Complete Favicon Size Guide: ICO, 16x16, 32x32, Apple Touch Icon & Web Manifest
The exact HTML link tags, manifest.json configuration, and pixel sizes (16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 180x180, 192x192, 512x512) needed for crisp favicons across Chrome, Safari iOS, Android, and Google Search results.
A missing or blurry favicon makes a production web application look unfinished in browser tabs, bookmarks, iOS home screens, and Google Search snippets. Instead of creating 25 obsolete icon sizes from 2012, modern web applications need a focused set of 5 standard icon dimensions.
1. Essential Favicon Dimensions Matrix
| Filename | Dimensions | Where It Is Used |
|---|---|---|
| favicon-16x16.png | 16 × 16 px | Standard 1x desktop browser tabs & bookmark bars |
| favicon-32x32.png | 32 × 32 px | Retina (2x) desktop browser tabs & taskbar shortcuts |
| favicon-48x48.png | 48 × 48 px | Google Search mobile & desktop result snippet icons |
| apple-touch-icon.png | 180 × 180 px | iPhone & iPad "Add to Home Screen" & Safari Favorites |
| icon-192.png & icon-512.png | 192×192 & 512×512 px | Android PWA install launcher & splash screen via manifest.json |
2. Production HTML Head Snippet
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png" />
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest" />Start with a square 512×512 logo (or pad a rectangular logo into a 1:1 square using the Square Image Maker) and export all standard sizes at once in the Favicon Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What favicon size does Google Search require to show my site icon in search results?
Google Search requires a favicon that is a multiple of 48px square (such as 48×48, 96×96, or 144×144) or a scalable SVG/ICO, referenced via <link rel="icon"> in the head of your home page and crawlable by Googlebot.
Why does my favicon look blurry on MacBook Retina displays?
Providing only a 16×16 pixel icon forces 2x High-DPI displays to upscale the bitmap. Always include a 32×32 PNG and 180×180 Apple Touch Icon alongside your 16×16 icon.