How to Set Your Site Favicon on WordPress

A favicon is the small icon that appears next to your site’s title in browser tabs, bookmark lists, and address bars. It’s a tiny but powerful way to boost your site’s branding and help visitors recognize your site easily. Follow these steps to set up your favicon on your WordPress site.

Prepare Your Favicon Image

Before you upload your favicon, make sure the image meets the following requirements:

  • Size: 512×512 pixels. WordPress requires this size to ensure compatibility across different devices and browsers.
  • Format: JPEG, PNG, GIF, or ICO. PNG is often preferred for its ability to handle transparency.
  • Simplicity: Since the favicon will appear very small, a simple design works best.

Access the WordPress Customizer

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. In the left-hand menu, go to Appearance > Customize. This will open the WordPress Customizer, where you can make various changes to your site’s appearance.

Add Your Favicon

  1. In the Customizer, click on Site Identity.
  2. Look for the Site Icon section. This is where you’ll upload your favicon.
  3. Click on Select Site Icon.

Upload Your Favicon

  1. A media uploader window will pop up. Click Select Files to upload the 512×512 pixel image you prepared earlier.
  2. Once uploaded, you can adjust the crop, but if your image is already 512×512 pixels, no cropping should be necessary.
  3. Click on Crop Image or Skip Cropping if the image is already the correct size.

Save Your Changes

  1. After uploading and setting your favicon, you’ll see a preview of how it will look in the browser tab.
  2. To apply the favicon, click the Publish button at the top of the Customizer screen.

Verify Your Favicon

Once you’ve set and published your favicon:

  1. Open a new tab in your browser and visit your site.
  2. Check the tab and ensure your favicon appears as expected.

Tips for a Great Favicon

  • Keep it simple: A favicon is small, so avoid intricate details.
  • Make it recognizable: Use a logo or a symbol associated with your brand.
  • Use transparency wisely: If you have a transparent background, make sure the image looks good against both light and dark backgrounds.

Troubleshooting

  • Favicon not showing: Clear your browser cache and reload the page. Sometimes, cached data can prevent new favicons from appearing.
  • Image quality issues: Ensure your favicon is a high-resolution image and properly sized at 512×512 pixels to avoid blurriness.

That’s it! Your site now has a custom favicon that represents your brand. If you have any issues or need further customization, feel free to reach out for help.