Best Favicon Format for Google
The best format for a favicon in Google Search is PNG or ICO. SVG has limited support. Here’s what each format does and when to use it.
Recommended: PNG
PNG is the best favicon format for most sites: it supports transparency, scales well, and is fully supported by Google Search. Use at least 48×48 pixels (96×96 or 192×192 for high-DPI).
- Transparency support
- Wide browser and search support
- Good quality at small sizes
Legacy: ICO
ICO is the traditional favicon format. Google Search supports it. ICO can contain multiple sizes in one file. PNG is still preferred for new implementations.
- Multi-size in one file
- Full Google and legacy browser support
- Use if you need maximum compatibility
Limited in Search: SVG
SVG favicons work in many modern browsers but have limited support in Google Search results. If you use SVG, provide a PNG (48×48 or larger) as the primary favicon for Google.
You can keep SVG for browsers and use PNG for search—declare both in your HTML.
Avoid: JPEG/JPG
Don’t use JPEG for favicons: no transparency, lossy compression hurts small graphics. Use PNG or ICO instead.
FAQ: Favicon Format
What is the best format for a favicon?
PNG (48×48 or larger) or ICO. PNG is preferred for modern sites; ICO for legacy support.
Does Google Search support SVG favicons?
Google prefers PNG or ICO. Use PNG as primary for search; SVG is optional for browsers.
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