Look at the tabs open in your browser right now. Each one shows a tiny image next to the page title. That image is the site icon, more popularly known as the favicon.
A site icon is a small square image that represents your website in browser tabs, bookmarks and phone home screens. It is tiny, but it makes your site look professional.
Why does a site icon matter?
When someone has many tabs open, your icon helps them spot your site instantly. It also appears when visitors bookmark your page or add it to their phone's home screen.
Without one, the tab may show a generic icon or the WordPress logo, which looks unfinished.
How to add a site icon in WordPress
WordPress has a built-in site icon feature, so you don't need a plugin. It is free of cost and takes less than a minute. Since WordPress 6.5, it works the same way with any theme:
- First, go to Settings → General in your dashboard.
- Now, find the Site Icon section and click Choose a Site Icon.
- Next, upload a square image of at least 512 × 512 pixels.
- Here, crop the image if WordPress asks you to. It then creates smaller copies for different devices automatically.
- Finally, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
In classic themes, you can also set it from Appearance → Customize → Site Identity. For screenshots of each method, see our guide on how to change favicon in WordPress.
Browsers cache favicons for a long time. If the new icon doesn't appear right away, clear your browser cache or open your site in a private window.
Tips for a good favicon
- Use a simple shape or a single letter from your logo.
- Pick colors that stand out against both light and dark browser tabs.
- Use a PNG image so that the edges stay sharp.
A site icon is a small detail that makes your brand easy to recognize. That's all about the site icon. If your favicon refuses to show up, tell us in the comment section below and we will help.