Kindle devices are not built to open EPUB files naturally, but that does not mean there is no way to send EPUB to Kindle and read them. When you want to send EPUB to Kindle, you can make that happen now with Amazon’s Send to Kindle service, which accepts EPUB files directly. You can easily read by simply using the convert EPUB to Kindle option in your Kindle device or app. In this guide, we will explore the legit ways to convert EPUB to Kindle and read your files anytime.
Why Kindle Doesn’t Support EPUB Natively
Kindle devices use Amazon’s own formats such as AZW or KFX, which are different from open EPUB formats used in Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play Books. You cannot get direct access if you try to open EPUB files on your Kindle devices or copy through USB until 2022.
In 2022, Amazon introduced an option for Kindle devices which is called “Send to Kindle,” which allows you to read EPUB files and convert EPUB to Kindle in seconds. You don’t have to search for sites to convert EPUB to Kindle anymore when you have a free built-in option in Kindle devices or the app. After 2022 to 2023, Amazon also ended MOBI support for new files because you are going to use Kindle with EPUB files support going forward.
How to Send EPUB to Kindle via EmailEmail
Yes, emailing EPUB to your Kindle’s own address is the easiest way to convert EPUB to Kindle. If you are still confused about how to send EPUB to Kindle by using EmailEmail service, here IS the quick overview for you:
- Open Amazon, then go to Manage Your Content and Devices, click Preferences, and finally open Personal Document Settings.
- Find your Send to Kindle email address, which ends in @kindle.com.
- Under Approved Personal Document Email List, add the email address you want to send your file from. Keep in mind that Amazon rejects the files from unapproved senders, so don’t mess up.
- Attach your EPUB file to a new email and send it to your Kindle address. No subject line or body text is required.
- Make sure your Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi. The file typically appears in your library within a few minutes.
With this method, you can easily attach 25 files in each EmailEmail of upto 50MB. If your file is larger than this size, you can compress it using ZIP files, and Amazon will automatically extract and convert it from ZIP EPUB to a Kindle file.
How to Send EPUB to Kindle Using the Web Uploader
If you somehow failed to send EPUB to Kindle using email, you can try Amazon’s web-based Send to Kindle tool. It allows you to upload your EPUB file to Kindle directly. Follow these steps to send EPUB to Kindle:
- Visit Amazon’s Send to Kindle page and sign in with your Amazon account.
- Drag and drop your EPUB file, or click to browse and select it.
- Select a file you want to send from the device or app.
- Confirm, and the file syncs over Wi-Fi.
The benefit of using the web uploader to send EPUB to Kindle is that you can upload a file upto 200MB, which is clearly larger than what you can through email. However, if you are using a Mac or Windows, you can install an app called “Send to Kindle” that works the same way: drag and drop the EPUB file to convert into Kindle.
How to Convert EPUB to Kindle Format with Calibre
Whether you are an author, self-publisher, or anyone who likes full control over formatting before a file reaches your Kindle, use Calibre. This is a great tool that lets you manage your EPUB files perfectly and convert them into Kindle formats in minutes.
What Calibre does:
- Converts EPUB to AZW3, MOBI, PDF, and other formats
- Edits ebook metadata (title, author, cover)
- Transfers files directly to a connected Kindle via USB
- Manages a full ebook library
Steps to convert:
- Download and install Calibre (free, open-source) from calibre-ebook.com.
- Add your EPUB file to the Calibre library.
- Select the book and click Convert Books.
- Choose AZW3 as the output format (the closest match to Kindle’s native format).
- You can convert the Kindle using USB and transfer the converted file directly. Also, send it using one of the Send to Kindle methods we explored above.
For those who self-publish their books on Kindle or expert authors who are obsessed with full access, use this method to preview exactly what your EPUB files look like. This way you can understand what the readers are looking at, and you can edit the format accordingly.
Comparing the Methods: Read EPUB Files in Kindle
| Method | Conversion | File Size Limit | Best For |
| Send EPUB to Kindle (Email) | Automatic | 50MB | Quick, occasional use |
| Send EPUB to Kindle (Web/App) | Automatic | 200MB | Larger files, frequent use |
| Calibre (Manual) | Manual, more control | No practical limit | Authors, complex formatting |
How Can I Convert Kindle to EPUB Format?
We talked about converting EPUB to Kindle, but in case you are wondering about how to convert Kindle to EPUB format, it is also possible. Despite Amazon strictly banning users from converting Kindle files to EPUB, as most Kindle books are paid, there is a way to convert Kindle to EPUB. However, Amazon uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) to stop readers from getting DRM-free access to Kindle files. But if you own any Kindle files on your device, you can convert them into EPUB using the Calibre tool.
If you try to strip DRM from paid content on Kindle devices, Amazon doesn’t like this step. Any content breaches its terms of use, so this method only applies to the content you have full rights to convert.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- File doesn’t appear on Kindle: Confirm your Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi and check that the sending email address is on your Approved Personal Document Email List.
- Formatting looks off after conversion: Sometimes you face an issue while converting EPUB to Kindle format that the text gets all messed up because of complex CSS, tables, or magazine-style layouts. However, you can fix this problem with EPUB’s internal structure first, or convert to PDF instead; exact layouts matter more than re-flowable text.
- Highlights and notes not syncing: Files sent via email or the web uploader sync highlights through Amazon’s cloud automatically. Files transferred by USB don’t sync in the same way.
Final Thoughts
Even if you cannot read EPUB files directly into Kindle, there are multiple methods we discussed in this guide that allow you to send EPUB to Kindle easily. From sending an email and using the Calibre tool to uploading an EPUB file to a web uploader to convert EPUB to Kindle, we explored all these methods.
However, if you are struggling to get your book published on Amazon Kindle, you need to get in touch with TheBookPublishing.co.uk today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send EPUB to Kindle directly?
Yes, you can send EPUB to Kindle directly by using a built-in option provided by Amazon named “Send to Kindle,” or you can download an app for Mac or Windows as well. We talked about many ways to send EPUB to Kindle format, such as sending by email, the web uploader method, or the Kindle app itself.
What’s the best free EPUB to Kindle converter?
The best way to convert EPUB to Kindle format is no doubt Amazon’s own update called “Send to Kindle”, its free and requires no external software.
Does Kindle still support MOBI files?
No, Amazon does not support MOBI format anymore after its update in 2022 to 2023; you can use all the MOBI files in Kindle as EPUB format.
Is there any file size limit when sending EPUB to Kindle?
Yes, if you are sending EPUB to Kindle using email, then the maximum size limit is 50MB. On the other hand, the largest file you can upload using the web uploader is about 200MB.
