How to Use This Checklist

Work through each phase sequentially. Each section includes checkboxes to track your progress. By the end, you'll have a complete, professional favicon implementation for your website.

Phase 1: Planning & Design

Define your favicon concept

Decide what element best represents your brand (logo, initial, symbol)

Choose your brand colors

Select colors that represent your brand and provide good contrast

Keep design simple

Avoid complex details that won't be visible at 16×16 pixels

Ensure readability at small sizes

Test that your design is recognizable when very small

Consider light and dark backgrounds

Verify your design works on both light and dark themes

Check competitor favicons

Ensure your design is distinctive in your industry

Phase 2: Source File Creation

Create high-resolution source (512×512px minimum)

Use PNG format with transparent background

Maintain square aspect ratio (1:1)

All favicons must be perfectly square

Save in multiple formats

PNG for quality, SVG if possible for scalability

Optimize file size

Compress images without losing quality

Create Apple Touch Icon version (solid background)

iOS requires non-transparent background

?? Quick Tip: Use our generator to automatically create all required sizes and formats from your source image.

Phase 4: Create Configuration Files

Create site.webmanifest (PWA manifest)

Includes name, icons array, theme colors

Create browserconfig.xml (Microsoft)

Windows tile configuration

Verify JSON syntax is valid

Use JSON validator to check manifest

Set correct theme colors

Match your brand colors

Phase 5: Upload Files to Server

Choose upload location

Root directory or /favicons/ folder recommended

Upload all favicon files

Via FTP, cPanel, or your CMS

Upload manifest files (site.webmanifest, browserconfig.xml)

Same location as favicon files

Set correct file permissions (644)

Files must be publicly readable

Verify files are accessible via URL

Test: yoursite.com/favicon.ico should load

Phase 6: Add HTML Code

Add favicon links to <head> section

All pages should include favicon links

Include standard favicon tags

ICO, PNG 16x16, PNG 32x32

Add Apple Touch Icon links

iOS home screen support

Link to web manifest

Add Microsoft tile meta tags

msapplication tags

Add theme-color meta tags

For light and dark mode

Verify all file paths are correct

Relative or absolute paths

?? Tip: Our generator provides ready-to-use HTML code. Just copy and paste into your <head> section.

Phase 8: Optimization & Performance

Compress favicon files

Reduce file size without quality loss

Enable browser caching

Set long cache headers (1 year recommended)

Configure CDN if applicable

Serve favicons from CDN for faster loading

Set correct MIME types

Configure server to serve proper content types

Enable HTTPS for all favicon files

Secure connections required

Phase 9: Ongoing Maintenance

Monitor for 404 errors

Check server logs regularly

Update favicons when rebranding

Keep consistent with brand evolution

Test after website updates

Ensure favicons still work after site changes

Keep documentation updated

Document all favicon files and locations

Stay updated with new standards

Follow browser updates and new requirements

Quick Reference: Essential Files

File	Size	Purpose	Priority
`favicon.ico`	Multi-size	Legacy browser support	Critical
`favicon-32x32.png`	32×32	Standard desktop	Critical
`apple-touch-icon.png`	180×180	iOS home screen	Critical
`android-chrome-512x512.png`	512×512	Android/PWA	Critical
`site.webmanifest`	-	PWA configuration	Important
`favicon.svg`	Scalable	Modern browsers	Recommended

Complete Favicon Implementation Checklist

How to Use This Checklist

Phase 1: Planning & Design

Phase 2: Source File Creation

Phase 3: Generate All Required Sizes

Essential Sizes (Must Have):

Additional Sizes (Recommended):

Phase 4: Create Configuration Files

Phase 5: Upload Files to Server

Phase 6: Add HTML Code

Phase 7: Testing & Validation

Browser Testing:

Mobile Testing:

Functional Testing:

Validation Tools:

Phase 8: Optimization & Performance

Phase 9: Ongoing Maintenance

Quick Reference: Essential Files

Skip the Manual Work

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