ICO Unpacker
Upload any .ico file and instantly extract all resolution layers. Preview each layer, then download as PNG or BMP — right in your browser, no upload to server.
Unpack
What Is an ICO File?
An ICO file is a container format that stores one or more images at different sizes and color depths. Windows uses ICO files for application icons, cursors, and favicons.
Each ICO can contain multiple layers — for example, 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 256×256 — so the OS can pick the best size for any context.
ICO vs PNG
| ICO | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Container (multiple images) | Single image |
| Use case | App icons, favicons | Photos, graphics, web |
| Transparency | Yes (alpha or AND mask) | Yes (alpha channel) |
| Browser support | As favicon | Universal |
ICO files often embed PNG data internally for larger sizes (48×48+), while smaller sizes may use the legacy BMP/DIB format.
Common Use Cases
- Extract favicon images — Download individual layers from a website's
favicon.ico - Recover app icons — Get the highest-resolution icon from any application's
.icofile - Convert ICO to PNG — Turn icon layers into standard PNG images for web use
- Inspect icon contents — See all sizes, bit depths, and formats inside an ICO
FAQ
Is my file uploaded to a server? No. Everything runs in your browser. The ICO file is parsed locally using JavaScript — nothing leaves your device.
What image formats does the ICO Unpacker support? It handles both PNG-embedded layers and legacy BMP/DIB layers found in ICO files. You can download any layer as PNG or BMP.
Why does my ICO file show different bit depths for different layers? ICO files can mix formats. Older icons use BMP/DIB with various bit depths (1-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit), while modern icons often embed PNG data. The Unpacker shows the original format of each layer.
Can I download all layers at once? You can select the layers you want and download each one individually as PNG or BMP.