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App Icon Sizes: Complete Guide for Every Platform [2026]

The definitive app icon size reference for iOS, Android, macOS, watchOS, and web. Every dimension, every use case, every platform in one interactive guide.

Maya Chen, Senior App DesignerMarch 25, 2026

App Icon Sizes: The Complete Reference for Every Platform [2026]

App icon sizes range from 16x16 pixels for browser favicons to 1024x1024 pixels for App Store and Play Store submissions. iOS requires a single 1024x1024 source icon that Xcode automatically scales, Android needs a 512x512 Play Store icon plus adaptive icon layers at six density buckets, and web apps require at least seven sizes from 16x16 to 512x512 for full PWA and favicon support.

Last updated: March 2026 | By IconikAI Team

Getting app icon sizes wrong causes real problems. A missing size means a blurry, auto-scaled icon on certain devices. An incorrect aspect ratio triggers a build error or store rejection. And a low-resolution icon on the App Store listing page makes your app look amateur before anyone even tries it.

This guide is the single reference you need. Every icon size for every major platform is listed below with exact pixel dimensions, use cases, and export requirements. Bookmark this page. You will come back to it.

What App Icon Sizes Does iOS Require?

iOS uses a single 1024x1024 pixel source icon. Starting with Xcode 15, Apple generates all smaller sizes automatically from this single asset. However, you should still understand every output size because each one appears in a different context, and knowing these contexts helps you design icons that look sharp everywhere.

iOS App Icon Size Table

Size (px)ScaleUse CaseWhere It AppearsRequired
1024 x 10241xApp StoreApp Store listing page, search resultsYes
180 x 1803xiPhone App IconHome screen on 3x Retina displays (iPhone 16 Pro, 15 Pro, etc.)Auto-generated
120 x 1202xiPhone App IconHome screen on 2x Retina displays (iPhone SE, older models)Auto-generated
120 x 1203xSpotlight SearchSearch results on 3x Retina iPhonesAuto-generated
87 x 873xSettingsSettings app on 3x Retina iPhonesAuto-generated
80 x 802xSpotlight SearchSearch results on 2x Retina iPhonesAuto-generated
60 x 601xiPhone App IconHome screen base size (scaled up)Auto-generated
58 x 582xSettingsSettings app on 2x Retina iPhonesAuto-generated
40 x 402xSpotlight SearchSearch results base size (2x devices)Auto-generated
29 x 291xSettingsSettings app base sizeAuto-generated
20 x 201xNotificationsNotification center base sizeAuto-generated

iOS Icon Design Rules

  • Format: PNG only, no transparency, no alpha channel
  • Shape: Provide a square image. iOS automatically applies the rounded rectangle (superellipse) mask
  • Color space: sRGB or Display P3 recommended
  • No embedded text at small sizes: Text below 80x80 becomes unreadable. Design your icon to communicate through shape and color
  • Avoid photos: Simple, bold designs scale better than photographic content

iPad App Icon Sizes

iPad icons follow the same source-file approach but render at different sizes on the home screen.

Size (px)ScaleUse CaseWhere It Appears
1024 x 10241xApp StoreSame source as iPhone
167 x 1672xiPad Pro App IconHome screen on iPad Pro
152 x 1522xiPad App IconHome screen on standard iPad
80 x 802xSpotlightiPad search results
76 x 761xiPad App IconHome screen base size
58 x 582xSettingsiPad Settings app
40 x 401xSpotlightiPad search base size
29 x 291xSettingsiPad Settings base size
20 x 201xNotificationsiPad notification center

What App Icon Sizes Does Android Require?

Android uses a density-independent pixel system with six density buckets. You need to provide icons at each density level for crisp rendering across the massive range of Android devices.

Android Launcher Icon Sizes

Size (px)DensityScale FactorDPIUse Case
512 x 512N/AN/AN/AGoogle Play Store listing
48 x 48mdpi1x160Baseline launcher icon
72 x 72hdpi1.5x240High-density screens
96 x 96xhdpi2x320Extra-high-density screens
144 x 144xxhdpi3x480Extra-extra-high-density
192 x 192xxxhdpi4x640Extra-extra-extra-high-density

Android Adaptive Icons

Since Android 8.0 (API 26), Android uses adaptive icons composed of two layers: a foreground and a background. The system applies different masks (circle, squircle, rounded square, teardrop) based on the device manufacturer.

