How to convert ICO to DDS
To convert ICO to DDS, upload your ICO file, choose DDS as the output format and press Convert. The finished DDS file is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds, free, with no watermark and no sign-up. Your file is deleted from our server about 30 minutes after the conversion.
This free online converter changes ICO images into DDS files in seconds, with no software to install and no watermark. You can convert several files at once, resize them and choose the quality for formats that support it. Metadata such as location tags is removed from the output for privacy.
Reasons to switch from ICO to DDS
- Loads straight to the GPU
- Stores mipmaps
- Standard for game textures
- Works with: Photoshop (with plugin), GIMP, Paint.NET, Unity and Unreal
What to expect from this conversion
- DDS can be saved lossy or lossless. Quality 100 gives a lossless result where the format supports it, and lower values give smaller files.
- Transparency is kept in the DDS file.
- Browsers do not display DDS files, so use it in editors, print workflows or development tools rather than on a web page.
ICO vs DDS
| Property | ICO | DDS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Windows Icon | DirectDraw Surface |
| Released | 1985, Microsoft | 1999, Microsoft |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No |
| Bit depth | up to 32-bit | 8-bit and compressed |
| Shown in browsers | Yes | No |
| Best for | website favicons; Windows application icons | game modding and textures; DirectX applications |
Steps to convert ICO to DDS
- Drop your ICO image file onto the converter, or click to choose it.
- Check that DDS is selected as the target and adjust the options if you want.
- Press Convert, then download your new DDS file when it finishes.
Tips for the best result
- Use quality 80 to 90 for photos: it is visually close to the original at a much smaller size.
- Set a width if the image will be shown on a small screen, which also reduces the file size.
- Choose a background colour before converting transparent images to a format without transparency.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert ICO to DDS?
Drop your ICO files on the converter, confirm that DDS is the target and press Convert. Download each file or the whole batch as a ZIP.
Is the ICO to DDS converter free?
Yes. It is free with no watermark, no sign-up and no limit on how many images you convert. The site is supported by ads.
Does converting ICO to DDS reduce quality?
DDS can be saved lossy or lossless. Quality 100 gives a lossless result where the format supports it, and lower values give smaller files. The quality slider only affects formats that use lossy compression.
Will transparency be kept when I convert ICO to DDS?
Yes. DDS supports transparency, so transparent areas stay transparent.
Which programs open DDS files?
DDS files open in Photoshop (with plugin), GIMP, Paint.NET, Unity and Unreal.
How many images can I convert at once?
Up to 20 images per batch, each up to 60 MB. Files are deleted from the server about 30 minutes after conversion.