Favicon Maker Tool
In the digital realm, where branding and user experience play pivotal roles, a favicon (short for "favorite icon") serves as a tiny but significant ambassador of a website's identity. This small, iconic image is displayed in the browser's address bar, on the tab of a website, and in the list of bookmarks, acting as a visual cue that helps users locate and identify websites swiftly. Favicons not only enhance the professionalism of a website but also contribute to the overall user experience by making navigation through multiple open tabs easier and more intuitive.
So, this is my favicon maker tool. In other words, simple javascript drawing program for 16x16, 32x32 or 64x64 pixel art.
Quick instructions how to use the tool:
Preview:
- Left mouse button will draw.
- Right mouse button will erase.
- Choose resolution: 16x16 for retro style, or 32x32 and 64x64 for more modern style favicon.
- Choose color with included "Pickr" plugin with full transparency support.
- Preview windows show real time 16x16, 32x32 and 64x64 image.
- Download image in .png format either in original size of 448x448, or 16x16, 32x32 or 64x64 resolution.
- Save your work by downloading your image, and uploading it back to the tool.
- Grid and background color are only for reference, these are not included in the downloaded image.
- You can also upload your own images and modify them to be used as favicons. Please mind the resolution.
Upload image:
What is a Favicon?
A favicon is a small graphic image (icon) associated with a particular website or web page. Although its dimensions have evolved over time, the standard size is 16x16 pixels, scaled to suit modern requirements, such as 32x32 or 64x64 pixels for high-resolution displays. The format of a favicon has also diversified, originally being an ICO file, it now encompasses PNG, GIF, and SVG formats to support transparency and a broader color palette.
The primary function of a favicon is to improve user experience and website branding. When a user has multiple tabs open in a browser, a distinct favicon helps them identify and switch to your website quickly. It is also crucial for the branding of a website, providing a visual representation that users can associate with your content or services. Additionally, favicons are used in bookmarks, enhancing the visual appeal and recognizability of websites in a user's favorites list.
Favicon History
The concept of the favicon was introduced by Microsoft with the release of Internet Explorer 5 in 1999. This initial step allowed website creators to add a small icon to their site, which would be displayed in the browser's address bar and bookmarks. The idea quickly caught on, and soon after, other browsers adopted the concept, making it a standard practice in web design. Over the years, the implementation and capabilities of favicons have evolved, with advancements in web technology allowing for more detailed and versatile icons.
Creating a favicon involves designing a small and recognizable image that represents your website. Tools ranging from professional graphic design software to online favicon generators can be utilized for this purpose. Once created, the favicon is typically added to the root directory of the website. Web developers include a link to the favicon file in the HTML code of each web page, using the link-tag within the head-section, to ensure it appears in browsers as intended.
Favicons may be small in size, but their impact on branding and user experience is substantial. By providing a visual identity for websites in browser tabs, bookmarks, and history lists, small favicons play a huge role in how users interact with and remember websites. From its inception in the late '90s to its current status as a fundamental element of web design, the favicon has become an indispensable tool for web developers and designers aiming to create memorable websites and efficient online experiences.