BMP to ICO Converter
Convert BMP to ICO free — no upload, no signup
To convert BMP to ICO, drop your BMP images into the box below, click Convert, then Download. Fylo does the work inside your browser, so nothing is uploaded and there's no signup or watermark. Turn a bitmap into a proper multi-size Windows icon.
Drop images here
or tap to browse · paste with Ctrl+V · add many at once
Your files never leave your device
Advanced
Non-square images are centred on a transparent square, so nothing is cropped.
How to convert BMP to ICO
Add your BMP files
Drag and drop BMP files into the box, tap to choose them, or paste with Ctrl+V. You can add many at once.
Pick icon sizes
Keep the default 16, 32, 48 and 256-pixel sizes, or choose your own under Advanced.
Convert and download
Click Convert, then download each ICO or get them all in one ZIP.
Why convert BMP to ICO?
Windows icons were historically built from bitmaps, so BMP artwork is a natural source for ICO files used on shortcuts, folders and installers.
Does converting BMP to ICO affect quality or size?
Fylo scales your bitmap into each selected icon size and saves them inside one ICO. 24-bit BMPs have no transparency, so the icon keeps the BMP's background; use a PNG source if you need transparent corners.
What's the difference between BMP and ICO?
BMP is Microsoft's uncompressed bitmap format. It's simple and lossless but huge: every pixel is stored raw, so a 12-megapixel photo takes about 36 MB.
ICO is the Windows icon format and the classic favicon.ico. One ICO file holds several square images (16 to 256 px) so each screen can use the sharpest size.
Learn more: BMP format guide · ICO format guide
| Property | BMP | ICO |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Usually none (optional RLE) | PNG or uncompressed bitmap entries |
| Transparency | Rarely (32-bit only) | Yes |
| Animation | No | No |
| Colour depth | 1 to 32-bit | Up to 32-bit + alpha |
| Typical size, 12 MP photo | ≈ 36 MB | Max 256 × 256 px |
| Support | Windows, most editors, all major browsers | All browsers (favicons), Windows |
| Best for | Legacy Windows software, embedded displays | Favicons, Windows app and shortcut icons |
| Introduced | 1985 | 1985 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the ICO for a Windows shortcut?
Yes. Right-click the shortcut, choose Properties → Change Icon, then browse to the .ico file.
Why should an ICO contain several sizes?
Windows picks the best size for each view — small icons in lists, large ones on the desktop. Including several avoids blurry scaling.
Are my BMP files uploaded to a server?
No. Fylo converts BMP to ICO entirely inside your browser using a background Web Worker, so your files never leave your device. That's also why it's fast — there's no upload or download wait.
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