How to change individual unit icons in Hearts of Iron IV

You can change how individual units look on the map in Hearts of Iron IV by modifying the unit icon files in your game directory. The game pulls these icons from a specific folder structure, and replacing the image files there will change what appears when you select a unit. This works for any unit type — infantry, tanks, ships, aircraft — and you can customize them one at a time or in groups.

The process involves finding the right folder on your computer, identifying which icon file controls which unit type, and swapping in a new image. You do not need to restart the game or use the launcher — the changes take effect as soon as you reload a save or start a new game.

Key Takeaways

  • Unit icons live in your Hearts of Iron IV installation folder under gfx/interface/unitframes, organized by unit type and nation.
  • Each unit icon is a .dds file (a texture format), and you replace it with another .dds file of the same dimensions to change how that unit appears.
  • You can change icons for a single nation, a single unit type, or all units at once by editing the files in the appropriate folder.
  • The game does not require you to verify files or restart after changing icons — they update the next time you load a save.

Finding your Hearts of Iron IV game folder

Your game files are stored in a specific location on your computer, and you need to navigate there to access the icon files. On Windows, open File Explorer and go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV. If you installed the game through Steam, you may also have files in C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Hearts of Iron IV — this is where the base game icons live.

The Documents folder holds your saves and mods, but the actual game icons are in the Steam installation folder. Navigate to gfx/interface/unitframes inside the Hearts of Iron IV folder. You should see subfolders named after nations (like GER for Germany, SOV for the Soviet Union) and unit types (like infantry, armor, fighter). These folders contain the .dds files that control what you see on the map.

Understanding the icon file structure

Each unit type has its own folder, and inside that folder are icon files named after the nation that uses them. For example, gfx/interface/unitframes/infantry contains files like GER_infantry_1.dds, SOV_infantry_1.dds, and so on. The number at the end (1, 2, 3) refers to the unit's experience level or variant — a fresh unit might use the _1 file, while a veteran unit uses a higher number.

The .dds format is a compressed texture file that Hearts of Iron IV reads directly. You cannot edit these files with a standard image editor like Paint — you need either a .dds-compatible tool or to convert the file to .png, edit it, and convert it back. The easiest approach is to find a replacement .dds file online (from mod communities or icon packs) or use a free tool like Gimp with a .dds plugin to create your own.

Replacing a single unit icon

To change how one nation's infantry looks, navigate to gfx/interface/unitframes/infantry and locate the file for that nation. If you want to change German infantry, find GER_infantry_1.dds. Before you touch anything, right-click the file and select Copy, then paste it somewhere safe as a backup — this way you can restore it if something goes wrong.

Once you have a backup, replace the original .dds file with your new one. Make sure your replacement file has the exact same name and dimensions (usually 256x256 or 512x512 pixels, depending on the unit type). Drop the new file into the folder, confirm that you want to overwrite the original, and you are done. Load a save or start a new game, and German infantry will display your new icon on the map.

Changing icons for an entire unit type

If you want all nations' infantry to use new icons, you can replace multiple files at once. Open the infantry folder and you will see files for every nation in the game. Select all the files you want to replace (use Ctrl+A to select everything in the folder), then paste your new icons over them. This is faster than doing one nation at a time, but make sure your replacement files are named correctly — the game will not find an icon if the filename does not match what it is looking for.

You can also replace just the _1 files (fresh units) and leave the _2 and _3 files (experienced units) alone, so veteran units keep their original look. This gives you fine control over which units get the new icons and which do not.

Creating or finding replacement icons

If you want to use custom icons, the Hearts of Iron IV modding community has created icon packs that you can read. Search for "Hearts of Iron IV icon mod" on sites like Nexus Mods or the Steam Workshop — many are free and come with instructions for installation. Some packs replace all unit icons at once, while others target specific nations or unit types.

If you want to create your own icons, you will need an image editor that supports .dds files. Gimp (free, open-source) can edit .dds files if you install the DDS plugin. Create or edit your image at the correct dimensions, export it as .dds, and save it with the exact filename of the icon you want to replace. Test it in a new game to make sure it displays correctly — if the icon does not appear, check that the filename matches exactly and that the dimensions are correct.

Troubleshooting icons that do not appear

If you replace an icon and it does not show up in the game, the most common cause is a filename mismatch. The game looks for GER_infantry_1.dds exactly — if your file is named GER_infantry_1.DDS (capital letters) or GER_infantry_1.png (wrong format), the game will not find it. Check the filename character by character and make sure it matches the original.

The second common issue is incorrect image dimensions. If your replacement icon is 512x512 but the original was 256x256, the game may display it incorrectly or not at all. Check the dimensions of the original file (right-click, Properties, or open it in an image viewer) and make sure your replacement matches. If you are unsure, start with a small change to one icon and test it in a new game before replacing a whole folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to enable a mod or restart the game for icon changes to work?

No. Hearts of Iron IV reads icon files from the game folder every time you load a save or start a new game. You do not need to restart the launcher or verify files — just replace the .dds file and load your game. If you are already in a game, you may need to reload the save for the new icon to appear.

Can I change icons for just one unit, like a single division?

No, icon changes explore to all units of that type and nation. If you replace GER_infantry_1.dds, every fresh German infantry unit will use the new icon. You cannot customize individual divisions — only unit types and nations.

What happens if I delete an icon file by mistake?

The game will either display a missing texture (usually a pink or black square) or crash when it tries to load that unit. Restore the file from your backup or verify the game files through Steam to re-read the original. This is why backing up before you edit is important.

Can I use .png files instead of .dds files?

No, Hearts of Iron IV only reads .dds files for unit icons. If you have a .png icon you want to use, you must convert it to .dds first using a tool like Gimp or an online converter. Make sure the converted file has the correct dimensions and filename.

Will changing icons affect multiplayer games or achievements?

Icon changes are visual only and do not affect gameplay, so they will not disable achievements or cause problems in multiplayer. Other players will see the default icons on their end unless they have made the same changes to their own game files.