Best Free UI Icons for Designers & Developers

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In the fast-paced world of digital design, icons have become an essential part of every user interface. Whether you’re designing a website, a mobile app, or a complex dashboard, the use of free UI icons can dramatically improve both the look and usability of your project. 

As users demand faster, easier, and more visually appealing experiences, designers increasingly rely on UI icons free to communicate actions, statuses, and navigation options at a glance.

Today, there are countless resources offering free icons for UI design, making it easier than ever to find the perfect visual elements for any style or brand. 

By leveraging free icons for UI, you not only save time and budget but also ensure your interface remains clean, intuitive, and accessible to a broad audience. 

In this design journal, we’ll explore what UI icons are, why they matter, and how you can make the most of free UI icons in your next project.

What are UI icons?

UI icons are small, symbolic images used within digital interfaces to represent actions, features, or content in a compact and instantly recognizable way. 

Unlike text, which requires reading and interpretation, icons communicate meaning visually, often transcending language barriers and making interfaces more universally understandable. 

For example, a magnifying glass icon typically signals a search function, while a trash bin icon represents deletion.

Icons in UI design aren’t just decorative—they’re functional tools that guide users through digital products, simplify navigation, and reduce cognitive load. 

Well-designed icons enable users to qUIckly identify important actions or information, thereby enhancing the overall user experience. As digital products become more complex, the need for clear, consistent, and accessible iconography grows. 

This is where free UI icons resources become invaluable, offering designers a wide range of options to suit any project.

Importance of UI icons in design

• Instant visual communication:
  Icons serve as visual cues, conveying complex ideas or actions qUIckly and efficiently. For example, a heart icon on an e-commerce site instantly signals a wishlist or favorites section. This speed of recognition is crucial in today’s fast-moving digital environments, where users expect to understand interfaces at a glance.
• Universal language:
  Free icons for UI design act as a universal language, breaking down linguistic barriers and making interfaces accessible to users around the world. Well-known symbols like the download arrow or shopping cart are instantly recognizable, regardless of a user’s native language.
• Saves space and reduces clutter:
  Icons condense meaning into a small visual form, allowing designers to save valuable screen space, especially important for mobile and responsive designs. Instead of lengthy labels, free UI icons can represent actions in a compact, visually appealing way.
• Enhances brand identity:
  Consistently using a set of free icons for UI can reinforce your brand’s personality and visual language. Custom or branded icons help users associate certain actions or features with your product, building familiarity and trust over time.
• Improves accessibility:
  Icons, especially when paired with text labels or tooltips, make interfaces more accessible for users with reading difficulties or language barriers. High-contrast and well-designed icons can also assist users with visual impairments.

Popular free UI icon sets

The best free icons for UI design are not only visually appealing but also consistent, versatile, and easy to use across different platforms.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular and highly recommended free icon sets for UI designers, each offering unique strengths for modern digital projects.

1. Majesticons

Majesticons is a sleek and adaptable icon set crafted by Gerrit Halfmann, featuring 720 free icons available in both line and solid styles. 

Designed with a minimalist approach, Majesticons stands out for its clean geometric shapes and professional finish, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of web and UI design projects. 

Each icon is based on a 24px grid system with a 2px stroke width, ensuring consistency and scalability across your interface.

What makes Majesticons a favorite among designers is its ease of customization, especially within tools like Figma. 

The icons are MIT-licensed, meaning you can use these free icons for UI in both personal and commercial projects without worrying about legal restrictions. 

If you need even more variety, Majesticons also offers a premium pack with thousands of additional icons, but the free set alone covers most standard UI needs.

Key benefits:

• Minimal and modern design
• Two styles: line and solid
• Easy customization in Figma
• MIT license for hassle-free use
• Perfect for dashboards, apps, and websites

2. Unicons by IconScout

Unicons by IconScout is one of the most extensive free icon sets available, offering over 1,100 carefully crafted line icons for UI design. 

These icons are organized into 27 categories, making it easy to find the perfect symbol for any scenario, from navigation and social media to business and ecommerce.

