Quick answer
In WordPress 6.5 or later, open Settings → General, find Site Icon, choose a square image that is at least 512x512 pixels, and save the changes. On older WordPress versions, use Appearance → Customize → Site Identity.
How to Add or Change a Favicon in WordPress
WordPress calls a favicon a Site Icon. Modern WordPress versions let administrators upload one square image from General Settings, then generate the smaller browser and app icon sizes automatically.
| WordPress setup | Where to change the favicon |
|---|---|
| WordPress 6.5 or later | Settings → General → Site Icon |
| WordPress 4.3 through 6.4 | Appearance → Customize → Site Identity |
| Custom or headless setup | Theme controls, a header integration, or favicon HTML |
Step 1: Prepare a 512x512 WordPress Favicon
Start with a square PNG that is at least 512x512 pixels. WordPress recommends PNG for the source file. Use a simple logo, letter, or symbol that remains clear when WordPress scales it down for a browser tab.
Use our favicon converter
to prepare an existing logo, or the
text favicon generator
to create an icon from initials. If you already downloaded a
favicon.io package, android-chrome-512x512.png is a
practical source image.
Step 2: Open WordPress General Settings
Sign in to the WordPress administration dashboard. For WordPress 6.5 or later, open Settings → General and scroll to the Site Icon setting.
WordPress moved the Site Icon control from the Customizer to General Settings in version 6.5. This is why older tutorials may point to a different menu.
Step 3: Choose the Site Icon
Click Choose a Site Icon. Upload the square image from your computer or select it from the Media Library, then confirm the image.
Step 4: Crop the Image if Needed
If WordPress opens a cropping screen, keep the important part of the logo centered inside the square preview. If the source file is already square, use the full image without cutting off any artwork.
Step 5: Save and Check the Live Site
Save the General Settings page, open the public site in a new private window, and look at the browser tab. Then enter the live URL in our favicon checker to verify that the WordPress favicon and touch icons are reachable.
Older WordPress Versions and Classic Themes
On WordPress 4.3 through 6.4, or when a classic theme still exposes the legacy control, open Appearance → Customize → Site Identity. Select the Site Icon, upload a 512x512 image, and click Publish.
If both menu paths are available, prefer Settings → General. Both controls manage the same WordPress Site Icon rather than two separate favicons.
How to Change or Remove a WordPress Favicon
Return to the Site Icon setting and use the available change or remove control. Choose a replacement image and save the page to change the favicon. Remove the Site Icon only if you want WordPress to fall back to a generic browser icon.
After replacing an icon, use a private window or a different device to check the result. Browsers can continue showing an old favicon after the WordPress page and other assets have updated.
Manual Favicon HTML for Custom WordPress Setups
Most sites should use the built-in Site Icon setting. A custom,
headless, or heavily modified theme may instead need favicon
files and link tags added to the document
<head>.
Add the tags through a child theme, theme hook, or trusted header integration so a theme update does not erase them:
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any">
<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="/site.webmanifest">
Avoid editing a parent theme's header.php directly.
A theme update can overwrite that change.
Troubleshooting WordPress Favicons
- The Site Icon setting is missing: Check Settings → General on WordPress 6.5 or later. On an older version, check Appearance → Customize → Site Identity.
- The old favicon still appears: Test in a private window, then clear the browser, WordPress page cache, and CDN cache.
- The image is rejected or crops badly: Upload a square image that is at least 512x512 pixels and keep the artwork away from the outer edges.
- Only some pages show the new icon: Purge full-page caches and confirm that a plugin or custom template is not outputting a second favicon tag.
- Google still shows the old favicon: Verify the live homepage with the favicon checker, then request indexing in Google Search Console. Search results may update later than browser tabs.
WordPress Favicon FAQ
What size should a WordPress favicon be?
WordPress recommends a square Site Icon that is at least 512x512 pixels. WordPress uses that source image to generate smaller icon sizes for browsers and devices.
Is the WordPress Site Icon the same as a favicon?
Yes. Site Icon is WordPress terminology for the image used as the website favicon and app icon. Setting it updates the icon metadata WordPress outputs for browsers and devices.
Do I need a WordPress favicon plugin?
No. WordPress has included Site Icon support since version 4.3. A plugin is only necessary when a custom setup needs additional formats or behavior beyond the built-in control.
Why is my WordPress favicon not updating?
Browser, page-cache, and CDN caching are the most common causes. Save the Site Icon, purge each cache layer, and check the live site in a private window.
See the official WordPress Site Icon documentation for the current administration controls.