DDS to ICO Converter
Convert DDS to ICO in your browser. DDS files usually come from DirectX games, game mods and texture tools such as NVIDIA Texture Tools and Intel's texture plugin; ICO is the better fit for favicons and Windows icons. You get a multi-size ICO with PNG-compressed icons (16, 32, 48 and 256 px by default). Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
DDS expected · other image formats also work
How to use DDS to ICO
- 1
Add your DDS files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
Choose the icon sizes to include.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .ico files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for dds to ico
Where the ICO goes next
ICO opens in every browser (as a favicon), Windows and most Linux desktops.
ICO next to DDS
Both sides are lossless, so the size depends on how well the ICO encoder handles this picture compared with the DDS's block compression (BC1 to BC7, also called DXT) or uncompressed RGBA.
Written without a lossy pass
The ICO is written losslessly, so the pixels decoded from the DDS arrive unchanged.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
DDS vs ICO
What changes from DDS to ICO
Encoding: the DDS uses block compression (BC1 to BC7, also called DXT) or uncompressed RGBA; ICO uses each size stored as a headerless BMP or as a complete PNG, and the download is a multi-size ICO with PNG-compressed icons (16, 32, 48 and 256 px by default).
Bit depth: 8 bits per channel for common texture formats in the DDS; ICO allows 1 to 32 bits per pixel, set per size, and the ICO written here has 32 bits per pixel.
Colour: RGB(A); normal maps and packed masks store data rather than colour in the DDS; ICO supports RGB or a palette, per image, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Transparency: the DDS stores it as alpha inside the compressed blocks (BC2, BC3, BC7) or a 1-bit cut-out (BC1); the ICO keeps it as 8-bit alpha in 32-bit and PNG entries, or a 1-bit mask in old icons.
Other images: the DDS can hold mipmaps, cubemap faces or texture arrays; only the main image is converted.
Metadata: the DDS can carry a 128-byte header (plus a DX10 header) describing the pixel format, nothing about the picture; ICO can carry only a directory of the sizes inside, with no EXIF, but nothing is copied across.
About DDS
DDS is a GPU texture format used by DirectX games. It stores block-compressed textures (DXT/BC) and mipmaps that graphics cards decode directly.
A DDS file starts with 'DDS ' and a 124-byte header giving the size, mipmap count and pixel format: a FourCC such as DXT1 or DXT5, or 'DX10' followed by an extra header naming a DXGI format. The largest mipmap comes first.
DDS files usually come from DirectX games, game mods and texture tools such as NVIDIA Texture Tools and Intel's texture plugin.
About ICO
ICO is a container that bundles several sizes of the same icon (16, 32, 48, 256 px) into one file. It is still the most compatible format for website favicons and Windows app icons.
An ICO starts with a 6-byte ICONDIR (type 1 for icons) and a 16-byte entry per image giving width, height, colour count and offset. Each image is either a BMP without its file header plus an AND mask, or a complete PNG.
When converting DDS to ICO makes sense
ICO is the better choice for favicons and Windows icons, while DDS suits game textures and mods.
ICO strengths: Multiple sizes in one file; Required by Windows and supported by every browser as a favicon. Drawbacks to weigh: Max 256×256 per image; Not for photos.
Limitations
- Only the top-level image (the largest mipmap of the first surface) is converted; smaller mipmaps and other cubemap faces are left out.
- Normal maps and packed masks hold data rather than colours, so they look purple or odd as ordinary pictures.
- Each size inside the ICO is scaled from your image, and detailed artwork loses legibility at 16 and 32 px, so simplify logos first.
- Non-square images are centred on a transparent square for each icon size.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting DDS to ICO lose quality?
ICO is written losslessly, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded. Not carried over: any mipmaps.
Is transparency kept in the ICO?
Yes. DDS stores it as alpha inside the compressed blocks (BC2, BC3, BC7) or a 1-bit cut-out (BC1), and the ICO is written with an alpha channel, so transparent areas stay transparent.
Which icon sizes are included?
16, 32, 48 and 256 px by default, the set Windows and browsers expect. You can choose other sizes. Non-square images are centred on a transparent square.
Which apps open ICO files?
Every browser (as a favicon), Windows and most Linux desktops.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.