{
  "id": "magic/pdf",
  "family": "magic",
  "slug": "pdf",
  "title": "PDF signature (%PDF-)",
  "summary": "A PDF file begins with the ASCII header '%PDF-' followed by a version number such as '1.7'. The percent sign marks a comment line per the PDF/PostScript syntax. Files normally end with the '%%EOF' marker.",
  "kind": "signature",
  "aliases": [
    "PDF magic",
    "%PDF"
  ],
  "status": "standard",
  "verification": "verified",
  "tier": "B",
  "source_url": "https://opensource.adobe.com/dc-acrobat-sdk-docs/pdfstandards/PDF32000_2008.pdf",
  "source_version": "PDF 32000-1:2008 (ISO 32000-1), Section 7.5.2 File Header",
  "retrieved_date": "2026-05-29",
  "see_also": [],
  "ext_type": "file-signature@1",
  "ext": {
    "magic_hex": "25 50 44 46 2D",
    "offset": 0,
    "magic_ascii": "%PDF-",
    "extensions": [
      "pdf"
    ],
    "mime": "application/pdf",
    "trailer_hex": "25 25 45 4F 46",
    "spec": "ISO 32000-1:2008, Section 7.5.2",
    "notes": [
      "Full header is '%PDF-M.N' where M.N is the version, e.g. '%PDF-1.7' = 25 50 44 46 2D 31 2E 37.",
      "The trailer '%%EOF' (25 25 45 4F 46) ends the file; some files have trailing bytes after it.",
      "Conforming readers may scan the first 1024 bytes for the header rather than requiring it at exact offset 0."
    ]
  },
  "updated": "2026-05-29T00:00:00Z"
}