"Electronic signature" and "digital signature" are often used interchangeably, but they describe two different things. Understanding the distinction helps you choose the right approach for the document you're signing.
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature, sometimes called an "e-signature," is any electronic mark or symbol that indicates a person's intent to agree to the contents of a document. This can be a typed name, a scanned image of a handwritten signature, a signature drawn with a mouse or touchscreen, or even clicking an "I agree" button in some contexts.
Electronic signatures are widely used for everyday documents: rental agreements, employment forms, internal company paperwork, and many business contracts. Tools like i hate signature that let you draw, type, or upload a signature image are creating electronic signatures.
What is a digital signature?
A digital signature is a specific, more technical type of electronic signature that uses cryptography to verify the identity of the signer and confirm the document hasn't been altered after signing. Digital signatures typically rely on a digital certificate issued by a trusted certificate authority, and they create a tamper-evident seal on the document.
When you see a PDF with a signature field that shows "Signed by [Name], Certificate issued by [Authority]," that's a digital signature in the technical sense — it carries cryptographic proof of authenticity, not just a visual mark.
Key differences at a glance
- Electronic signature: Any digital representation of agreement — typed, drawn, or uploaded. Easy to create and widely accepted for everyday use.
- Digital signature: A cryptographically secured signature backed by a digital certificate, providing stronger identity verification and tamper detection.
- Legal weight: Both can carry legal weight depending on jurisdiction and document type, but digital signatures provide additional technical proof of authenticity.
- Use cases: Electronic signatures suit forms, letters, and many contracts. Digital signatures are often used for documents requiring higher assurance, such as certain legal filings or regulated industries.
Which one do you need?
For most everyday paperwork — signing a form, agreeing to terms, or adding your signature to a letter — an electronic signature created with a tool like i hate signature is sufficient. If you're dealing with a document that explicitly requires a certificate-based digital signature, you'll typically be guided through that process by the platform issuing the document, often involving identity verification through a certificate authority.
When in doubt, check the specific requirements of the organization requesting the signed document — they can tell you whether a simple signature image is acceptable or whether a certified digital signature is required.
Creating your electronic signature
Ready to create one? Use our online signature generator to draw, type, or upload your signature, then download it as a PNG or SVG, or place it directly onto a PDF using our PDF signing tool.