Favicon HTML

Introduction

A favicon, short for "favorite icon," is a small file containing one or more icons representing the website or a blog. It is also known as a tab icon, website icon, URL icon, or bookmark icon.

This icon is displayed on the address bar, browser tab, browser history, bookmark bar, etc. The image of a favicon is in .ico file format. There are various file formats, but all browsers support the .ico format.

Purpose and Importance of Favicons for Websites

• Brand Recognition: Favicons frequently include the logo, initials, or other distinctive symbols of a website. They are a visible representation of the website's brand, making it simpler for users to recognize and remember it.
• User Experience: By offering visual clues in browser tabs, favicons enhance the overall user experience. Users can navigate the web more effectively by instantly identifying and switching between many open tabs.
• Favourites and Bookmarks: The favicon is often shown next to the website name when users bookmark or add a website to their favourites. Users may find and visit their favourite websites more quickly because of this visual association.
• Professionalism: Using a favicon displays professionalism and attention to detail in web design. It offers websites a clean, professional look.
• Tab Identification: To manage several open web pages, tabs are a widespread feature in modern web browsers. Favicons make it simpler for users to locate and return to particular web pages by assisting in the distinction between tabs.
• Visual Consistency: Favicons help a website's visual branding across all platforms and devices, strengthening the website's identity.

Favicon File Format and Size

To support multiple devices and browsers, favicons are available in various file formats and sizes. For compatibility and aesthetic quality, the recommended file format and size for favicons are crucial factors to consider. Details are as follows:

File Formats:

• ICO (Icon): The most popular and suggested file format for favicons is ICO (Icon). It is a type of Windows icon file that supports various picture sizes and color levels. ICO favicons can be seen in browsers running on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Another popular favicon type is PNG. It is a lossless picture format that offers visuals of excellent quality. While PNG favicons aren't as widely accepted as ICO, they function effectively in contemporary browsers, especially on non-Windows platforms.

Image Sizes

• 16x16 pixels: A favicon's standard size is 16x16 pixels. This site is used for favicons shown in bookmarks, favourites lists, and browser tabs. It guarantees a little, easily recognized icon.
• 32x32 Pixels: Some browsers may use a larger 32x32 pixel favicon for better clarity and aesthetic appeal, especially on high-resolution displays. Offering versions in 16x16 and 32x32 pixels can improve the user experience.

Different Sizes and Variations:

It's recommended to offer different sizes and favicon variants to ensure compatibility with other devices and situations. It comes in variants with different sizes (16x16, 32x32, etc.) and color depths (16-bit, 32-bit, etc.) for both ICO and PNG files.

For various use cases and devices, including bigger sizes (such as 64x64 pixels) and a favicon with a translucent backdrop can be helpful.

Consider making a unique set of touch icons specifically for mobile devices to enhance the appearance of smartphones and tablets.

How to Create a Favicon

Following are the steps for creating the favicon:

• Click on the following URL to generate the favicon: https://www.favicon.cc/
• Once the favicon is successfully completed, we can download the favicon by clicking on the download favicon option.
• After the downloading, a favicon with the name favicon.ico is available in the file system drive.

Adding a Favicon to a Website

There are several ways to add a favicon to a website, but using the element in the HTML section is one of the more popular and well-accepted techniques. Here is how to go about it:

• Creating the Favicon

Create a favicon image in the recommended sizes and formats first. The two most popular file types are ICO and PNG.

• Upload the Favicon to Your Web Server:

Favicon files should be uploaded to your web server. Make sure the file can be accessed from your website's root directory.

• Adding the Favicon Code to HTML:

Use the element in the HTML code of your website's HTML section to indicate the favicon file's location with the rel (relationship) attribute set to "icon" or "shortcut icon."

That is, Open the HTML file. Then, use the following syntax to insert the favicon in the HTML file.

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

We have to use the above syntax in the tag of our html file. Then, save the file. Now. Open the HTML file in any browser. We can see the icon on the web page.

