How to convert ICO to GIF
- Click Choose files or drop your ICO images into the box above — up to 10 at a time on the free plan.
- Optionally resize if you like; transparent areas stay transparent.
- Conversion starts right away. Download each GIF file, or click Download all to get them as one ZIP.
ICO vs GIF
| ICO | GIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | On/off only |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Colors | Several sizes (16×16 to 256×256) in one file, full alpha | Maximum 256 colors per frame, on/off transparency |
| File size (photos) | Small | Large for photos and video clips |
| Opens on | Windows, every browser (as a favicon) | Every browser, messenger and social network |
| Best for | Website favicons and Windows application or shortcut icons | Short looping animations, reactions and simple graphics |
About ICO and GIF
What is ICO?
An ICO file bundles several square versions of the same icon — typically 16×16, 32×32 and 48×48 pixels, up to 256×256 — so Windows and browsers can pick the sharpest one for each place it is shown. It is still the most compatible format for a website favicon.
- Several sizes in one file
- Works as a favicon in every browser
- Transparency
- Only square images up to 256×256
- Not useful outside icons
What is GIF?
GIF is the original animated image format of the web. Each frame can use at most 256 colors and a pixel is either fully transparent or fully opaque, so photos look grainy and animated GIFs are much larger than the same clip as MP4. It is still everywhere because every app can play it without a video player.
- Animation that plays anywhere, no player needed
- Supported by every messenger and social network
- Only 256 colors
- Huge files compared with MP4 or WebP
- No partial transparency
Why GlideConvert?
- Private by design. Your files are converted on your own device by your browser — they are never uploaded to a server. That keeps them private, avoids upload waits and means there is no queue.
- Fast. Images convert in a fraction of a second; video uses your device’s hardware encoder.
- Free. No sign-up, no watermark. 10 images, 5 audio files or one video at a time — Pro lifts the limits and removes ads.
Frequently asked questions
Will converting ICO to GIF reduce quality?
No. GIF is lossless, so the result looks exactly like your ICO.
Is transparency kept?
Yes. Transparent and semi-transparent areas are kept as they are (GIF only supports fully transparent or fully opaque pixels, so soft edges become hard).
Will the GIF file be smaller than the ICO?
Usually not. GIF files keep every pixel, so they are typically larger than ICO. If you need a small file, try WebP or compress the image.
Can I convert several ICO images at once?
Yes. The free plan handles 10 images at a time, and you can download everything as a single ZIP. Pro removes the batch limit, converts files in parallel and supports files up to 4 GB.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. GlideConvert runs entirely in your browser: images are processed with the browser’s built-in codecs and WebAssembly, video and audio with hardware-accelerated WebCodecs (or a WebAssembly build of FFmpeg for older formats). Nothing is sent anywhere — you can even disconnect from the internet once the page has loaded.
Does it work on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows?
Yes. It works in any up-to-date browser — Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox or Samsung Internet — on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to install. On phones, extremely large images may be scaled down to fit within the browser’s memory limit; you will see a note if that happens.