Can I convert ICO to PPM / PNM on iPhone, Android, Mac or Windows?

Yes. ConvertPixels works in Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on any device, so you can convert ICO to PPM / PNM on your phone or computer without installing an app.

Is there a free ICO to PPM converter with no sign-up?

Yes, this one. Converting ICO to PPM on ConvertPixels is free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily cap. Convert up to 30 files per batch, each up to 50 MB.

Can I convert ICO to PPM without losing quality?

Yes. PPM is a lossless format, so your converted file is pixel-for-pixel the same as the ICO. (It can't add back detail the original never had.)

Does PPM keep the transparent background of my ICO?

No - PPM has no transparency, so see-through areas get a solid fill. That's white unless you pick another background color in the options.

Can I batch convert ICO to PPM?

Yes. Add up to 30 ICO files and convert them in one batch. You can even choose a different output format for individual files, then download them separately or together as a ZIP.

Is it safe to upload ICO files to ConvertPixels?

Yes. Uploads use an encrypted connection and are processed automatically - nobody views them. Your originals are deleted straight after conversion and the results within an hour, or instantly if you click "Delete from server now".

Convert

ICO to PPM / PNM Converter

Convert ICO images to PPM / PNM online in seconds - free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Batch convert up to 30 files and download them together as a ZIP.

Free
No sign-up
No watermark
Private by design

Choose filesor drag and drop files hereUp to 30 files · 50 MB each

Image Converter

How to use it

1
Drop your ICO files onto the converter
2
Press Convert to turn them into PPM / PNM
3
Download your PPM / PNM images one by one or as a ZIP

ICO to PPM / PNM

Why convert ICO to PPM?

ICO and PPM are both lossless formats. PPM is the usual choice for simple uncompressed images for scientific and developer tools. ICO can have a transparent background, PPM can't.

Where PPM works best

PPM is ideal for simple uncompressed images for scientific and developer tools. Converting gives you a file that works in the apps and websites that ask for PPM.

ICO vs PPM / PNM: what's the difference?

Property	ICO	PPM / PNM
Compression type	Lossless (exact pixels, larger files)	Lossless (exact pixels, larger files)
Transparent background	Yes	No
Animation	No	No
Where it opens	All browsers as a site icon	None
Used for	Website favicons and Windows icons	Simple uncompressed images for scientific and developer tools

What is an ICO file?

ICO is the icon format of Microsoft Windows and the classic format for website favicons - the little image in a browser tab. One ICO file can hold several sizes (16 × 16, 32 × 32, 48 × 48 and more), so the icon looks sharp everywhere.

ICO supports transparency, so icons can have rounded or irregular shapes. Modern sites often add PNG and SVG favicons too, but favicon.ico is still the universal fallback.

How to open an ICO file

Windows shows ICO files in File Explorer and opens them in Photos; Mac Preview opens them too. GIMP and online editors can edit them. To make one, convert a square PNG - or use the Favicon Generator for a complete set.

Extension: .ico
Sizes: Several in one file (16-256 px)
Transparency: Yes
Best for: Favicons, Windows icons

What is a PPM / PNM file?

PPM, PGM, PBM and PNM are the Netpbm formats: deliberately simple, uncompressed image files from the 1980s. They store pixels as plain numbers, which makes them easy for programs to read and write.

You'll mostly meet them in scientific computing, image-processing scripts and developer tools - rarely in everyday use.

How to open a PPM / PNM file

GIMP, IrfanView, XnView and Photoshop open Netpbm files, as do Linux image viewers. Windows Photos and browsers can't, so convert to PNG for a lossless, much smaller copy.

Extensions: .ppm, .pgm, .pbm, .pnm
Compression: None
Best for: Scientific and developer tools
Family: Netpbm