# What is a fixed-layout EPUB?

Source: https://epublab.com/glossary/fixed-layout/ (updated 2026-11-03)

A fixed-layout EPUB keeps each page exactly as designed, like a PDF, and is declared with rendition:layout set to "pre-paginated" in the package document. It suits picture books, comics and cookbooks where the position of every element matters.

## Why it matters when you convert a PDF to EPUB

Turning a PDF into a fixed-layout EPUB keeps the look but not the reading comfort: text does not re-flow, so small screens still need zooming. EPUBLab produces reflowable EPUBs, because the point of converting a text-heavy PDF is usually to read it comfortably on a small screen.

Each page of a fixed-layout EPUB is an XHTML or SVG document with its own dimensions (a viewport meta element or an SVG viewBox). EPUBCheck reports missing or malformed dimensions with HTM-046, HTM-047 and HTM-048.