Definition
EPUB is an e-book file format that uses the ".epub" file extension. The term is short for electronic publication and is sometimes stylized as ePUB. EPUB is supported by many e-readers, and compatible software is available for most smartphones, tablets, and computers. EPUB is a technical standard published by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). It became an official standard of the IDPF in September 2007, superseding the older Open eBook (OEB) standard.
How this term shows up in flipbook work
If you spend time publishing flipbooks, you will run into EPUB in one of three places: in the export settings of your design tool, in a compliance or accessibility audit, or in a conversation with an integrator. Knowing the term well enough to recognise it in those moments saves a meeting. The full Wikipedia article, linked below, goes much deeper into the history and the standards bodies behind it — we keep this glossary short on purpose so it stays useful as a quick reference.
Where to go next
- Browse the feature guides — many of them touch on this term in passing.
- Open the how-to library — step-by-step tutorials that put the vocabulary into practice.
- Read the tool reviews — we note which platforms handle this concept well and which leave it to you.
Source: “EPUB” on Wikipedia. Text reused under CC BY-SA 4.0. Snapshot fetched 22 May 2026.