Favicons: Everything you need to know in 2025

Favicons, small graphical icons representing websites, originated with Internet Explorer 5 and were initially used to track site popularity through download counts. Despite their humble beginnings, they have become essential visual branding tools, appearing on browser tabs, history lists, search results, and bookmarks, helping users quickly identify websites. Typically sized at 16x16 or 32x32 pixels, favicons can be simplified logos, symbols, or characters and are embedded within a website's HTML code in various sizes to accommodate different devices and resolutions. Modern browsers support multiple file formats beyond the original .ico files, including PNGs, to ensure crisp, professional-looking favicons across platforms and devices.