The icons are designed on a 24px grid with a 1px stroke, ensuring visual harmony and scalability. You can download the entire set as SVGs or as a web font, making Unicons incredibly flexible for both designers and developers. 

While IconScout also offers a larger paid library, the free icons for UI design included in Unicons are more than sufficient for most projects.

Key benefits:

• Over 1,100 free line icons
• Organized into 27 categories
• Available as SVG and web font
• Designed for modern UI frameworks
• Free for personal and commercial use

3. Iconizer

Iconizer is a dynamic platform that provides over 1,050 free icons across four distinct styles, all easily customizable directly from the website. 

What sets Iconizer apart is its interactive customization tool, allowing you to adjust icon size, stroke weight, and color before downloading. 

This flexibility makes it a top choice for designers who want their free UI icons to perfectly match their project’s branding or theme.

All icons are available as SVGs, and you can preview every icon before downloading. Iconizer’s clean and consistent design ensures these free icons for UI will integrate seamlessly into any interface. 

For those who need even more options, a paid version offers a much larger library, but the free set is robust and versatile for most UI needs.

Key benefits:

• 1,050+ icons in four styles
• Real-time customization online
• Exports in SVG for easy integration
• Clean, consistent, and modern look
• Ideal for rapid prototyping and brand-specific designs

4. Lucide Icons

Lucide Icons is an open-source icon set that has qUIckly gained popularity among UI designers for its modern, minimalist style and robust community support. 

It is a community-driven fork of the popular Feather Icons and offers a growing library of high-quality, free icons for UI design.

Each icon is crafted to work seamlessly at small sizes, making Lucide ideal for interfaces where clarity and legibility are paramount. 

The icons are available in SVG format and can be easily integrated into projects using React, Vue, or other frameworks. 

Lucide’s open-source license allows for free use in both personal and commercial projects, making it a go-to resource for UI icons.

Key benefits:

• Community-driven and regularly updated
• Minimalist, modern design
• SVG and framework-ready formats
• Open-source and free for all uses
• Great for web, mobile, and app interfaces

5. Streamline Core Line Icons

Streamline Core Line Icons is a comprehensive set of free UI icons designed with clarity and versatility in mind. 

This icon set features a wide range of symbols, from basic navigation to complex actions, all created with a consistent line style that fits seamlessly into modern UI design trends.

Streamline’s icons are known for their attention to detail and pixel-perfect alignment, making them a favorite among designers looking for free icons for UI that maintain a professional and cohesive appearance. 

The free version provides a generous selection suitable for most projects, while premium options are available for those needing an even broader range.

Key benefits:

• Wide selection of line icons
• Pixel-perfect and consistent
• Free for personal and commercial use
• Ideal for web, app, and dashboard designs
• Easily customizable for different themes

6. Tabler Icons

Tabler Icons is one of the most robust and versatile collections of free UI icons available today, offering over 5,900 meticulously designed vector icons. 

Each icon is crafted on a 24×24 grid with a 2px stroke, ensuring a modern, clean, and consistent look across all your projects. 

Tabler Icons is open source and completely free for both personal and commercial use, so you can use these UI icons free without any licensing worries.

One of the standout features of Tabler Icons is its high level of customization. Designers can easily adjust the size, stroke, and color to match their brand or design system. 

The icons are available in multiple formats, including SVG, React, Vue, SolidJS, and even as a Figma plugin, making them extremely flexible for any workflow. 

Whether you’re working on a dashboard, SaaS platform, or a mobile app, Tabler Icons provides a comprehensive library to cover virtually every UI need.

Key benefits:

• Massive library with 5,900+ icons
• Fully customizable size, color, and stroke
• Multiple formats: SVG, React, Vue, Figma, and more
• Open source and free for all uses
• Ideal for modern, minimalist, and data-heavy interfaces

7. Ionicons

Ionicons is a popular open-source icon set created by the team behind the Ionic Framework, featuring over 700 free icons in three distinct styles: outline, filled, and sharp. 

These free icons for UI design are especially favored for their modern, mobile-friendly look and their seamless integration with web and mobile frameworks.

