Icons are the universal language, whether it's a traffic sign, the Nike logo or a web icon, these symbols cross borders because they are simple and one can easily recognize their meaning.

Web Icon

A web icon is a small picture or symbol that can represent: a file, action, service, object, function, the list goes on. The term comes from the Greek word eikon, which means likeness, image or portrait.

Common icon sizes for the web are:

Icons are a great way to portray an idea quickly. There are icons that are so widely used on the web that many people no longer need text alongside them to know what they mean. Here are a few examples:

Icons should be simply drawn and have adequate contrast to view at smaller sizes. The smaller the icon, the less detail it should have. Here's an example:

The same icon at different sizes will have varying degrees of detail in order to maintain its shape.

Have fun adding icons to your site beside links, or in callout boxes to draw attention to important or interesting content.