How to Add a Favicon in HTML

Three tags cover 99% of cases. Two more give you a full PWA-grade setup.

3 min read

Check favicons on any website

Install the FetchFavicon Chrome Extension to extract, preview, and validate favicons instantly.

Install Chrome Extension

The minimum tag

<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico"> — that's it. Every browser will fetch it.

The modern recommended set

Add SVG and apple-touch-icon for crisp rendering on every platform:

<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico">

<link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">

<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">

PWA install prompts

Add a manifest.json with 192×192 and 512×512 PNG entries, then link <link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest">.

FAQ

What is the minimum HTML tag for a favicon?

Add <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico"> inside <head>. Place favicon.ico at your site root and every browser will find it.

Do I need separate tags for PNG and SVG favicons?

Yes for a modern setup. Link favicon.ico as the fallback, then add <link rel="icon" type="image/png"> and optionally type="image/svg+xml" for sharper rendering.

Where should favicon <link> tags go in HTML?

Inside the <head> element, before </head>. Order among icon links does not matter.

Do I need a web manifest for favicons?

Not for basic tabs, but add <link rel="manifest"> plus 192×192 and 512×512 PNG icons if you want PWA install prompts.

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