Can Kindle read EPUB?

Published November 1, 2026 · 5 min read

Yes, but not directly. A Kindle won't open an EPUB file you copy over a USB cable. Amazon's Send to Kindle service, however, accepts EPUB and converts it for you. Here are the three ways to do it, the size limits, and how to fix an EPUB that gets rejected.

The short answer

Kindle e-readers use Amazon's own ebook formats, such as AZW3 and KFX, not EPUB (EPUB vs MOBI explains how they differ). Since 2022, though, Send to Kindle accepts EPUB files and converts them to a Kindle format on the way to your device. The book then shows up in your library like any other, and it also syncs to the Kindle apps on your phone and computer.

Two things to know before you start:

• Only DRM-free EPUBs work. Books bought from Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play or other stores usually have DRM and will be rejected.
• You don't need MOBI anymore. Amazon no longer accepts MOBI files through Send to Kindle, so EPUB is now the format to send.

Method 1: Send to Kindle on the web

This is the easiest method and the one with the highest size limit: at the time of writing, 200 MB per file.

1. Open amazon.com/sendtokindle in your browser and sign in with the Amazon account your Kindle uses.
2. Drag your EPUB file onto the page, or click to select it.
3. Choose the Kindle devices and apps you want to send it to.
4. Click Send. The book usually appears on your Kindle within a few minutes, as soon as the device connects to Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Email the EPUB to your Kindle

Every Kindle and Kindle app has its own email address, ending in @kindle.com. Email is handy from any device, but the limit is lower: 50 MB per email at the time of writing.

1. On Amazon, go to Content & Devices → Preferences → Personal Document Settings.
2. Note the @kindle.com address of the device you want to use.
3. In the same section, add the email address you will send from to the Approved Personal Document E-mail List. Emails from any other address are ignored.
4. Send an email to your Kindle address with the EPUB attached. The subject and body can be empty.

Method 3: The Send to Kindle apps

Amazon also offers Send to Kindle for Windows and Mac, and on phones you can send a file from the share menu to the Kindle app. These are convenient if you send books often. The desktop app has historically kept the 50 MB limit, so use the website for larger files.

Can you copy an EPUB to a Kindle with a USB cable?

No. If you copy an EPUB to a Kindle over USB, it simply won't appear in the library, because Kindle software doesn't read EPUB files directly. You have two options:

• Use one of the Send to Kindle methods above, which do the conversion for you.
• Convert the EPUB to AZW3 on your computer, for example with the free app Calibre, and copy the AZW3 file instead.

Why your EPUB was rejected, and how to fix it

When Send to Kindle can't process a book, you get an email saying the document couldn't be delivered. These are the usual causes. For a complete step-by-step checklist, see why your EPUB won't send to Kindle.

The book has DRM

DRM-protected EPUBs can't be converted. There is no fix on your side: read the book in the app of the store you bought it from.

The file is too large

Use the website (200 MB) instead of email (50 MB). If the book is still too big, it is usually because of large images, which are common in comics and photo books.

The title, author or language is missing or wrong

Send to Kindle reads the book's metadata, so a missing title or language can cause errors, and a wrong one makes the book hard to find in your library. Fix them with the EPUB metadata editor before sending.

The cover doesn't show up

Kindle takes the cover from the book's metadata. If your EPUB has no cover, or the cover isn't marked as one, you'll see a plain placeholder. Add or replace the cover and send the book again.

The file is MOBI, not EPUB

Send to Kindle no longer accepts MOBI. Convert the MOBI to EPUB first, then send the EPUB. EPUB vs MOBI explains why Amazon dropped it.

The EPUB has structural errors

Badly made EPUBs, such as files with broken internal links or invalid markup, can fail to convert. The official validator, EPUBCheck, lists the exact problems, and how to edit an EPUB covers the tools to fix them.

Will the book look the same on a Kindle?

Mostly. Text, chapters, images and the table of contents carry over. Because Amazon converts the file, some styling can change, such as fonts or spacing set by the publisher. Fixed-layout books such as comics and picture books are the most likely to look different, so check the first pages after sending. If you are deciding between formats in the first place, see EPUB vs PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Kindle Paperwhite read EPUB?

Not directly, like every Kindle model. Send the EPUB with Send to Kindle and it will be converted for your Paperwhite automatically.

Do I need to convert EPUB to MOBI for Kindle?

No. That used to be the advice, but Send to Kindle now takes EPUB and no longer takes MOBI. Send the EPUB as it is. More in EPUB vs MOBI.

Can I send an EPUB to my Kindle from my phone?

Yes. Email it to your Kindle address, or open the file and share it to the Kindle app.

Why doesn't my EPUB show up on my Kindle?

Check that your Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi and sync it. Check that you sent it from an approved email address, and look for an error email from Amazon. You can also see everything you have sent under Content & Devices → Docs on Amazon. If it still doesn't arrive, go through the eight fixes for failed Send to Kindle deliveries.

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Free EPUB tools