Convert ICO to SVG
About ICO
The ICO (Icon) file format is used for computer icons in Microsoft Windows. An ICO file contains one or more small images at multiple sizes and color depths, allowing them to be scaled appropriately. The most common use for ICO files on the web is for 'favicons', the small icon displayed in a browser's tab.
About SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a unique image format because it is not based on pixels like JPEG or PNG. Instead, it's an XML-based vector format that describes images with shapes, paths, and text. This means SVGs can be scaled to any size without losing quality. They are ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations on the web, and can be manipulated with code (CSS and JavaScript).
ICO vs SVG
| Feature | ICO | SVG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | uncompressed or PNG compressed | text-based (XML) |
| Transparency | true | true |
| Animation | false | true |
| Quality Rating | 3 | 5 |
| Patent Status | royalty-free | royalty-free |
| Year Introduced | 1985 | 2001 |
| Developed By | Microsoft | W3C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PNG for a favicon instead of an ICO?
Yes, modern browsers have excellent support for using PNG files as favicons. You can simply link to a .png file in your HTML header. However, the .ico format can still be useful as it can contain multiple icon sizes in a single file, which some browsers and platforms use in different contexts (like bookmarks or desktop shortcuts).
What's the maximum size for an ICO file?
While historically icons were very small (16x16 or 32x32 pixels), the ICO format can technically support icons up to 256x256 pixels. This allows for high-resolution icons on modern displays.
Can I use SVG for a photograph?
No, SVG is not suitable for photographs. The complexity and color detail of a photograph would result in an enormous and highly complex SVG file. SVGs are designed for graphics with defined shapes and colors, like logos and diagrams. For photos, use raster formats like JPEG or WebP.
Are SVGs better than icon fonts?
SVGs are now generally considered the superior choice for icons. They offer better accessibility, are more semantic, and provide more control over styling and animation compared to icon fonts, which are a bit of a hack using font features to display symbols.
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