Best File Format to Upload to Kindle

Over the years, there have been many file types used to create books, from eBooks to Print Books.

Those file types evolve, some are discontinued, but i in particular currently reigns supreme. (Hint: it rhymes with GLEEHUB).

In this commodity, you will learn:

  1. The almost common file types for eBooks and impress
  2. Other file types common for ebooks
  3. Which file types you lot should use

Table of contents

  • EPUB (.epub)
    • When Should You Use an EPUB file?
  • PDF (.pdf)
    • When Should You Employ a PDF?
  • MOBI (.mobi)
  • AZW3 (.azw3) and KPF (.kpf)
  • Other Formats
  • What is the Best File Format for Books?
    • For Ebooks
    • For Print

There are 3 primary book file types that you should be familiar with, though one of them is already on its way out.

EPUB (.epub)

epub file formatting type

An EPUB file is the most widely used, and best supported format for an eBook. Information technology plays on almost all devices, including:

  • Kindle
  • Nook
  • Computers
  • Tablets
  • Smartphones
  • Nigh ebook readers

Virtually EPUB files are reflowable, which means that the text and images volition shift to fit the screen size of the device.

Withal, this doesn't take to be the case. EPUBs are versatile plenty that they tin be programmed to have fixed layouts if needed.

A fixed layout commonly has designs that are dependent on the layout of the text and images. These layouts are common in children's books, image/infographic-heavy non-fiction books, and comic books.

Thankfully, you can have both reflowable and fixed layout books with EPUB.

EPUB book files are based on coding standards such as XHTML, XML, CSS, and uniform with HTML5, MathML, JavaScript, and vector graphics like the popular SVG file blazon.

In other words, it's a powerful file.

Formerly, EPUBs were not published on Amazon, requiring the MOBI instead. Merely that has since changed. EPUBs tin can now be used on Amazon, and are now the recommended ebook blazon there.

When Should You Utilize an EPUB file?

Since near all eBook vendors use EPUB files these days, y'all should default to the EPUB in almost every instance where you would need an eBook. Thankfully, programs like Atticus will automatically generate an EPUB file for you when you're ready to format and publish your book.

Print, however, uses a different file format…

PDF (.pdf)

PDF book formatting file type

PDFs are another common blazon of volume file. Even so, they are better served in constructing your print books, and not as eBooks.

The PDF was a file blazon created past Adobe, and has gained widespread use ever since. They are useful for any book that requires a fixed layout, especially in impress.

When Should You lot Use a PDF?

You should utilize a PDF when uploading a impress book to Amazon, IngramSpark, or some other print service. They should never be used as eBooks. If you lot demand the fixed layout that a PDF can provide, use the fixed EPUB format.

Creating a print-gear up PDF can be tricky, which is why programs like Atticus or Kindle Create are essential tools when formatting your book.

Atticus will non but allow you create beautiful PDFs with all the formatting guidelines in place for Kindle Direct Publishing or IngramSpark, but is too available on virtually every platform, and is a lifetime purchase selection so you get all future updates for free (and believe me, there are many amazing updates coming down the pipeline).

Check Information technology Out Atticus Hither!

MOBI (.mobi)

Mobi book formatting file type

Previously, the MOBI file was another of import file type to be enlightened of, every bit information technology was the primary file used for uploading a book to Amazon'south KDP Market.

However, all that has changed.

Amazon at present accepts, and even recommends, that y'all upload your volume equally an EPUB.

Nosotros even so include MOBI files here, though, because they are nevertheless accepted past Amazon for fixed-layout books, which you lot might desire. Since the conversion process of 1 eBook format to another tin cause problems in the layout, this could exist a great style of ensuring that everything looks right earlier submitting to Amazon.

That said, the MOBI is all but expressionless.

Amazon now has two other eBook formats, AZW3 and KPF, which are the principal book file formats that Amazon uses on the user end.

