WordPress
How to Change the Favicon (Site Icon) in WordPress
Short answer
WordPress calls the favicon the Site Icon. Upload a square image of at least 512×512 px under Settings → General → Site Icon, or Appearance → Customize → Site Identity on classic themes. WordPress makes the smaller sizes and adds the tags for you.
Checked against WordPress.org: Create a favicon and WordPress.com: Site Icon in October 2026.
Requirements
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square (you'll be asked to crop otherwise) |
| Size | At least 512×512 px |
| Format | PNG or SVG most common; any valid favicon format works |
| Shows in | Browser tabs, bookmarks, search results, home screen icons |
Steps
| Where | Path |
|---|---|
| Classic theme | Appearance → Customize → Site Identity → Site Icon → Select image |
| Any theme, recent WordPress | Settings → General → Site Icon |
| WordPress.com, block theme | Appearance → Editor → Identity → Site Icon |
| WordPress.com, classic theme | Settings → General → Choose a Site Icon, then Set as Site Icon |
Crop if asked, then save. To remove it: Settings → General → Remove Site Icon.
favicon.ico for feed readers
Some feed readers and apps only fetch /favicon.ico. Save an ICO named favicon.ico (lowercase) and upload it to the site root by SFTP. On WordPress.com that needs the Business or Commerce plan.
WordPress favicon not changing: fixes
| You see | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Old icon in the tab | Browser or caching-plugin cache | Clear the plugin cache, then use a private window |
| Theme's icon still shows | Theme or plugin outputs its own favicon tags | Remove the theme/plugin favicon setting |
| Feed reader shows the old icon | Readers keep downloaded icons | Update /favicon.ico; wait |
| Upload asks to crop | Image isn't square | Upload a square 512×512 |
FAQ
What size is the WordPress site icon?
Square, at least 512×512 px.
Do I need a plugin for a favicon?
No. The built-in Site Icon setting handles it.
Why doesn't my new favicon show in Google yet?
Google picks it up when it recrawls your home page, which can take several days to several weeks. It isn't guaranteed to show.