Editor's Note:
Since most eBooks are protected by DRM, online ebook converters can only handle DRM-free ebooks. Most of the time, this approach doesn't work. Calibre can be an alternative ebook converter, but you need to install the DeDRM plugin first, and this step is not easy for many users. Epubor Ultimate is always the best choice, as it is the most user-friendly converter. It supports most of the main ebook vendors on the market. So, for converting any ebook to Kindle format, you should try Epubor Ultimate.
Have you ever purchased ebooks from vendors besides Amazon Kindle? I have, and I'm sure you have too. There are always some good deals, and you can't help but buy the discounted ebooks from various online ebook stores. However, when you get your ebooks, you find you cannot read them on your Kindle because they are not supported. How can you convert any ebook to Kindle format? Here, I'll share the easiest way to convert ebooks to Kindle format, whether they are purchased from Kobo, Google Play, Nook, Tolino, or any other online ebook stores.
Part 1: What is the Best Kindle File Format?
What is Kindle file format? Amazon use its proprietary formats on most of its published ebooks. There are different kinds of kindle formats, including mobi, prc, azw3, azw4, azw, kfx, kcr...and more. Among so many kindle formats, what's the best format for kindle? Before converting any ebooks to kindle format, let's make this clear at first.
| No. | Kindle Device or App | Supported Kindle Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kindle (firmware lower than 5.8) | prc, azw3, mobi, azw |
| 2 | Kindle (firmware higher than 5.8) | prc, azw3, mobi, kfx, azw |
| 3 | Kindle for PC | prc, azw3, mobi, kfx |
| 4 | Kindle for MAC | prc, azw3, mobi, kfx |
| 5 | Kindle for iOS v6.03 | prc, mobi |
| 6 | Kindle for Android v7.2 | prc, azw3, mobi, kfx |
| 7 | Kindle Previewer v2.94 | prc, azw3, mobi |
From the above table, it is obvious that MOBI, AZW3, and PRC are supported by almost all Kindle devices and apps.
What is PRC and Mobi?
Mobi is originally an extension of the PalmDOC format by adding certain HTML-like tags to the data. Mobi and PRC are almost the same format but with different extensions. Actually, the PRC format is mostly used on Android devices and Kindle Fire tablets. When you add DRM protection to a .PRC format, it still remains in .PRC format. However, when you add DRM protection to MOBI format, it may change to .PRC or .AZW3 format.
What is AZW3?
AZW3, known as KF8 format, was released in 2011 and first applied to Kindle Fire. Later, it is supported by Kindle e-ink devices and Kindle desktop applications. Compared with MOBI, it supports more fonts, styling, and layouts.
After comparing these three Kindle formats, MOBI format is the most commonly used, while AZW3 format comes with more advanced features. These two formats can be assumed to be the best Kindle formats.
Part 2: The Most Popular eBook Stores where You'll Purchase eBooks
How did you get your ebooks? Usually, there are three main methods: purchasing from online ebook stores, downloading from online resources, and borrowing from the public library. Among these three methods, buying ebooks from online ebook stores is the most commonly used method.
Here, I have listed the main ebook stores, the ebook formats, and the DRM types they employ.
| eBook Store | eBook Formats | DRM Type |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play | ePUB, pdf, acsm | Adobe Adept DRM |
| Kobo | Epub,kepub, PDF | Adobe Adept DRM, Kobo DRM |
| Barnes and Noble | epub, pdf | Nook DRM |
| Apple Books | epub, pdf | Fairplay DRM |
| Smarshwords | epub, pdf, mobi | DRM free |
For open-source ebooks, most of them are DRM-free ebooks.
According to the way you get your ebooks, you can determine whether your ebooks are DRM-free or not. This will help you understand what action you should take in the following process.
Part 3: How to Convert eBooks to Kindle Format with Epubor Ultimate
The process of converting ebooks to Kindle format is always the same: removing ebook DRM (if they have) and converting DRM-free ebooks to Kindle format. Epubor Ultimate is highly recommended as it is the best DRM Removal as well as eBook Converter. With its assistance, you can remove DRM from any ebooks and convert them to Kindle-supported formats. Let’s see how to do it.
1 Download and install Epubor Ultimate.
2 Remove DRM from eBooks.
Launch Epubor Ultimate, drag and drop the ebooks to its main interface. The DRM will be removed automatically.
3 Convert eBook to Kindle format.
Select the output format as azw3 or mobi, then click on "Convert to ...". Your ebooks will be converted to kindle format.
Although the steps of converting ebooks are the same, you'll also learn how to convert google play, kobo and nook books to kindle respectively as blow.
Google Play booksHow to Read Google Play Books on Kindle/Kobo/Nook will show you the details.
Kobo booksPlease read How to read Kobo books on Kindle to learn the detailed steps.
Barnes and Noble booksIt will be slightly different for converting nook books to kindle. You will need the Nook Converter, not the Epubor Ultimate. Please read The Easiest Way to Convert Nook to Kindle.
Apple booksWe are sincerely sorry to inform you that there is not any software can remove drm from apple books. So we cannot convert apples. If have any method to decrypt your apples, you can also follow the above-mentioned steps to convert apple books to kindle format.
Part 4: Convert Any eBook to Kindle Online
There are various online converters that can convert eBooks to Kindle format. Simply search for "eBook to Kindle converter" and choose a reliable online tool.
Part 5: Convert Any eBook to Kindle Calibre
Step 1: Download and install Calibre, a free and open-source eBook management tool.
Step 2: Open Calibre and click on "Add books" to import your EPUB file
Step 3: Select the imported book, and in the top menu, click on "Convert books" and choose the Kindle format (MOBI). Click "OK" to start the conversion.
Step 4: Once the conversion is complete, connect your Kindle to your computer, and then copy and paste the converted kindle friendly file to "Documents" folder of Kindle device.
Detailed guide, please read How to Convert eBooks with Calibre.
Final Thoughts
Now you can read the converted ebooks with your kindle device or kindle app. No matter which ebooks you purchased or from which ebook store, most of them can be easily converted to a Kindle-compatible format for reading on Kindle.
Iris Yan has been a passionate member of Epubor since 2017. Her mission is to enhance your ebook reading experience by sharing insightful tips and tricks. Join her on a journey towards reading excellence today!