When you submit a MOBI, EPUB, DOCX, or any other accepted file type to Amazon, it will usually catechumen to AZW3 or KPF.

Which is better, MOBI or EPUB? In today's marketplace, EPUB is the meliorate eBook format to employ, but there might exist some special circumstances where a MOBI file is warranted.

AZW3 (.azw3) and KPF (.kpf)

AZW3 and KPF are worth knowing because they are the primary file types used past Amazon today, using their own digital rights management (DRM) system..

  • AZW3, also known as KF8 is the eBook file that Amazon uses on its devices. It can just be viewed on Amazon devices.
  • KPF, a variant of the older KFX file, is a file type generated using Amazon's own volume formatting software, Kindle Create.

In addition to the EPUB, KDP also recommends using a KPF file type considering it will integrate seamlessly with their devices. That said, doing so is not required, and Amazon will automatically convert your EPUB to the correct format upon upload.

If you want to go the extra mile, y'all can convert your ebook to a KPF format ahead of fourth dimension and confirm that everything works the way it should, then submit to Amazon.

Still, you don't need to worry much nigh AZW3 and KPF, since these are only file types that are used on Amazon's cease, and the EPUB is more than sufficient for submitting to Amazon.

Other Formats

In addition to the five formats mentioned above, here are a handful of other volume file types you might run into, though none of them are particularly significant for most authors.

  • Mobipocket: An older e-book format used by Amazon that was officially discontinued in 2016.
  • AZW: An older version of AZW3.
  • Physician/DOCX: These will work as ebooks when uploaded to KDP, only if yous have even a modest corporeality of formatting, it very oftentimes doesn't translate well.
  • RTF/TXT: These file types will also (technically) work with KDP, but have no avant-garde formatting features.
  • IBOOKS: This file type is used by Apple, but you lot can still use an EPUB when submitting to Apple Books.
  • FB2: This is a pop ebook file type in Russia.
  • Comic Book Archive: There are a number of file extensions that you'll discover for comic books, such as .cbz, .cbr, .cb7, and more. These are essentially Zippo files that can exist unzipped to see a series of images.

For a comprehensive list of book file types, visit this page.

What is DRM?

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management, and is a course of digital protection that vendors like Amazon or Google use to protect their eBooks from widespread piracy. Basically it keeps the digital files from beingness copied and used on other devices.

While most eBooks have some form of DRM, Amazon does requite y'all the selection of removing it from your eBook formatting files

What is the All-time File Format for Books?

The best eBook format is EPUB, and the all-time print file is a PDF. We have a comprehensive comparing of the master file types that you lot tin can read, but the bottom line is this:

For Ebooks

Always since KDP allowed the use of the EPUB, information technology has become well-nigh the only ebook file type that is most compatible with all the major ebook retailers, as you lot tin can see below.

Not but that, it is also open source, extremely versatile, and widely accepted as the all-time version. We highly recommend that you lot use the EPUB equally your offset choice.

The i possible exception we would make might be a KPF file, created using Kindle Create. Using this file is one of the best ways to ensure that your book integrates seamlessly with Amazon.

That said, the EPUB works perfectly fine for nigh people, and information technology's easy to grab any issues by using the kindle previewer when uploading to KDP.

For Print

If yous are uploading to KDP Print or IngramSpark, the best choice is using a PDF file. This helps you keep the stock-still layout that you need for a seamless digital print experience.

A formatting software is a bully way to create these print PDFs. See our recommendations for all-time formatting software here.

Which File Format Will You lot Use?

Now that y'all know the ins and outs of the main book file types, which one will you use? Let united states of america know below what your experience is with these file types.

Additionally, if yous want to know more than almost formatting or converting betwixt files, cheque out these resource:

  • How to Convert EPUB to MOBI
  • Parts of a Volume
  • Best Book Formatting Software

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Source: https://kindlepreneur.com/book-formatting-file-types-explained/

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