Complete Guide to App Icon Sizes 2026
Complete Guide to App Icon Sizes 2026
Creating app icons seems simple—until you realize every platform has different requirements. iOS needs rounded squares, Android wants adaptive layers, and web platforms have their own specifications.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about app icon sizes in 2026, with quick reference tables and expert tips.
Why Icon Sizes Matter
Using the wrong icon size can cause:
- ❌ Blurry or pixelated icons on high-resolution displays
- ❌ Rejection from app stores during review
- ❌ Inconsistent appearance across devices
- ❌ Cropped content on some platforms
✅ Correct sizes ensure your app looks professional everywhere.
Understanding Icon Units
Before diving into sizes, let's clarify the terminology:
Common Units
| Unit | Full Name | Used By | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| pt | Point | iOS | 1pt = 1px on standard displays, 2px on Retina (2x) |
| dp | Density-independent Pixel | Android | Scales based on screen density |
| px | Pixel | Web/Figma | Actual pixels on screen |
| @1x, @2x, @3x | Resolution Multiplier | iOS | @2x = 2x resolution for Retina displays |
Key Concept: Safe Zones
Most platforms have a safe zone—the area where your main content should appear. Anything outside this zone may be cropped or covered by system overlays.
iOS App Icon Sizes
iOS uses a single base design that gets scaled to multiple sizes. The key is creating your icon at 1024x1024 pt—Apple will handle the rest.
iOS Icon Sizes Quick Reference
| Usage | Size (pt) | Size (px) | File Format | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| App Store (1024pt) | 1024×1024 | 1024×1024 | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| iPhone App (60pt) | 60×60 | 180×180 (@3x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| iPhone App (60pt @2x) | 60×60 | 120×120 (@2x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro App (83.5pt) | 83.5×83.5 | 167×167 (@2x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| iPad App (76pt) | 76×76 | 152×152 (@2x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Settings (29pt) | 29×29 | 87×87 (@3x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Spotlight (40pt) | 40×40 | 80×80 (@2x) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
iOS Icon Design Tips
Do's:
- ✅ Use the full 1024×1024 canvas - Don't leave margins
- ✅ Keep key content in center 90% - Safe zone for rounded corners
- ✅ Use high contrast colors - Ensure visibility on all backgrounds
- ✅ Test on dark mode - Icons should look good in both themes
Don'ts:
- ❌ Don't use transparency - iOS icons are always opaque
- ❌ Don't add gloss effects - Apple removed this in iOS 7
- ❌ Don't use text below 40pt - Will be unreadable at small sizes
Android App Icon Sizes
Android uses Adaptive Icons—a layered system with a foreground and background. This allows for cool effects like masks and animations.
Android Adaptive Icon Sizes
| Usage | Size | Format | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play Store Icon | 512×512 px | PNG/JPG | ✅ Yes |
| Legacy Launcher | 192×192 dp | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Foreground Layer | 108×108 dp | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Background Layer | 108×108 dp | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Notification Icon | 24×24 dp (white) | PNG | ✅ Yes |
Android Adaptive Icon Structure
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Background Layer (108dp) │ ← Any color/gradient
├─────────────────────────────┤
│ Foreground Layer (108dp) │ ← Your icon design
│ (66% safe zone) │ ← Keep content centered
└─────────────────────────────┘
↓ Mask applied by device
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Final Shape varies by: │
│ - Device manufacturer │
│ - User preference │
│ - Launcher app │
└─────────────────────────────┘
Android Icon Design Tips
Do's:
- ✅ Use 108×108dp for both layers - Ensure proper scaling
- ✅ Keep important content in 66dp safe zone - May be cropped
- ✅ Design for circle masks - Most restrictive shape
- ✅ Test on different launchers - Nova, Samsung, Pixel, etc.
