Icon packaging
Creates one square icon. The image is fitted inside it without stretching.
Convert PCX to ICO
- In your browser
- No upload
- Private by design
What happens when you convert PCX to ICO?
Transparency
The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
Encoding mode
ICO compression depends on the embedded image payload. Multiple sizes are alternatives, not animation frames; transparency handling differs between old masks and alpha-capable images. The output uses the implemented still-image encoder; file size depends on the pixels and format.
PCX
Source
PCX
ZSoft PC Paintbrush
Compression: LosslessTransparency: NoMetadata: Resolution, Palette information
A legacy Paintbrush raster format with planar colour storage and run-length compression.
Explore PCX format →ICO
Target
ICO
Windows Icon
Compression: Depends on variantTransparency: YesMetadata: Image dimensions, Colour depth
An icon resource containing several raster sizes and colour depths, with masks or alpha for transparency.
Explore ICO format →Is PCX → ICO right for you?
Good choice when
- ICO fits your delivery use: Application icons & favicons.
- You need an icon resource for a compatible application.
- Your receiving application supports the required ICO variant.
- You can validate the destination’s sample precision and colour interpretation.
- You need a ICO-compatible workflow that can hold transparency added in a separate edit.
Probably not when
- You need automatic icon design or guaranteed multi-size packaging.
- You need a guaranteed output file size or archival pixel equality. Encoder settings do not guarantee either.
- You require identical samples without a defined colour and precision policy.
- You expect automatic background removal or transparency.
PCX to ICO conversion details
- Icon packaging
- Creates one square icon. The image is fitted inside it without stretching.
- Transparency
- The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
- Encoding mode
- ICO compression depends on the embedded image payload. Multiple sizes are alternatives, not animation frames; transparency handling differs between old masks and alpha-capable images. The output uses the implemented still-image encoder; file size depends on the pixels and format.
- Sample precision & colour
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
- Metadata & colour
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
- Compression
- PCX: Lossless → ICO: Depends on variant PCX: PCX RLE is lossless for stored samples. Palette reduction is a separate potentially lossy step; colour planes are channels, not editable composition layers. ICO: ICO compression depends on the embedded image payload. Multiple sizes are alternatives, not animation frames; transparency handling differs between old masks and alpha-capable images.
- Transparency
- Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
- Colour depth
- PCX: Palette or 24-bit RGB
- Multiple images
- ICO: Alternative icon sizes
- Dimensions
- Creates one square icon. The image is fitted inside it without stretching.
- Metadata
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Common questions
Will ICO automatically create all icon sizes?
Creates one square icon. The image is fitted inside it without stretching.
Will the background become transparent?
The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
Which compression mode will ICO use?
ICO compression depends on the embedded image payload. Multiple sizes are alternatives, not animation frames; transparency handling differs between old masks and alpha-capable images. The output uses the implemented still-image encoder; file size depends on the pixels and format.
Are bit depth and colour values guaranteed to match?
Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Will metadata and colour profiles be retained?
Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.