LayerSize (px)Safe ZoneNotes
Foreground108 x 108 dp (432 x 432 px at xxxhdpi)72 x 72 dp centeredContent outside safe zone may be clipped
Background108 x 108 dp (432 x 432 px at xxxhdpi)Full bleedCan be a solid color, gradient, or pattern
Combined display72 x 72 dp visibleVaries by mask shapeSystem crops to 72 dp visible area

Adaptive icon density exports:

DensityForeground & Background SizeOutput Directory
mdpi108 x 108 pxres/mipmap-mdpi/
hdpi162 x 162 pxres/mipmap-hdpi/
xhdpi216 x 216 pxres/mipmap-xhdpi/
xxhdpi324 x 324 pxres/mipmap-xxhdpi/
xxxhdpi432 x 432 pxres/mipmap-xxxhdpi/

Google Play Store Icon Requirements

RequirementSpecification
Size512 x 512 px
FormatPNG (32-bit with alpha)
Color spacesRGB
Maximum file size1024 KB
ShapeFull square (Google applies mask)
TransparencyAllowed but not recommended

Android Notification Icon Sizes

Size (px)DensityNotes
24 x 24mdpiWhite silhouette on transparent background
36 x 36hdpi
48 x 48xhdpi
72 x 72xxhdpi
96 x 96xxxhdpi

What App Icon Sizes Does macOS Require?

macOS icons are provided as a single 1024x1024 source in an .icns file or asset catalog. Xcode generates intermediate sizes, but knowing the full set matters for quality control.

macOS App Icon Size Table

Size (px)ScaleUse CaseWhere It Appears
1024 x 10242x (512pt)App StoreMac App Store listing
512 x 5121x (512pt)FinderLarge icon view, Get Info window
512 x 5122x (256pt)Retina FinderFinder on Retina displays
256 x 2561x (256pt)FinderMedium icon view
256 x 2562x (128pt)Retina FinderMedium icon view on Retina
128 x 1281x (128pt)FinderList and column view large
64 x 642x (32pt)Retina DockDock and Finder on Retina
32 x 321x (32pt)DockFinder list view, Dock small
32 x 322x (16pt)Retina MenuMenu bar and Finder on Retina
16 x 161x (16pt)Menu BarMenu bar, Finder list view

macOS Icon Design Differences

macOS icons differ from iOS in several important ways:

  • Shape: macOS uses rounded rectangles but with a different corner radius than iOS. Do not reuse iOS icons directly
  • Perspective: macOS icons traditionally use a slight top-down perspective with a subtle shadow. iOS icons are flat
  • Detail: The 1024x1024 macOS icon appears much larger on screen than its iOS counterpart, so you can include more detail
  • Transparency: macOS icons support transparency outside the rounded rectangle shape

What App Icon Sizes Does watchOS Require?

watchOS icons appear on the watch face, in notifications, and in the companion iPhone app. Each watch size requires specific dimensions.

watchOS App Icon Size Table

Size (px)ScaleUse CaseWhere It Appears
1024 x 10241xApp StoreWatch App Store listing
216 x 2162x (108pt)Apple Watch Ultra 2Home screen on 49mm watch
196 x 1962x (98pt)Watch Series 10 (46mm)Home screen on 46mm watch
188 x 1882x (94pt)Watch Series 10 (42mm)Home screen on 42mm watch
172 x 1722x (86pt)Watch Series 9 (45mm)Home screen on 45mm watch
100 x 1002x (50pt)Long Look NotificationFull notification view on larger watches
88 x 882x (44pt)Long Look NotificationFull notification view on smaller watches
80 x 802x (40pt)Home Screen (legacy)Older watch home screen grid
58 x 582x (29pt)Companion SettingsiPhone Watch app settings
48 x 482x (24pt)Short Look NotificationBrief notification banner

watchOS Icon Design Rules

  • Shape: watchOS automatically applies a circular mask. Design within a circle
  • No transparency: Must be opaque, no alpha channel
  • Simplicity is critical: At 48x48 pixels, only the boldest shapes are recognizable
  • Flat design only: No perspective or 3D effects. The watch screen is too small
  • Test at actual size: Preview your icon on a real watch or accurate simulator. What looks good at 1024x1024 may be unrecognizable at 48x48

What Icon Sizes Do Web Apps and PWAs Need?

Web apps require icons for browser tabs (favicons), home screen bookmarks, Progressive Web App (PWA) manifests, and various platform-specific contexts.

Complete Web Icon Size Reference

Size (px)FormatUse CaseWhere It Appears
512 x 512PNGPWA Splash ScreenAndroid PWA install splash screen
192 x 192PNGPWA ManifestAndroid home screen, PWA install prompt
180 x 180PNGApple Touch IconiOS Safari Add to Home Screen
152 x 152PNGiPad Touch IconOlder iPad home screen bookmark
144 x 144PNGWindows TileWindows 8/10 Start screen tile
120 x 120PNGiPhone Touch IconOlder iPhone home screen bookmark
96 x 96PNGAndroid ChromeAndroid Chrome bookmark, older versions
72 x 72PNGiPad Touch Icon (legacy)Older iPad home screen
48 x 48PNGAndroid Chrome (small)Small Android contexts
32 x 32PNG/ICOFavicon (standard)Browser tab, bookmarks bar
16 x 16PNG/ICOFavicon (small)Browser tab (standard resolution)

Favicon Implementation

Your website should include multiple favicon references for maximum compatibility:

favicon.ico: The classic format. Include both 16x16 and 32x32 sizes in a single .ico file for legacy browser support.

apple-touch-icon.png: A 180x180 PNG that iOS Safari uses when someone adds your site to their home screen. Place it in your site root.

