What is a Favicon? Essential Guide to Adding One in 2025

Key highlights 

• Understand what is favicon and how it enhances brand visibility and trust. 
• Learn how to create favicon images using free tools and generators. 
• Discover favicon size requirements and file formats for desktop, mobile and retina displays. 
• Follow step-by-step instructions to add a favicon with WordPress, Bluehost’s AI Website Builder or HTML. 
• Avoid common mistakes and ensure your favicon works across browsers. 

If you’ve ever noticed a tiny icon next to a website name in your browser tab or bookmark bar, you’ve already seen what is favicon in action. Favicons may be small, but they play a big role in how your website looks, feels and builds brand identity. 

According to a Statista report, as of February 2025, 67.9% of the global population are internet users. So, clear, consistent branding now matters more than ever. 

That’s where the favicon comes in. It makes your site stand out in browser tabs, search results and even in Google Chrome mobile bookmarks. 

In this guide, we’ll explain what a favicon is, why it’s important and how to create one using favicon generators, free tools or your own favicon file. We’ll also walk you through how to add a favicon in WordPress, using the Bluehost AI Website Builder or with simple HTML code. 

What is a favicon? 

A favicon is a small icon that appears next to your website’s name in browser tabs, bookmark bars and some search results. It helps users instantly recognize your site when they have multiple tabs open or when your page is saved in a bookmarks list. 

Favicons are usually images in ‘.ico’ or ‘.png’ format designed to match your brand identity, logo or color scheme. You’ve likely seen favicons on tabs in Google Chrome, Firefox or even older platforms like Internet Explorer. 

They appear as shortcut icons in browsers, tab icons in modern browsers or favorite icons on phones’ home screens. Each favicon file is linked to a website using a line of HTML code that tells the web browser which image to display. 

Though small in size, a favicon plays a big role in building user trust, aiding navigation and enhancing instant brand recognition.  

Why does your website need a favicon? 

A website’s favicon purpose is more than just a decorative icon. It builds trust, brand recognition and click-through visibility.  

Here’s why your website needs a favicon: 

• Improves brand recognition 
• Increases credibility 
• Helps users spot your site quickly in search results or browser tabs 

Let’s explore these reasons in more detail: 

1. Improves brand recognition 

Your favicon image makes your site instantly recognizable in browser tabs, mobile bookmarks and the address bar. A well-designed favicon reinforces your brand identity, especially when it matches your company logo or overall web design. Most web users don’t read tab titles; they identify your site by the icon alone. 

2. Increases trust and credibility 

Sites without a favicon often look incomplete or unprofessional. Adding one shows your website is polished and worth visiting.  

This matters for web designers, small businesses and anyone trying to create a trustworthy first impression across different browsers.  

Even a generic icon is better than none, but a branded favicon file stands out in the bookmark bar and browser tabs. 

3. Helps users recognize your site quickly 

On mobile devices, a favicon appears on the app icon or home screen shortcut, depending on the platform.  

In Google search results, favicons also appear next to URLs, helping users pick familiar sites faster, especially on retina screens. Using the right favicon sizes and formats ensures that they display properly on various platforms, browsers and screen resolutions. 

Whether your site is a blog, an HTML website or a WordPress site, your favicon makes it easier for visitors to find you again. 

Want to give your website a professional edge? Add a favicon in minutes using Bluehost’s WonderSuite and WordPress Hosting. Get started with Bluehost.

Where do favicons appear? 

Here are the primary locations where favicons can be found:  

1. Address bar: Some web browsers display the favicon in the address bar, providing a visual confirmation that the user is on the desired website. This can reinforce trust and recognition.  

2. Bookmarks and favorites: When users bookmark or add a website to their favorites list, the favicon is often used as the bookmark’s visual identifier. This assists users in quickly identifying and accessing their preferred sites. 

3. Google listing: Favicons next to a website’s listing in Google’s search results offer users a quick way to recognize brands, differentiate search results and improve the overall search experience. 

4. Browser history: The favicons in your browsing history make it easier to identify websites you’ve previously visited. If you have a long browsing list, an easy-to-recognize favicon is essential to help you find what you need. 

What is favicon size and format? 

You’ll need the right favicon sizes and file types to ensure that your favicon displays correctly across all platforms. 

1. Recommended favicon size requirements 

Different browsers and devices use different favicon sizes, so it’s best to create multiple sizes for compatibility. 

Here are the most commonly used sizes: 

Size (px)	Use case
16×16	Browser tabs and address bar
32×32	Desktop shortcuts and browser bookmarks
48×48	Windows taskbar icons
180×180	Apple touch icon for mobile devices

If you want your favicon image to appear sharp on retina screens, always include the larger versions. 

2. File formats you can use 

The most universal favicon format is ‘.ico’. It’s still required for many browsers, especially older ones like Internet Explorer. 

You can also use: 

• .png format for modern browsers 
• .svg for scalable vector icons 
• .jpg (less common, not recommended) 

A single favicon file in ‘.ico’ format can contain multiple sizes, which helps ensure cross-browser compatibility. 

Many designers export their favicon as ‘.png’ and then convert it into ‘.ico’ files using a favicon generator or online tools. 

