Electronic vs. Digital Signature: What's the Difference?

"Just e-sign it and send it back." "We need this with a digital signature." People often use the two phrases as if they meant the same thing. They don't, and the difference matters: some paperwork only needs your signature drawn on the PDF, while other processes expect a cryptographic signature backed by a certificate.

This guide explains the difference in plain language, shows how official U.S. sources describe each term, and makes clear what kind of signature you add with Sign PDF on ConvertirDocs. This isn't legal advice: rules depend on where you are, what the document is and what the recipient requires. For a specific situation, ask the recipient or a qualified professional.

The idea in one sentence each

• Electronic signature is the broad, legal concept: almost any electronic mark or process a person uses with the intent to sign. A drawn signature on a PDF, a typed name, or clicking "I agree" can all qualify.
• Digital signature is a technical term for a specific kind of electronic signature built on cryptography, usually tied to a certificate. It lets anyone verify who signed and whether the document changed afterwards.

Put simply: every digital signature is an electronic signature, but not every electronic signature is a digital one.

How U.S. federal law defines an electronic signature

The ESIGN Act is codified in Title 15 of the U.S. Code, chapter 96. According to the text published on govinfo.gov (checked in October 2026):

• 15 U.S.C. § 7006(5) defines an electronic signature as "an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record."
• 15 U.S.C. § 7001(a) says that, for transactions in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a signature, contract or other record "may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form."

Two important qualifications in the same law:

• No one is forced to accept electronic signatures. § 7001(b) states that the law does not require any person to agree to use or accept electronic records or signatures (with a limited exception for government agencies).
• There are exceptions. § 7003 excludes, among others, records governed by laws on wills, codicils and testamentary trusts, state laws on adoption, divorce and other family-law matters, and court orders, notices and official court documents, plus certain notices such as utility shut-offs and foreclosure or eviction notices.

Many states also have their own electronic-transactions laws, and agencies and courts can set filing rules of their own.

How "digital signature" is defined

"Digital signature" isn't a legal category in ESIGN; it's a security term. The NIST Computer Security Resource Center glossary, citing FIPS 186-5, describes it as "the result of a cryptographic transformation of data that, when properly implemented, provides a mechanism for verifying origin authentication, data integrity, and signatory non-repudiation."

In practice, that means a digital signature on a PDF can show who signed (through their certificate) and reveal any later change to the file. A picture of your signature can't do either of those things.

What kind of signature ConvertirDocs adds

Sign PDF creates a simple, visual electronic signature: an image of your signature placed on the page. You can:

• Draw it with your finger or mouse.
• Type it in one of three handwriting styles.
• Upload it as an image, with an option to remove the white background.

Then you place it on any page, move it, resize it, repeat it if needed, and add text such as your name and the date.

What it does not do:

• It's not a certificate-based digital signature. It doesn't use a certificate from a certification authority or add a cryptographic signature that proves identity or integrity.
• It doesn't collect signatures from other people. It's for signing yourself; it doesn't send the document to anyone or run a signing workflow.

Everything happens in your browser: the PDF is not uploaded to any server.

When a simple signature is usually enough

For a lot of everyday paperwork, what the other side expects is to see your signature in the right spot:

• A school permission slip or consent form.
• An accepted quote or work order.
• An informal agreement with a landlord, client or small vendor.
• A letter or statement you're asked to "sign and attach" to an application that doesn't require a certificate.

Even so, if the signature matters, ask first. A short email ("Is a signature drawn on the PDF OK, or do you need something else?") can save you a rejected document.

When you probably need something more

• When the recipient explicitly asks for a "digital signature", a "certificate-based signature" or a specific signing platform.
• When a court, agency or regulated industry sets its own e-filing or signature rules.
• When the document falls under one of the ESIGN exceptions, such as a will or certain family-law and court documents.

In those cases ConvertirDocs isn't a substitute. Use the service or method the recipient specifies.

Step by step: signing with ConvertirDocs

1. Open Sign PDF and choose the document. If it's password-protected, remove the password first with Unlock PDF.
2. Create your signature: draw it, type it or upload an image.
3. Go to the right page and place the signature on the line. Resize it so it looks natural.
4. If asked, add your printed name and the date as text.
5. Download the signed PDF and open it to check that everything is in place.

Order matters: visual signature first, certificate last

If the document will also be signed with a certificate, by you or by someone else, make every change before that. A digital signature detects later modifications; merging, compressing or editing the PDF after it's digitally signed can make that signature fail validation.

Looking after a PDF you've signed

• Flatten it if you filled in a form. With Flatten PDF, fields and annotations become a fixed part of the page and can no longer be edited in an ordinary PDF reader.
• Password-protect it if it contains sensitive information, with Protect PDF.
• Keep copies of both the unsigned original and the signed version you sent.
• If it's a form, fill it in first with PDF Forms and sign last.

Frequently asked questions

Is a ConvertirDocs signature legally valid? It depends on where you are, the type of document and what the recipient accepts. It's a simple electronic signature: enough in many everyday situations, not enough where a certificate or specific platform is required. We can't give legal advice; ask the recipient.

Is "e-signature" the same as "digital signature"? Not exactly. E-signature is the broad legal term; digital signature usually means the cryptographic, certificate-based kind.

Can I get someone else to sign the same PDF? ConvertirDocs doesn't send signature requests. The other person can open the PDF you send them and sign it themselves with the tool.

Is my signature stored anywhere? No. It's created and placed in your browser; it isn't uploaded or saved on a server.

Is a scanned signature better than a drawn one? Both are simple electronic signatures: an image on the document. Neither carries a certificate.

In short

An electronic signature is the broad concept; U.S. federal law (ESIGN) says a signature can't be denied legal effect solely because it's electronic, with important exceptions and no obligation to accept one. A digital signature is the cryptographic kind that verifies origin and integrity. Sign PDF on ConvertirDocs adds a simple, visual electronic signature: great for everyday paperwork, but not a replacement for a certificate-based signature when one is required.