When it comes to ebooks there are more than a dozen common file types.
And each of these has different strengths and is compatible with different ereaders.
Which is why you might find yourself in need of an ebook converter.
In this article, we’ll explain everything there is to know about converting ebooks.
Desktop Apps
The best free desktop app for converting ebooks isCalibre.
If you’re an avid ebook reader, you probably already have Calibre installed on your gear.
Calibre’s ebook converter supports a long list of ebook formats.
Another free option isAny Ebook Converter.
The only other free option worth mentioning isAuto Kindle eBook Converter.
It’s available on Windows.
It can convert PDF, LIT, and HTML files into the Kindle-compatible MOBI format.
Sadly, most other recommendable desktop apps require payment.
Luckily for you, we’ve sifted through the wheat from the chaff on your behalf.
EPUB is the most common.
It’s an open standard, free-to-use, vendor-free format.
MOBI is a fork of the old OEB format; it was created by Mobipocket in 2001.
Amazon bought the company in 2005 and continued MOBI development until 2016.
Unlike EPUB books, MOBI cannot support sound or video.
AZW (along with AZW3) is a proprietary Amazon format.
It’s based on the MOBI format.
Any ebooks you buy on Amazon will be delivered in the AZW format.
Kindles can read it, but popular ereaders from other manufacturers cannot.
Lastly, some books appear in the PDF format.
Most ereaders can open PDFs, but you’ll encounter layout issues semi-frequently.
If you would like to learn more we have covered all ofthe most common ebook formatsin more detail.
Which Ebook Formats Does a Kindle Support?
The original Kindle is now more than 10 years old.
They have fewer supported file types than their competitors.
The glaring issue is a lack of support for EPUB files.
EPUBs are the reading world’s equivalent of MP3 files—widely-used and widely-supported.
There’s also a lack of support for CBR and CBZ, DJVU, and FB2.
However, we recommend converting them into MOBI.
Setting up Calibre to automatically convert freshly-added ebooks into the MOBI format is a two-step process.
Firstly, go toPreferences > Interface > Behaviorand set thePreferred Output FormattoMOBIfrom the drop-down menu.
Next, return to thePreferencesmenu and navigate toImport/Export > Adding Books.
Click onApplyto back up your changes.
To convert your existing library books, open Calibre and grab the books you want to convert.
SelectMOBIusing the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner of the new window, then click onOK.
The conversion process will take place in the background.
Check out our article onhow to use Calibre to convert ebooksif you’ve got more questions.
For single, on-the-fly conversions, it makes more sense to use a web app.
If you use Online-Convert, selectConvert to PDFfrom the drop-down menu underEbook Converterand clickGo.
ClickChoose Filesto upload your EPUB file.
You’ll get the chance to edit the book’s name, layout options, and other metadata.
When you’re ready, click onStart Conversion.