How can you create a favicon for your website using free tools? 

You don’t need to be a designer to learn how to create favicon files. With a simple image and free tools, you can design and format a favicon in minutes. 

1. Use a logo or a simple symbol 

Start by choosing a graphic that represents your website or brand identity. This could be your company logo, initials or a single letter. 

Avoid using too much detail, a favicon is a small image, so simple shapes and bold colors work best. 

Your design should still be instantly recognizable at favicon sizes like 16×16 or 32×32 pixels. 

2. Try free favicon generator tools 

Here are a few online tools to help you design and export favicons fast: 

• Favicon.io: Great for text-based favicons and logo uploads 
• Canva: Create custom icons using templates 
• RealFaviconGenerator.net: Outputs multiple sizes in one file 

These tools support ‘.ico’, ‘.png’ and other formats. They’re ideal for web designers, bloggers or anyone using a WordPress site or DIY builder. 

3. Convert to ‘.ico’ format 

After designing your favicon image, you may need to convert it to ‘.ico’ format, especially if you’re supporting older browsers. 

Most favicon generators offer a one-click export to ‘.ico’ files with multiple sizes included. 

Make sure your final favicon file is saved in a single, optimized format and ready for upload. Once your file is ready, you’re one step closer to seeing your tab icon appear in every browser. 

How do you add a favicon to your website? 

Adding a favicon to your website is one of the easiest ways to boost professionalism and improve brand recognition. 

1. Log into your dashboard and go to Appearance. 
2. Click Customize. 
3. Go to Site Identity. 
4. Upload your favicon in the Site Icon section. 
5. Publish your changes. 
6. Confirm it works. 

If you’re using a WordPress website, you can add a favicon file directly through your theme settings.  

Here’s a step-by-step guide using the WordPress Customizer:  

Step 1: Log into your dashboard and go to “Appearance” 

After logging into your WordPress admin panel, click “Appearance” on the left-hand menu. This section manages your website design. 

Step 2: Click “Customize” 

Next, click “Customize” to open the WordPress Customizer, where you can adjust theme settings and visual layout options.  

Step 3: Go to “Site Identity” 

Inside the Customizer, click “Site Identity.” Here, you’ll see options for page title, tagline and your site’s shortcut icon.  

Step 4: Upload your favicon under “Site Icon” 

Scroll to the Site Icon section. Click “Select Site Icon” and upload your favicon image. We recommend using the .ico, .png or .svg format for full compatibility.  

Step 5: Publish your changes 

After uploading your image and cropping if needed, click “Publish” in the top-right corner. This will make your favicon live on your site. 

Step 6: Confirm it works 

Visit your home page in a new browser tab. You should now see your favicon next to your URL in the address bar, confirming it’s working.  

Your favicon will now appear in most modern browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox and others. This is a small but important step in building a complete, recognizable web presence. 

Testing your favicon 

Once uploaded, test how your favicon appears: 

• In a browser tab (desktop + mobile) 
• In bookmarks/favorites 
• In Google search results 
• In incognito mode to check caching 

How to grow your brand with Bluehost? 

Creating and uploading a favicon should be simple and that’s exactly what we deliver with WonderSuite, our intuitive, no-code website solution.  

WonderSuite helps you grow your brand, build faster and stand out online, without needing technical skills. 

1. Build faster with no-code tools 

With WonderTheme, you get professionally designed templates. You can easily customize pages using WonderBlocks, our drag-and-drop builder that lets you adjust layouts, sections and styles in minutes. 

2. Launch a professional brand identity 

Easily upload your favicon.ico, .png or .svg file through the Customizer or place it in your site’s root directory. Bluehost supports retina-friendly sizes like 180×180 pixels, so your favicon looks sharp across modern devices and high-resolution screens. Manage your favicon image, page title and tab icon, all from one central dashboard. 

3. Sell online with eCommerce-ready tools 

WonderCart helps you create and launch a full-featured online store in minutes. You can manage products, run promotions and deliver a smooth shopping experience. 

4. Get expert help anytime 

Need assistance? WonderHelp, our AI-powered guide, is built into your WordPress dashboard. Just type your question and get instant, step-by-step solutions. 

5. Optimize for every browser and device 

Your favicon appears in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results across all major browsers and mobile devices. Combined with Bluehost’s 99.99% uptime, built-in caching and CDN integration, your brand loads fast and stays visible anywhere, anytime. 

With Bluehost and WonderSuite, you can launch a stunning site, strengthen your brand identity and ensure your presence is optimized across devices and platforms. 

Final thoughts 

Understanding what is favicon is just the start. Now, it’s time to add one to your website and boost your brand’s visibility. A favicon appears in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results, helping your site stand out on modern browsers and mobile devices. 

At Bluehost, you can upload a favicon effortlessly. Whether you’re using WordPress hosting or our AI Website Builder, WonderSuite, setup takes just a few minutes. We also offer 24/7 customer support if you need help with favicon size requirements or image formatting. 

Launch your site with Bluehost WonderSuite, add your custom favicon today and build a brand users recognize instantly. 

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