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How to read EPUB files on your Kindle
The open-source EPUB e-book format is great for sharing books between different readers and making life easier on readers generally--but Amazon's Kindle, the big player, doesn't support it. Fortunately, there's a free, easy workaround: Calibre, an e-book management and conversion tool that lets you quickly port your EPUB books over to your Kindle.
If you use an e-reader, it's probably a Kindle, which means it can be a pain to use open-source e-book formats like EPUB. Calibre is a free, open-source e-book manager that lets users convert EPUB files to Kindle-readable MOBI files. Here's how to use it:
- Download and install Calibre.
- When you first run it, Calibre will ask what language you want to use, and to select a folder to use as your e-book library. Next, select your primary reader.
- From the main screen, you can choose to add books by clicking the large icon in the top left. Add any EPUB files you've got that you want to convert.
- Select the EPUB files you want to convert and click "Convert books" in the top bar.
- Select your options. Calibre should have automatically decided on the MOBI format if you use a Kindle as your primary reader. You have a vast array of options to choose from, but for most EPUBs, you should find the basic setup good enough. When you're settled, click "OK" at the bottom right.
- It doesn't usually take very long, and once you've converted them, you can send them straight to your Kindle from within Calibre by selecting "Connect/share" from the top right or aiming your device at the correct folder.
Step 3: Convert e-books.
(Credit: Screenshot by Rob Lightner)
Step 5: Select optins.
(Credit: Screenshot by Rob Lightner)Of course, you can use Calibre to convert other e-book files as well. It's a powerful program that can really help folks who have multiple readers or who want to explore new formats.