Ionicons are designed on a 24px grid, ensuring clarity and consistency at any size. The icon set includes a wide range of symbols, from standard UI actions to useful social media icons, making it a go-to resource for designers and developers alike. 

With an MIT license, you can use these free UI icons for both personal and commercial projects without any restrictions. 

Ionicons also offers a Figma plugin, allowing designers to search and insert icons directly from within their design environment.

Key benefits:

• 700+ icons in outline, filled, and sharp styles
• Optimized for web and mobile interfaces
• MIT license for free commercial use
• Easy integration with Figma and development frameworks
• Includes essential UI and social media icons

8. Remix Icon

Remix Icon is a comprehensive open-source icon library known for its elegant and versatile design. With thousands of free icons for UI, Remix Icon covers a wide array of categories, from navigation and media controls to business and system symbols. 

The icons are designed on a 24×24 grid, which ensures consistency and sharpness in any digital product.

Remix Icon stands out for its dual style offering—line and filled—allowing designers to create visual hierarchies and adapt icons to different interface needs. 

All icons are available in SVG format, making them easy to customize and integrate into any workflow. The library is free for both personal and commercial use, making it a top choice for designers seeking UI icons free for their projects.

Key benefits:

• Thousands of icons in line and filled styles
• Consistent 24×24 grid design
• Easy to customize and integrate
• Free for personal and commercial projects
• Covers a broad range of UI categories

9. Flowbite Icons

Flowbite Icons is a modern and rapidly growing icon set designed specifically for UI and web design projects. Featuring nearly 500 free icons for UI, Flowbite Icons offers both solid and outline styles, making it easy to match your project’s visual language. 

The icons are crafted with a focus on clarity and usability, ensuring they look great at any size.

One of the unique advantages of Flowbite Icons is its seamless integration with the Flowbite UI kit and Tailwind CSS, making it a favorite among developers working with these frameworks. All icons are available in SVG format and can be easily customized for color and size. 

Flowbite Icons are free for use in both personal and commercial projects, giving designers and developers flexibility and peace of mind.

Key benefits:

• Nearly 500 icons in solid and outline styles
• Designed for clarity and usability
• Perfect integration with Flowbite UI kit and Tailwind CSS
• SVG format for easy customization
• Free for all uses

10. Heroicons

Heroicons is a widely used open-source icon set created by the makers of Tailwind CSS. It features over 230 beautifully crafted icons in both outline and solid styles, making it ideal for modern web and app interfaces. 

Heroicons are designed on a 24×24 grid, ensuring consistency and scalability across different screen sizes.

The icons are available as SVGs and are also offered as a Figma library, making them easy to use for both designers and developers. Heroicons is MIT licensed, so you can use these free UI icons in any type of project. 

The set is especially popular among developers using Tailwind CSS, but its clean, minimalist style makes it suitable for any UI design.

Key benefits:

• 230+ icons in outline and solid styles
• Optimized for Tailwind CSS and modern UIs
• SVG and Figma formats available
• Free and open source (MIT license)
• Simple, clean, and highly legible design

How to choose the right free UI icons

Selecting the right free UI icons can make a significant difference in the quality and consistency of your design. 

With numerous free UI icon resources available, it’s crucial to focus on a few key criteria to ensure your icons enhance your user interface rather than detract from it. 

Here’s how to make the best choice for your project:

Consistent style

A consistent icon style is essential for a polished and professional look. Mixing icons from different sets or with varying stroke weights, sizes, or visual styles can make your UI feel disjointed and confusing. 

Choose a free icons for UI design set that maintains visual harmony across all icons, ensuring they look balanced and cohesive in any context.

Clear meaning

Icons should be instantly recognizable and communicate their intended function without ambiguity. 

Avoid overly abstract or complex icons—opt for designs that are simple, universal, and familiar to users. This clarity helps users qUIckly understand your interface, reducing confusion and improving usability.

Scalable formats

Look for free UI icons available in scalable formats like SVG, which can be resized without losing quality. 

