Convert ICO to GIF

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Max file size 100mb.

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ICO vs GIF Format Comparison

Aspect	ICO (Source Format)	GIF (Target Format)
Format Overview	ICO Windows Icon Container with multiple small images at various resolutions and depths. Standard	GIF Graphics Interchange Format Indexed-color bitmap format supporting simple animations and binary transparency. Standard
Compression	Uncompressed or RLE-compressed; keeps icon files small due to small image size.	Lossless LZW; limited to 256 colors per frame.
Color Depth	Supports 1, 4, 8, 24, or 32 bits per pixel per icon entry.	Up to 8 bits per pixel (256 colors); no true alpha channel (binary transparency only).
File Size	Very small (a few KB) for typical icon resolutions (16×16, 32×32).	Small for simple graphics; grows with animation frames.
Advantages	Multi-resolution support in one file Ideal for application icons and favicons Minimal storage footprint	Built-in animation capability Wide legacy browser support Simple transparency handling
Disadvantages	Not suitable for detailed images No animation support Limited to icon-sized resolutions	Limited to 256 colors Dithering artifacts possible No partial transparency
Use Cases	Application and desktop icons Website favicons UI element icons	Simple web animations Small banners or GIF icons Legacy graphic support
Tooling & Ecosystem	Icon editors (IcoFX, Greenfish) Visual Studio resource compiler Windows Explorer preview	All major browsers GIMP, Photoshop, Paint.NET GIF animation tools

Why Convert ICO to GIF?

ICO files are perfect for icons but lack animation capabilities and broader use outside interface contexts. Converting to GIF lets you animate icons or use them as simple web graphics with widespread browser support.

GIF’s palette-based compression and support for multiple frames enable lightweight animations and effects, making your icons more dynamic on websites or in presentations. The conversion remains fast and preserves the small file size advantage.

If you need to repurpose Windows icons for web banners, animated UI elements, or email graphics, converting ICO to GIF ensures compatibility and adds motion to your visuals without sacrificing simplicity.