HTML Favicons Examples, Tips & Tricks

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HTML favicons from the ground up. A favicon (short for “favorite icon”) is a small image or icon that appears in the browser tab next to the page’s title. It’s also displayed in bookmarks, history, and more. Here are some examples, tips, and tricks for working with favicons in HTML.

1. Basic Favicon Setup

To add a basic favicon to your webpage, you’ll use the <link> tag in the <head> section of your HTML file. The most common file formats for favicons are .ico, .png, and .svg.

<head>
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
</head>

Here, the file favicon.ico is the image that will be shown as the favicon. It’s important to place this file in the root directory or specify the path correctly.

2. Using PNG or SVG Favicons

You can use other formats like PNG and SVG, which are often preferred for their higher resolution and better quality across different devices and browsers.

<head>
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon.png" type="image/png">
    <!-- Or for SVG -->
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml">
</head>

3. Creating a Multiple Favicon Set

For optimal browser compatibility, it’s a good idea to include different sizes of favicons. You can specify multiple favicons for different platforms (e.g., iOS, Android, and regular web browsers). Each link tag can define different sizes to ensure the favicon looks sharp on various devices.

<head>
    <!-- Standard 16x16 icon for browsers -->
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16" type="image/png">
    
    <!-- 32x32 icon for higher resolution -->
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" type="image/png">
    
    <!-- For Apple Touch Icon (iOS) -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="apple-icon.png" sizes="180x180">
    
    <!-- For Android Home Screen Icon -->
    <link rel="icon" href="android-icon.png" sizes="192x192">
    
    <!-- For Safari -->
    <link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
</head>

4. Transparent Favicon

Transparent favicons (like PNGs with transparent backgrounds) tend to look more modern and fit in better with the browser tab or bookmark bar. Just ensure the image is square (e.g., 16×16, 32×32, or 64×64) and uses transparency correctly.

<link rel="icon" href="transparent-favicon.png" type="image/png">

5. Favicon with a Different Size for Each Device

Sometimes, specific devices, like iPhones or Android phones, prefer a custom-sized icon. Here’s how you can create a set of favicons optimized for various devices:

<head>
    <!-- iOS -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="apple-icon.png">
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="167x167" href="apple-icon-167x167.png">
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="apple-icon-152x152.png">

    <!-- Android -->
    <link rel="icon" sizes="192x192" href="android-icon-192x192.png">
    <link rel="icon" sizes="512x512" href="android-icon-512x512.png">
</head>

6. Favicon Generator

If you’re not a designer or just want to speed up the process, you can use an online favicon generator. These tools typically allow you to upload an image, and they’ll generate all the necessary sizes and HTML code for you. Sites like favicon.io can be great for this.

7. Improving Accessibility

Although favicons are primarily visual, it’s still good practice to ensure they work well for all users. You can add a title attribute to the favicon tag, though it’s not commonly used, just to provide a description for assistive technologies:

<link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" title="My Website Icon">

8. Dynamic Favicons

It’s also possible to change the favicon dynamically using JavaScript. For instance, you can change the favicon when certain events occur on the page, like a new notification:

<script>
    function changeFavicon(newFavicon) {
        var link = document.querySelector("link[rel*='icon']") || document.createElement('link');
        link.type = 'image/x-icon';
        link.rel = 'icon';
        link.href = newFavicon;
        document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(link);
    }

    // Example: Changing the favicon
    changeFavicon('new-favicon.ico');
</script>

9. Favicon and SEO

While favicons don’t directly affect SEO rankings, a properly implemented favicon can contribute to your site’s branding and user experience. A clear, professional favicon can help with brand recall, making it easier for users to identify your website.

10. Tips for Choosing a Good Favicon

  • Keep it simple: Since favicons are so small, avoid using overly complex images. Choose something clear and recognizable at small sizes.
  • Use a square image: Favicons are almost always displayed as square icons, so create your image with equal width and height (e.g., 16×16, 32×32).
  • Stick to 1-2 colors: The more simplified your color scheme, the better it will scale.
  • Test on multiple devices: Ensure that the favicon looks good on different devices, browsers, and resolutions.

Conclusion:

Favicons are an essential part of the user experience, helping to reinforce branding and make navigation smoother. By using proper sizes, optimizing for different platforms, and ensuring accessibility, you can create a favicon that stands out and improves your site’s professionalism. Whether you choose simple or complex designs, or even dynamic favicons, it’s all about enhancing the user’s interaction with your website.