EPUB is an e-book file format that stands for electronic publication. It is a technical standard published by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and is supported by many e-readers, smartphones, tablets, and computers. The EPUB format is implemented as an archive file consisting of XHTML files carrying the content, along with images and other supporting files. EPUBs are layout agnostic, which means the formatting isn’t affected by the size of the screen. The EPUB format can store words, images, fonts, stylesheets, metadata, and content tables.
EPUB files are primarily used for the storage of eBooks and other related content. They are the most popular file format extension used for eBooks and can be read with a variety of different devices including compatible e-readers, tablet computers, and smartphones. EPUB files can be downloaded and opened on e-readers such as Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), as well as smartphones, tablets, or computers. The latest version, EPUB 3.2, supports HTML, CSS, and SVG, with built-in support for video, audio, and even interactive features.
EPUB files are different from PDF files, which recreate a paper document in digital form. While EPUBs provide a more interactive format optimized for viewing on devices, PDFs can also be optimized for accessibility and are similar in appearance and layout to a print book.
