, the best favicon size is either 48x48, 96x96, 144x144 or 192x192 pixel sizes. Avoid creating a favicon in 16 x 16 px or 32 x 32 pixel size.

Why Favicon is not Showing in Google Search?

If your website favicon is appearing in browser tab but not showing up in Google Search, then:

  • Make sure to use only one favicon per site. Google Search does not support a subdirectory-level home page, for example https://example.com/shop. The home page of your website must be either https://news.example.com or the simple https://example.com.

  • Favicon file must be crawlable by Googlebot-Image and the home page by Googlebot. This condition is introduced in 2024 by Google. In previous documentation, it read “Both the favicon file and the home page must be crawlable by Google”.

  • Favicon must be a multiple of 48 pixel square – it means, favicon size should be 48 x 48 pixel and so on (as I discussed above).

You may check Google Guidelines for Favicon yourself on Google Developers website.

More Resources

Please also check following useful resources.

Irfan Hayat

As the Founder and CEO of DOZRO and various other ventures, I bring a wealth of diverse life experiences to the forefront. At heart, I am a passionate tech enthusiast. Feel free to explore our range of Pro Services, such as website and graphics design, SEO, and video editing, with confidence.

https://www.dozro.com/irfan-hayat
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