Convert ICO to GIF
Free ICO to GIF converter. Keeps transparency. No signup, and your files are deleted after 1 hour.
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Maximum file size: 100 MB per file
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How to convert ICO to GIF
Quick answer: To convert ICO to GIF: upload your ICO file, choose GIF as the output format, click Convert and download the result. It takes a few seconds, needs no account, and your files are deleted from the server after 1 hour.
- Upload your ICO file by clicking the upload area, dragging it in, or pasting an image URL.
- Select GIF as the output format.
- Click Convert and wait a few seconds.
- Download your GIF file, or download several files at once as a ZIP.
What changes when you convert ICO to GIF
- Both formats support transparency, so see-through areas stay transparent.
- Your ICO is a still image, so the GIF will also be a still image.
- Neither format throws away detail in this conversion, so the pixels are preserved.
- Expect a larger file with GIF; it trades size for quality or features.
- Icons that hold several sizes are read as a single image.
ICO vs GIF at a glance
| Feature | ICO | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | ICO (Windows Icon) | GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) |
| Introduced | 1985 | 1987 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Best for | Website favicons and Windows app icons | Short looping animations, memes and very simple graphics |
| Compatibility | Used for favicons and Windows icons; most photo viewers do not open it. | Opens in every browser, phone, computer and app. |
When to choose GIF instead of ICO
Choose GIF for short looping animations, memes and very simple graphics. Its main limit: it is limited to 256 colors, so photos look banded and files get large.
Stay with ICO if you need website favicons and Windows app icons.
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ICO to GIF FAQ
How do I convert ICO to GIF?
Upload your ICO file, select GIF as the output format and click Convert. When it finishes, download the GIF file. No software or account is needed, and your files are deleted after 1 hour.
Does converting ICO to GIF reduce quality?
No. Both formats keep the full pixel data, so the converted image looks identical.
Is transparency kept when converting ICO to GIF?
Yes. Both ICO and GIF support transparency, so see-through areas are preserved.
Can I convert an animated ICO to GIF?
Yes, but only if the source is animated. A still ICO produces a still GIF.
Will the GIF file be smaller than the ICO?
Usually no. GIF files tend to be larger than ICO because GIF keeps more data.
Where can I open a GIF file?
Opens in every browser, phone, computer and app.
Is it free and safe to convert ICO to GIF here?
Yes. It is free for up to 20 files per day and 100 MB per file, with no sign-up. Files are processed on our server, never shared, and deleted automatically after 1 hour.
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