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Resize an image to 16×16 pixels
To resize an image to 16×16 px, enter 16 × 16 px and save it as PNG. Shown at 16 CSS px it is sharp on a 1× screen; a 2× screen needs 32×32 px for the same spot. Cropping a 4:3 photo to fill the 1:1 square removes 25%.
16×16 px
PNG · no file-size limit · 16x16 px
No file-size limit is set: PixelFit saves at high quality and changes only the format and any pixel size you set.
Fit, background and padding crop to fill · white background
Saving presets is part of Pro.
The result appears here: the exact byte count, pixel size and quality, the size before and after, a preview and a download button.
The batch kit (one ZIP for up to 500 photos, several photos merged into one PDF) is part of Pro.
16×16 at a glance
| Pixel size | 16×16 px (256 pixels) |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, square (width ÷ height = 1) |
| Megapixels | 0.0003 MP |
| Decoded in memory | 1 KB RGBA · 0.75 KB RGB |
| Sharp on screen at | 16×16 CSS px at 1×, 8×8 at 2×, 5×5 at 3× density |
What 16×16 means in pixels
16×16 is a square, 16 pixels on each side, 256 pixels in total (0.0003 megapixels). Its sides reduce to 1:1 (1 as a decimal), so any picture cropped to 1:1 scales to it without distortion.
At 16 px across every single pixel is visible, so start from a sharp original with bold shapes and hard edges; a 12 MP phone frame has 47,628 times as many pixels as this target. On a 2× (high-density) screen this file is sharp at 8 CSS px, on a 3× phone at 5 CSS px; a print at 300 DPI would be only 1.4 mm wide, so it is a screen-only size.
Where 16×16 is used
Each line comes from the page listed under Sources, checked October 2026. Platform sizes change, so check the source before you rely on it.
- Favicon file: Google Search accepts square favicons from 8×8 px but recommends larger than 48×48 px.
Getting 16×16 from a phone, camera or screenshot
Filling 16×16 from a 12 MP phone photo (4032×3024, 4:3) loses the least (25%); a vertical phone video frame (1080×1920, 9:16) loses the most (43.8%). "Fit inside" keeps the whole picture instead and the file comes out at the size in the last column; "Pad with colour" adds bars to reach the full 16×16. From the phone photo PixelFit takes the 3024×3024 crop through 1512×1512, 756×756, 378×378, 189×189, 94×94, 47×47 and 23×23 before the last step to 16×16, so each pass blends neighbouring pixels instead of skipping them.
| Starting image | Crop to fill keeps | Area lost | Scale | Fit inside gives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 MP phone photo (4032×3024, 4:3) | 3024×3024 (left and right cut) | 25% | 0.005× (reduced) | 16×12 |
| 24 MP camera photo (6000×4000, 3:2) | 4000×4000 (left and right cut) | 33.3% | 0.004× (reduced) | 16×11 |
| Full HD screenshot (1920×1080, 16:9) | 1080×1080 (left and right cut) | 43.8% | 0.015× (reduced) | 16×9 |
| Vertical phone video frame (1080×1920, 9:16) | 1080×1080 (top and bottom cut) | 43.8% | 0.015× (reduced) | 9×16 |
16×16 on high-density screens
A screen with a device pixel ratio of 2 draws every CSS pixel with 2×2 device pixels, so an icon shown at 16 CSS px needs a file of 32×32 there.
| Device pixel ratio | 16×16 is sharp up to | File needed for a 16 CSS px slot |
|---|---|---|
| 1× | 16×16 CSS px | 16×16 px |
| 1.5× | 10.7×10.7 CSS px | 24×24 px |
| 2× | 8×8 CSS px | 32×32 px |
| 3× | 5.3×5.3 CSS px | 48×48 px |
| 4× | 4×4 CSS px | 64×64 px |
Shrinking a master icon to 16×16
Icons are best drawn large and reduced. PixelFit halves the master while both sides stay at or above 16 px, then makes one last step to 16×16; each pass blends neighbouring pixels, which keeps thin strokes from breaking up.
| Master | Reduction | Passes PixelFit runs |
|---|---|---|
| 1024×1024 | 0.02× (64 times smaller) | 6: 512×512 → 256×256 → 128×128 → 64×64 → 32×32 → 16×16 |
| 512×512 | 0.03× (32 times smaller) | 5: 256×256 → 128×128 → 64×64 → 32×32 → 16×16 |
| 256×256 | 0.06× (16 times smaller) | 4: 128×128 → 64×64 → 32×32 → 16×16 |
Making a 16×16 icon
From a 512×512 master icon the reduction is 0.03×, so simplify the artwork first: fine lines under 2 px vanish. Save icons as PNG to keep transparency and crisp edges.
That makes 16×16 a companion size rather than the only favicon: publish a 48×48 or larger file next to it and list both in your HTML.
Other 1:1 sizes
These targets share the exact 1:1 ratio of 16×16, so resizing between them is a pure scale with nothing cropped.
| Size | Scale from 16×16 | Megapixels |
|---|---|---|
| 32×32 favicon | 2× | 0.001 MP |
| 48×48 icon | 3× | 0.0023 MP |
| 50×50 square | 3.13× | 0.0025 MP |
| 64×64 icon | 4× | 0.0041 MP |
| 96×96 icon | 6× | 0.0092 MP |
| 100×100 square | 6.25× | 0.01 MP |
| 128×128 app icon | 8× | 0.0164 MP |
| 144×144 app icon | 9× | 0.0207 MP |
How to resize a picture to 16×16
-
Add the picture
Drop, paste or pick the photo in the PixelFit panel at the top of this page; it is decoded in your browser and never uploaded.
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Set the size
Enter 16 as the width and 16 as the height in pixels (the panel is already set to 16×16).
-
Choose how it fits
Choose crop to fill to keep the 1:1 frame without stretching (a phone photo loses 25%, left and right cut). Fit inside keeps the whole picture as a 16×12 file instead; Pad with colour puts that on a full 16×16 canvas.
-
Pick the format and download
Choose PNG for an icon, then download the 16x16 file.
Sources
- Define a favicon to show in search results, Google Search Central, checked 31 October 2026: developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/favicon-in-s…
Frequently asked questions
How do I resize an image to 16x16?
Open the image in the PixelFit panel on this page, set 16 × 16 px, choose crop to fill so nothing is stretched and download. From a 12 MP phone photo that crops 25% (left and right cut) and scales the rest by 0.005×.
What aspect ratio is 16x16?
16x16 has an aspect ratio of 1:1: square, width ÷ height = 1. Sizes with the same ratio include 32×32 favicon, 48×48 icon and 50×50 square.
Which other icon sizes go with 16x16?
For a 16 CSS px slot, a 2× screen needs 32×32 and a 3× phone 48×48. 16x16 is at or below the 48×48 px that Google Search recommends exceeding for favicons, so add a larger file.