How do TXT and EPUBcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Plain Text File
TXT is the simplest document format — pure text with no formatting. It's universally compatible, lightweight, and readable by every operating system and text editor in existence.
Electronic Publication
EPUB is the open standard for digital books and publications. It supports reflowable content that adapts to any screen size, making it the preferred format for e-readers and reading apps.
| Specification | TXT | EPUB |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Plain Text File | Electronic Publication |
| Extension | .txt | .epub |
| MIME type | text/plain | application/epub+zip |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | N/A (universal standard) | International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) |
| Year introduced | 1960s | 2007 |
TXT and EPUB serve different purposes. TXT is ideal for configuration files and logs, while EPUB excels at e-books and digital publications.
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