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PEF to ICO Converter

Convert PEF to ICO online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.

Free to useNo file stored beyond 1 hourEncrypted over TLS 1.2/1.3No watermarks

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How it works

Three steps to your converted file

Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.

01

Upload your file

Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.

02

Choose an output format

Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.

03

Convert & download

Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.

What is a PEF file?

The Pentax Electronic File (PEF) is a proprietary raw image format developed by Pentax (now a subsidiary of Ricoh) for its digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. Based on the TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) structure/EP standard, PEF files store unprocessed sensor data captured directly from the camera's CCD or CMOS sensor, retaining a higher dynamic range and color depth (12-bit or 14-bit) than compressed JPEG counterparts. The format encompasses metadata such as ISO settings, shutter speed, and white balance, often employing proprietary lossless compression to manage file size while preserving absolute data integrity for post-processing.

How to open a PEF file

Operating systems including Windows and macOS offer limited native previewing of PEF files through built-in raw codec packs, though support varies by camera model. For comprehensive editing and non-destructive processing, dedicated raw converters are required. Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw are the industry standards for PEF manipulation; free open-source alternatives such as Darktable and RawTherapee utilize the dcraw library to interpret the specific sensor data.

PEF Technical Info

Full Name
Pentax Electronic File
Developed By
Pentax (Ricoh Imaging)
Initial Release
2003
MIME Type
image/x-pentax-pef

What is an ICO file?

The ICO format is an image container specifically designed for Microsoft Windows to store icons for executable files, folders, and applications. Introduced with Windows 1.0, it can encapsulate multiple raster images of varying dimensions and color depths (specifically BMP or PNG frames) within a single file to support dynamic scaling across different display resolutions. The structure comprises an ICONDIR header referencing one or more ICONDIRENTRY directory entries, allowing the operating system to select the appropriate 16x16, 32x32, or 48x48 pixel resource based on the current UI scaling settings.

How to open an ICO file

ICO files are natively supported by the Microsoft Windows operating system, which automatically renders them in the File Explorer and taskbar. On macOS, Apple Preview handles the format natively. For editing or detailed inspection of the contained bitmap layers, raster graphics editors such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop (via plugin), or Paint.NET are required. Web browsers also natively render ICO files when they are designated as favicons.

ICO Technical Info

Full Name
Microsoft Icon File
Developed By
Microsoft
Initial Release
1985
MIME Type
image/vnd.microsoft.icon

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Why RunConvert

The fastest way to convert any file

Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.

Convert PEF to ICO in seconds

Every PEF to ICO conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.

Fast, cloud-powered

No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.

Secure & private

Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.

Free - no account needed

Convert without creating an account - no credit card, no trial clock. Sign in only if you want history and higher daily limits.

Developer API

Convert PEF to ICO via API

Automate PEF to ICO conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.

# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tag": "pef-to-ico",
    "tasks": {
      "upload-file": {
        "operation": "import/upload"
      },
      "convert": {
        "operation": "convert",
        "input": "upload-file",
        "output_format": "ico"
      },
      "export-result": {
        "operation": "export/url",
        "input": "convert"
      }
    }
  }'

# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.pef

# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.