HTML Code for Linking to a Favicon:

Here is an illustration of HTML code that uses the <link> element to link to a favicon:

Output:

Creating Custom Favicons

To ensure that your website has a distinctive and recognizable icon, creating custom favicons is an essential step in web development. Using graphic design software or online favicon generators, you may make unique favicons. Here is a description of each approach:

By Using Favicon Generators

• Choose a Favicon Generator:

Using online favicon generators makes the task easier. Several favicon-generating websites are available, including "Favicon.io" and "RealFaviconGenerator.net."

• Create or Upload Your Favicon:

While some generators let you submit an existing image, others offer straightforward design tools so you can make your favicon right there on the platform.

• Customise Settings:

If necessary, alter settings like size, background color, and transparency.

• Generating the Favicon

To create the favicon files, select the "Generate" or "Create Favicon" option.

• Download the Favicon Package:

A package of favicon files in different sizes and formats (ICO and PNG) is often provided by the generator. Get this package now.

By Using Graphic Design Software:

• Select a Graphic Design Programme:

A favicon can be made using widely used graphic design programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Programme), or even more basic tools like Canva.

• Creating a New Canvas

Create a new canvas first with the suggested favicon dimensions. The dimension is typically 16x16 pixels. For higher-quality displays, you can also make a larger version (e.g., 32x32 pixels).

• Create Your Favicon:

Make your favicon stand out by keeping it straightforward. Think about employing the initials, logo, or other distinctive emblem of your website.

Make sure the favicon maintains visual clarity and looks well at a small size.

• Export to PNG or ICO:

Your favicon should be exported in the correct file format (ICO or PNG) and size. You might require a plugin or a specific ICO converter program for the ICO format.

• Ideal Dimensions for a Favicon:

The recommended size for favicons is 16x16 pixels, which is also the size used to show them on browser tabs. When demonstrated at its intended modest scale, the favicon will be easily recognizable.

However, it's best practice to offer more significant variants, such as 32x32 pixels, in addition to the standard 16x16 pixel size. Some browsers use the larger size for a crisper appearance, especially on high-resolution monitors.

Touch Icons for Mobile Devices

Touch icons are tiny pictures used exclusively for mobile devices, primarily on iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. They are also known as Apple Touch Icons or iOS Icons. When customers download a website to their device's home screen or use it as a web app, these icons improve the user experience. Progressive web apps (PWAs) and web applications, in general, benefit greatly from the use of touch icons. Here's how to add touch icons to enhance user experience on tablets and smartphones:

Adding Touch Icons:

• Creating the Touch Icon

Make a touch icon image first. For iOS devices, 180x180 pixels are the suggested size for touch icons. Ensure the image adequately reflects your website or web app and is aesthetically pleasing.

• Uploading the Touch Icon:

Like you would with a standard favicon, upload the touch icon image to your website's server.

• Add HTML code:

Use the <link> element in the <head> section of your HTML document to reference the touch icon image's location with the rel attribute set to "apple-touch-icon."

HTML Code for Adding a Touch Icon:

Output:

In this example:

• The HTML document's "<head section contains the <link> element.
• To specify that this is an iOS touch icon, the rel property has been set to "apple-touch-icon."
• The href attribute specifies the path to the touch icon image. Put the actual path to your touch icon file on your web server instead of "/path-to-touch-icon/."

Advantages of Touch Icons

For mobile consumers, adding touch icons to your website has various advantages:

• Enhanced User Experience: On iOS devices, touch icons provide web apps and websites with a more native app-like experience. Users can save the website to their home screen for easy access.
• Visual branding: Touch icons put your branding and logo on show, enhancing the identity of your website on visitors' home screens.
• Improved Discoverability: When your website is saved to the home screen, people can access it without searching through their browser bookmarks.

Web apps can be opened in full-screen mode using touch icons, giving users a more immersive experience.