Don'ts:
- ❌ Don't assume square shape - Final shape varies by device
- ❌ Don't use transparency in background - Will show black
- ❌ Don't ignore foreground mask - Content will be clipped
Web & Favicon Sizes
Web icons have the most varied requirements across platforms. Here are the essentials:
Web Icon Sizes
| Usage | Size | Format | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favicon (standard) | 32×32, 16×16 | ICO/PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Favicon (modern) | 512×512 | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| Apple Touch Icon | 180×180 | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| PWA Manifest Icon | 512×512 | PNG | ✅ Yes |
| OG Image (social) | 1200×630 | JPG/PNG | ✅ Yes |
Favicon Best Practices
<!-- Add to your <head> section -->
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
<link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json">
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Base Size | Format | Transparency | Rounded Corners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | 1024×1024pt | PNG | ❌ No | ✅ Auto (squircle) |
| Android | Play Store: 512×512px, Adaptive: 108×108dp | PNG | ✅ Foreground only | ⚠️ Varies |
| Web | 512×512px | PNG/ICO | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using the Wrong Resolution
- ❌ Bad: Creating a 512×512 icon and expecting it to look good on Retina displays
- ✅ Good: Start with 1024×1024 and scale down
2. Ignoring Safe Zones
- ❌ Bad: Placing important text at the edge of the icon
- ✅ Good: Keep key elements centered in 66-72% safe zone
3. Using Too Much Detail
- ❌ Bad: Intricate designs that become unrecognizable at 32×32
- ✅ Good: Simple, bold shapes that scale well
4. Forgetting Dark Mode
- ❌ Bad: Low contrast icon that's hard to see on some backgrounds
- ✅ Good: Test against both light and dark backgrounds
Quick Reference Tables
Need all sizes in one place? Check out our interactive guide:
📊 View Full Size Reference Table →
Generating Icons with AI
Creating perfectly-sized icons for every platform is tedious. That's where AI comes in.
Why Use AI Icon Generation?
- One prompt, all platforms – Generate icons for iOS, Android, and web simultaneously
- Professional styles – Clay, Flat, Mac, Pixel
- Perfect dimensions – Automatically sized for each platform
- Fast iteration – Try different designs in seconds
4 Professional Icon Styles
AppIconKitchen offers 4 distinct styles to match your app's branding:
| Clay | Flat | Mac | Pixel |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| 3D clay | Clean, minimal | Frosted glass | Retro pixel |
Style Comparison – Same design in different styles:
 |  |  |  |
|---|
How It Works
- Visit AppIconKitchen.com
- Describe your icon – "A minimalist camera, blue gradient"
- Select a style – Clay, Flat, Mac, or Pixel
- Choose colors and shape – Pick your colors and icon shape
- Generate & Download – Get perfectly-sized icons for every platform
💡 Pro Tip: Generate multiple style variations and A/B test which performs better!
Icon Size Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting to app stores:
Design Phase
□ Created at 1024×1024 (iOS) or 512×512 (Android)
□ Important content in safe zone (66-72%)
□ High contrast colors
□ Tested on light and dark backgrounds
Export Phase
□ All required sizes generated
□ Correct file formats (PNG for iOS/Android)
□ Proper file naming convention
□ No transparency where not allowed
Testing Phase
□ Preview on actual devices
□ Test with different wallpapers (Android)
□ Verify in simulator
□ Check app store preview
Before Submit
□ App Store icon (1024×1024)
□ Play Store icon (512×512)
□ All device-specific sizes
□ Favicon and web icons
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between pt and px?
pt (point) is an iOS unit that scales based on display density. On standard displays, 1pt = 1px. On Retina displays (2x), 1pt = 2px. px (pixel) is an actual screen pixel.
Do I need to create every size manually?
No. Start with a high-resolution base (1024×1024 for iOS, 512×512 for Android) and use tools like AppIconKitchen to automatically generate all required sizes.
Can I use the same icon for iOS and Android?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. iOS uses rounded squares (squircles), while Android uses adaptive icons with variable shapes. For best results, create platform-specific versions.
What file format should I use?
- iOS: PNG (lossless, supports transparency)
- Android: PNG (foreground), PNG/JPG (background)
- Web: PNG for icons, JPG for photos, ICO for legacy favicons
Why was my icon rejected from the App Store?
Common reasons:
- Wrong dimensions (must be exactly 1024×1024)
- Contains transparency
- Uses beta or pre-release terminology
- Looks like another app's icon
- Low resolution or blurry
How often do icon sizes change?
Platform guidelines update periodically. Always check the latest:
Ready to Generate Perfect Icons?
Stop worrying about pixel-perfect dimensions. Let AI handle the technical details while you focus on design.
🎨 Generate App Icons with AI →
With AppIconKitchen, you can:
- Generate icons for all platforms at once
- Choose from 4 professional styles
- Export in correct dimensions automatically
- 100% free, no signup required
Related Resources
- Interactive App Icon Size Reference
- iOS App Icon Generator
- Android App Icon Generator
- Apple HIG - App Icons
- Material Design - App Icons
Last updated: February 2026 | Compatible with iOS 18+, Android 15+