EPUB vs PDF: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
EPUB text reflows to fit the screen and the reader's font size, which makes it right for phones and e-readers. A PDF has fixed pages, which makes it right for printing and for layouts that must not change.
EPUB vs PDF Side by Side
| EPUB | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | EPUB: Electronic Publication | PDF: Portable Document Format |
| File extension | EPUB: .epub | PDF: .pdf |
| How it stores data | EPUB: Zipped HTML chapters with styles and images | PDF: Fixed page layout with embedded fonts and images |
| File size | EPUB: depends on what is inside | PDF: depends on what is inside |
| Created by | EPUB: IDPF (now W3C), 2007 | PDF: Adobe (ISO 32000 since 2008), 1993 |
| Best for | EPUB: books and long texts read on an e-reader or phone | PDF: sharing, printing, signing and archiving finished documents |
| Watch out | EPUB: no fixed pages, so it is the wrong choice for printing | PDF: hard to edit — the text is positioned, not flowing |
| Opens with | EPUB: Apple Books, Kobo, Calibre, Google Play Books, Kindle (via Send to Kindle) | PDF: every browser, Adobe Acrobat, Preview, phones |
Choose EPUB When
- Books and long texts read on a phone, tablet or e-reader
Choose PDF When
- Printing
- Manuals, forms and documents with exact layout
- Scanned books
Convert Between EPUB and PDF
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, EPUB or PDF?
EPUB text reflows to fit the screen and the reader's font size, which makes it right for phones and e-readers. A PDF has fixed pages, which makes it right for printing and for layouts that must not change.
When should I use EPUB?
Books and long texts read on a phone, tablet or e-reader.
When should I use PDF?
Printing. Manuals, forms and documents with exact layout. Scanned books.
What is EPUB?
EPUB is the open e-book standard: text that reflows to fit any screen and font size. Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play Books and — via Send to Kindle — Kindle all accept it.
What is PDF?
A PDF looks the same on every screen and every printer: fonts, layout and images are fixed inside the file. That is why contracts, invoices, forms and manuals are sent as PDF.
Can I convert between EPUB and PDF?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert EPUB to PDF, or Convert PDF to EPUB with the converter linked on this page.