Scalable icons ensure your UI looks sharp on all screen sizes and devices, from mobile phones to large monitors. Many top icon sets offer SVG, Figma, or vector files, making them easy to adapt for any project.

License check

Always check the license before using free icons for UI. The best icon sets are open source or come with permissive licenses (like MIT or Creative Commons), allowing for both personal and commercial use. 

This protects you from legal issues and ensures you can use the icons freely as your project grows.

Brand alignment

Choose icons that fit your brand’s personality and visual language. For example, rounded, playful icons may suit a children’s app, while sharp, minimal icons are better for professional tools. 

Selecting free icons for UI design that align with your brand helps create a cohesive and memorable user experience.

Best practices for using free UI icons

Once you’ve chosen the right free UI icons, it’s important to use them effectively to maximize their impact on your design. Following these best practices will help you create interfaces that are intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing:

Test usability

Before finalizing your icons, test them with real users to ensure they are easily understood and serve their intended purpose. Usability testing helps identify any icons that may be confusing or misinterpreted, allowing you to make adjustments early on.

Maintain clarity

Keep your icons simple and avoid unnecessary details. Clear, minimal icons are easier for users to recognize and understand, especially at smaller sizes. Pair icons with text labels when needed to provide additional context and prevent ambiguity.

Ensure accessibility

Make sure your free icons for UI are accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Use sufficient contrast between icons and backgrounds (aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 3:1), and provide alternative text or tooltips for screen readers.

Optimize size

Icons should be large enough to interact with easily, especially on touch devices. Follow accessibility guidelines by ensuring a minimum touch target size of 48×48 pixels, even if the icon itself is smaller. This improves usability and reduces frustration for users.

Use sparingly

Avoid overloading your UI with too many icons. Use free icons for UI design to highlight key actions or information, not to decorate every element. Too many icons can overwhelm users and make your interface harder to navigate.

Conclusion

Free UI icons have become an indispensable resource for designers and developers aiming to build modern, user-friendly digital products. 

By leveraging UI icons free from reputable icon sets, you can streamline your workflow, maintain visual consistency, and deliver interfaces that are both beautiful and intuitive. 

Whether you’re working on a website, mobile app, or dashboard, the right free icons for UI design help communicate actions, enhance navigation, and reinforce your brand identity—all without adding to your project’s budget.

With a vast range of free icons for UI available today, it’s easier than ever to find styles that match your project’s needs. Remember to prioritize consistency, clarity, scalability, and proper licensing when selecting your icons. 

By following best practices and choosing the right resources, you can ensure your design stands out and provides a seamless experience for every user.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use free UI icons for commercial projects?

Yes, many free UI icons are available for commercial use, but you must always check the specific license of the icon set you choose. Some icon libraries, such as Untitled UI and UIcons, and others, explicitly permit use in commercial projects without attribution. 

However, some sites may require attribution or have restrictions on redistribution, so it is always advisable to review the license terms before using icons in business or client work.

What file formats are most common for free UI icons?

The most common file formats for free icons for UI design are SVG and PNG, as they are widely supported and easy to use in both web and app projects. 

Other formats you might encounter include ICO, EPS, AI, and PSD, depending on the icon provider. SVG is especially popular because it is scalable and customizable without loss of quality.

How do I credit the creator of free UI icons?

If attribution is required, you should credit the creator by mentioning their name, the icon title, the license type, and a link to the source, typically in your website’s credits, documentation, or near the icon itself. 

Always check the license details to see if attribution is mandatory, and follow the recommended format provided by the icon site.

Are there risks of copyright issues with free icons?

There can be risks if you use free icons for UI without reading and following the license terms. Some icons may only be free for personal use, require attribution, or have other restrictions. 

To avoid copyright issues, always use icons from reputable sources that clearly state their licensing terms and ensure you comply with any requirements.

How can I customize free icons for my brand?

Most free UI icons come in formats like SVG, which are easy to edit using design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Illustrator. 

You can change colors, sizes, stroke widths, and even combine icons to match your brand’s style. Many icon libraries also offer customization tools directly on their websites, allowing you to adjust icons before downloading.