PWA manifest icons: Your web app manifest (manifest.json) should reference at least 192x192 and 512x512 PNG icons for Android PWA installation.

SVG favicon: Modern browsers support SVG favicons, which scale perfectly to any size. Include one alongside your PNG favicons for future-proofing.

PWA Manifest Icon Requirements

Property192x192 Icon512x512 Icon
src/icons/icon-192.png/icons/icon-512.png
sizes192x192512x512
typeimage/pngimage/png
purposeany maskableany maskable

What Are the Icon Size Requirements for Other Platforms?

Microsoft Store (Windows)

Size (px)Use Case
300 x 300Store listing (minimum)
1240 x 1240Store listing (recommended)
150 x 150Medium tile
71 x 71Small tile
310 x 310Large tile
310 x 150Wide tile
44 x 44App list (with 16, 24, 32, 48, 256 scale targets)

Amazon Appstore

Size (px)Use Case
512 x 512Store listing icon
114 x 114Small icon

Samsung Galaxy Store

Size (px)Use Case
512 x 512Store listing icon
1024 x 500Feature graphic

How Should You Design Icons That Scale Well?

Designing a single icon that looks good from 16x16 to 1024x1024 requires deliberate choices at the design stage.

Start at the largest size. Design your icon at 1024x1024 first. This gives you the full canvas to work with. Then check it at progressively smaller sizes.

Use simple, bold shapes. Complex details disappear below 64x64. Your icon's core identity should be communicable with just two or three shapes and two or three colors.

Avoid thin lines and small text. A 1-pixel line at 1024x1024 becomes invisible at 32x32. Use strokes that are at least 3 percent of the icon width for visibility at all sizes.

Test on actual devices. Simulators are helpful, but testing on a real phone home screen reveals scaling issues that are hard to catch on a large monitor.

Use a grid system. Both Apple and Google provide icon grid templates. These grids help you align your design elements to standard proportions that look balanced at every size.

Design PrincipleWhy It MattersSize Threshold
Bold silhouetteRecognizable at any sizeBelow 48x48
Limited color paletteMaintains clarity when scaledBelow 64x64
No thin strokesDisappear at small sizesBelow 32x32
No text in iconUnreadable when scaled downBelow 80x80
High contrastVisible on any wallpaperAll sizes
Centered focal pointWorks with all mask shapesAll sizes (critical for adaptive)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard app icon size for iOS?

The standard iOS app icon size is 1024x1024 pixels. This single source image is required for the App Store listing, and Xcode automatically generates all smaller sizes (180x180, 120x120, 87x87, 80x80, 60x60, 58x58, 40x40, 29x29, and 20x20) from it. You only need to provide the one 1024x1024 PNG file.

What is the standard app icon size for Android?

The Google Play Store requires a 512x512 pixel icon. For the launcher icon displayed on device home screens, you need to provide icons at six density levels: 48x48 (mdpi), 72x72 (hdpi), 96x96 (xhdpi), 144x144 (xxhdpi), and 192x192 (xxxhdpi). Android adaptive icons use 108dp layers at each density.

Do I need different icons for iPhone and iPad?

No. Since Xcode 15, both iPhone and iPad use the same 1024x1024 source icon. Xcode generates the device-specific sizes automatically: 180x180 and 120x120 for iPhone home screens, 167x167 for iPad Pro, and 152x152 for standard iPad.

What format should app icons be in?

Use PNG format for all platforms. iOS requires PNG with no transparency and no alpha channel. Android accepts PNG with optional alpha for the Play Store icon, but adaptive icon layers should be opaque. Web favicons can use PNG, ICO, or SVG formats for maximum browser compatibility.

What is an adaptive icon on Android?

An adaptive icon is an Android icon composed of two separate layers: a foreground (your logo or symbol) and a background (a solid color, gradient, or pattern). The Android system applies different masks based on the device manufacturer, creating circles, rounded squares, squircles, or other shapes. Each layer is 108x108 dp, with 72x72 dp visible after masking.

How do I resize my app icon for all platforms?

The most efficient approach is to design at 1024x1024 pixels and then export at each required size. Tools like IconikAI automatically generate every required size for iOS, Android, macOS, watchOS, and web from a single upload. Manual resizing in Photoshop or Figma works but requires creating dozens of individual exports.

Why does my app icon look blurry on some devices?

Blurry icons result from missing density-specific assets. If you only provide a 512x512 icon, devices that need 192x192 will scale it down, which usually looks fine. But devices needing 48x48 may not scale cleanly, creating blur. Always provide icons at every required density bucket, or use a tool that generates all sizes automatically.

What is the safe zone for Android adaptive icons?

The safe zone is the inner 72x72 dp area (66.67 percent) of the 108x108 dp icon canvas. Content outside this zone may be clipped by the device's icon mask. Keep all important visual elements within this centered area to ensure they appear regardless of the mask shape applied by the device manufacturer.


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Related resources:

app icon sizesios developmentandroid developmentmacos developmentwatchos developmentweb developmentapp designicon reference