Favicon: .ico or .png / correct tags?
Categories:
Favicon Best Practices: .ico vs .png and Correct HTML Tags
Explore the best practices for implementing favicons, comparing the traditional .ico format with modern .png, and ensuring correct HTML tag usage for optimal browser compatibility and display.
A favicon (short for 'favorite icon') is a small icon displayed in the browser tab, bookmarks bar, and other places to represent a website. While seemingly minor, a well-implemented favicon enhances brand recognition and user experience. Historically, the .ico format was the standard, but with evolving web technologies, .png has emerged as a strong contender. This article delves into the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how to properly implement them using HTML tags.
The Traditional .ico Favicon
The .ico format has been the default for favicons since Internet Explorer 5. It's a container for multiple images of different sizes and color depths, allowing browsers to pick the most appropriate one. This multi-resolution capability was crucial in the early days of the web to support various display scenarios. Despite its age, .ico remains widely supported across all browsers, making it a safe choice for basic favicon implementation.
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
The most common HTML tag for linking an .ico favicon.
.ico supports multiple sizes, it's often simpler to provide a single 16x16 or 32x32 pixel image within the .ico file for basic usage.The Modern .png Favicon
The .png format offers several advantages over .ico, including better compression, support for alpha transparency (smoother edges), and a wider color palette. Modern browsers have excellent support for .png favicons, and it's often preferred for its flexibility and quality. However, to achieve full compatibility across all devices and platforms (especially older browsers and specific mobile platforms), you might need to provide multiple .png files at different sizes and link them using specific rel attributes.
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
<link rel="mask-icon" href="/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#5bbad5">
Example of linking multiple .png favicons for different sizes and specific platforms like Apple devices and Safari pinned tabs.
Comparison of .ico vs .png for Favicons
Choosing the Right Format and Tags
For maximum compatibility and the best user experience, a hybrid approach is often recommended. This involves using a basic .ico for legacy support and a set of .png favicons for modern browsers and specific devices. The order of these tags in the <head> section can sometimes matter, with more specific or larger icons often placed after the general ones. Always test your favicon implementation across various browsers and devices to ensure consistent display.
1. Step 1
Create your favicon designs in various sizes (e.g., 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 180x180 for Apple Touch).
2. Step 2
Generate an .ico file containing common sizes (e.g., 16x16 and 32x32) using an online favicon generator or image editor.
3. Step 3
Save individual .png files for specific sizes and purposes (e.g., favicon-16x16.png, apple-touch-icon.png).
4. Step 4
Place all favicon files in the root directory of your website or in a dedicated /images or /assets folder.
5. Step 5
Add the appropriate <link> tags to the <head> section of your HTML, starting with the .ico and then adding .png and platform-specific tags.
6. Step 6
Clear your browser cache and test your website on different browsers and devices to verify the favicon display.
<link> tags for favicons as it can slightly impact page load performance. Prioritize the most critical sizes and formats.