What Is a Favicon?

Every website element contributes to a brand’s unique online identity, from its captivating visuals to its user-friendly interface. One small but mighty component of web design often goes unnoticed yet plays a significant role in brand recognition and user experience – the favicon.

What is a favicon? Short for favourite icon, they are a small icon that represents your website. It is usually found in your web browser’s address bar or the tab next to the page title. But what is its purpose, and why should you have one on your website?

Favicons are like the cherry on top of a well-crafted website sundae. They add polish and professionalism, making your website stand out in browser tabs. They also make it easier for visitors to find and return to your website, as we spot visuals quicker than text. Moreover, a well-designed favicon can strengthen your brand’s visual identity, creating a memorable impression on your audience.

This E2E Studios guide will dive into the favicon definition, importance, design, and implementation so you can have an understanding of favicons and their strategic use can significantly improve your website’s branding and user experience.

What Is a Favicon?

A favicon, a term blending ‘favourite’ and ‘icon’, is a small graphical representation associated with a specific webpage or an entire website. A website with one in place will have an icon in a web browser’s address bar, next to the site’s name in a list of bookmarks, or in the browser tab as a browser tab icon.

Although they may seem insignificant due to their diminutive size, they are important elements of a website’s identity. Often derived from a company’s logo or relevant imagery, a favicon helps users quickly recognise and navigate your website amidst multiple open tabs.

So, what’s a favicon image? Simply, the visual file used for this purpose. The little image makes your site immediately identifiable, usually a simplified version of your brand logo or a symbol relevant to your website.

The Purpose and Benefits of Favicons

At first glance, favicons might appear merely decorative, but their function goes beyond aesthetics. They serve several purposes that enhance a website’s user experience and overall digital branding.

Enhanced Brand Recognition: Favicons act as a visual cue for your website. A well-designed favicon can effectively represent your brand, boosting brand recognition. Users who see your favicon should immediately associate it with your website or brand.

Improved User Navigation: Favicons make it easier for users to navigate browser tabs quickly. When multiple tabs are open, the text becomes obscured, but favicons remain visible, guiding users to your website tab more efficiently.

Increased Credibility and Trust: A professional and aesthetically pleasing favicon can help a website appear more legitimate and trustworthy. An associated favicon demonstrates that effort has gone into the site’s design and branding, often translating to perceived reliability by the user.

Better Bookmark Organisation: Favicons appear in the bookmarks bar, helping users quickly identify and access your website from their saved links. This not only improves user experience but also encourages return visits.

Enhanced Aesthetics: Despite their small size, favicons contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your website. They help create a cohesive look and feel, strengthening your online visual identity.

Favicon Formats and Sizes

When creating favicons, certain technical considerations must be remembered, particularly their formats and sizes. The correct favicon format and size ensures your favicon is displayed properly across different browsers and devices, contributing to a smooth and consistent user experience.

Formats

The most traditional format for favicons is the .ico format (favicon.ico). This format has the advantage of being recognised by all browsers, making it a safe choice for wide compatibility.

However, modern web design isn’t limited to .ico files. Other formats like PNG, GIF, WebP and even SVG are increasingly being used, as they can support detailed designs whilst keeping the file size relatively small. 

Sizes

Favicons come in various sizes depending on their use. The classic size is 16×16 pixels, the typical size you’ll see in your web browser’s address bar and tabs. However, with the advent of high-resolution retina displays, larger favicon sizes are becoming increasingly common.

For example, favicons for Apple’s Touch Icons used when someone bookmarks a site on an iPhone or iPad, are recommended to be 180×180 pixels. Similarly, the Microsoft Tile icon, used for Windows 8 and 10, starts from 70×70 pixels and goes up to 310×310 pixels.

It’s best to create a few different sizes to ensure it looks great on all devices and platforms. The most commonly used dimensions include 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, and 64×64 pixels. Some website owners also opt for 128×128, 152×152, and 195×195 pixels to cater to various platforms and resolutions.

Favicon Design and Creation

Creating an effective favicon requires careful thought and planning. Given their importance in enhancing user experience and bolstering brand recognition, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a favicon that embodies your brand’s identity.

Designing Your Favicon

1. Simplicity is Key: Due to the small favicon dimensions, intricate details may not render well. Keep the design simple and visually distinct for easy recognition.
2. Consistent Branding: Your favicon should be consistent with your brand’s overall aesthetic. It could be a simplified version of your logo, your brand’s initials, or a relevant icon.
3. Visibility on Different Backgrounds: Consider how your favicon will look against light and dark browser themes, as users may switch between these modes. The favicon design should stand out and be recognisable on any background.

Creating Your Favicon

1. Use a Graphic Editor: Programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or free online tools can be used to create your design. They allow you to save your design in different favicon formats and sizes.
2. Favicon Generator Tools: Favicon generator tools are available online and can help convert your design into a image in various sizes and formats, including .ico, PNG, and more.
3. Test Your Design: Before finalising your design, test it in various scenarios – with multiple tabs open, on different backgrounds, and other devices.

Final Thoughts: The Power of the Favicon

In the realm of web design, favicons may seem like minor detail. However, these tiny icons enhance user experience, boost brand visibility, and drive audience engagement. With their capacity to make your website stand out in a sea of browser tabs, favicons serve as a beacon of your digital brand identity.

Remember, its more than just a decorative element; it is a crucial part of your branding strategy. It should be simple yet meaningful and consistent with your brand’s aesthetic.

To ensure your favicon is effective, here are some best practices to consider:

1. Ensure Clarity: Given their small size, they should be clear and easily recognised. Avoid overly complex designs or too much detail.
2. Stay Consistent: It should be an extension of your brand’s identity. Ensure it matches your brand’s style, colour palette, and overall aesthetic.
3. Test Across Platforms: It can appear differently across various platforms, devices, and browsers. Always test them to ensure it appears as intended.
4. Update Regularly: If your brand undergoes a design overhaul, don’t forget to update your favicon too. A consistent visual identity across all platforms is key.

To illustrate how effective favicons look like, here are a few favicon examples from well-known brands:

• Google: Google’s favicon is a simple, capital ‘G’ in its brand colours. It’s instantly recognisable and perfectly demonstrates how a favicon encapsulates a brand.
• Twitter: Twitter uses its iconic bird logo as a favicon. Despite the favicon’s small size, the bird logo is clear and distinct, reinforcing the brand’s identity.
• BBC: The BBC uses its block-letter logo as a favicon. This capitalised, simple font stands out and is easily recognisable in a browser tab.

These examples exemplify how successful brands leverage favicons to reinforce their visual identity. Drawing inspiration from these can help you create one that resonates with your brand and enhances your users’ browsing experience.

Creating and implementing a favicon requires careful thought, creativity, and a few technical steps, but the benefits are worth the effort. Whether you’re building a new website or looking to refresh an existing one, don’t overlook its power despite its small size, It’s a small element that makes a big difference!