SVG to ICNS
Convert SVG to macOS .icns App Icon Bundle
Build .icns files for macOS apps and document type icons. All standard sizes from 16×16 to 1024×1024 are packed automatically up to your target. Built for macOS app developers and icon designers.
Editing defaults for new files
ICO uses fixed sizes: 16, 32, 48, 64, 128, 256. We'll generate every slot up to your target and pack them into a single .ico file.
Will include 16, 32, 48, 64, 128, 256
Preview
What is SVG?
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based vector image format. Instead of pixels, an SVG describes shapes, paths, fills, and strokes mathematically, so it can be rendered at any size without losing quality.
SVG is the standard vector format for the web. It is supported natively by every modern browser, can be styled with CSS, animated with JavaScript or SMIL, and is generally a fraction of the size of an equivalent raster image.
What is ICNS?
ICNS is Apple's icon container format used by macOS for application bundles and document type icons. An ICNS file holds one or more PNG images at standard sizes (16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 pixels).
SVG vs raster formats
Vector graphics (SVG) and raster graphics (PNG, JPG) solve different problems. The right format depends on what the image will be used for.
| Feature | SVG | PNG / JPG | ICO / ICNS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaling | Resolution-independent | Blurry when enlarged | Pre-rendered at fixed sizes |
| File size | Small for shapes and icons | Grows with resolution | Bundle of pre-sized rasters |
| Editing | Editable as text or in vector tools | Pixel-level editing only | Edit each size, then repack |
| Animation | CSS, SMIL, JavaScript | Limited (animated PNG/GIF) | Not supported |
| Transparency | Yes | PNG yes, JPG no | Yes (PNG-based) |
When to convert SVG to ICNS
macOS apps and document types use ICNS. Use this SVG to ICNS converter as a free macOS app icon generator: convert SVG to ICNS when packaging a macOS app, an Electron or Tauri Mac bundle, or replacing a file-type icon. A target-256 ICNS typically weighs 30-150 KB; a target-1024 ICNS (App Store standard) lands at 200 KB-2 MB depending on detail. One file covers every Finder, Dock, and dialog size.
SVG to ICNS: file size and quality trade-offs
File size
A multi-size ICNS bundles every standard slot from 16×16 up to your target (max 1024×1024). A target-1024 ICNS typically lands at 200 KB-2 MB depending on how much fine detail the SVG carries. Smaller targets are proportionally smaller; a target-256 file usually weighs 30-150 KB.
When ICNS is the right choice
ICNS is the macOS app icon format. Use it when packaging a `.app` bundle, an Electron or Tauri Mac build, a custom document type icon, or anywhere Finder, the Dock, or `xcassets` expects `.icns`. Apple's tooling can convert ICNS to the modern `iconset` format if needed.
When to keep the SVG
Keep the SVG as the source of truth for branding. Apple's Asset Catalog and Xcode tooling can re-export PNG sets and ICNS bundles directly from a vector source, so the SVG stays the editable master. The ICNS is the build artifact, not the source.
Quality trade-offs
Each ICNS slot stores a PNG at its exact size, rasterized from your SVG. A 1024 slot is crisp on any current Apple display, including 6K external monitors. The smallest slots (16, 32) demand a simplified pixel-fit version of the artwork if the SVG is detailed; otherwise they will look smudgy in the Finder list view.
How to convert SVG to ICNS online
- Drop your file (or click SELECT FILES) to add it to the queue.
- Adjust the options on the left (format, size, background, quality) and watch the preview update.
- Click SAVE ALL to download the converted file (or a ZIP if you uploaded multiple files).
Privacy and security
Your files never leave your computer. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. There is no upload, no server, and no analytics tracking the contents of your files.
Because nothing is uploaded, the tool is safe to use with confidential logos, internal documents, and proprietary artwork.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does the ICNS contain?
The converter packs every standard ICNS slot up to your target size: 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024. macOS picks the right size for the context: Finder thumbnails, dock icons, dialog icons, and so on.
What size should I pick for a macOS app icon?
1024 is the standard for modern macOS apps and the App Store. Picking 1024 bundles every smaller size automatically, so the icon stays crisp from the Finder list view all the way up to a fullscreen splash screen.
Does ICNS support transparency?
Yes. ICNS uses per-pixel alpha just like PNG. The converter keeps transparency by default. Pick a solid background only if you want to fill the see-through areas.