What Is The Best eBook Format for Kindle in 2024?

Last updated: 02/01/2024 Written by: Ruby Layram

To sell eBooks on the Amazon Kindle store, you need to make sure that your books are formatted correctly. The best eBook format for Kindle is AZW which is a variant of MOBI. Your eBook should also meet Kindle cover size criteria which ask for a minimum of 1000 pixels in height and 625 pixels in width and a maximum of 10,000 pixels in height and width. The best height-to-width ratio for Kindle eBooks is 1:6:1.

It is possible to upload eBooks that use different formatting or sizing. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best eBook format for Kindle depending on the type of eBook that you wish to publish.

Getting the formatting of your eBook right is a vital part of delivering a good quality product to your customer. If your eBook is not formatted correctly, Kindle may compress the text to much or cut off parts of the page.

What Format Do eBooks Need to Be for Kindle?

The best format for Kindle eBooks is AZW however, Kindle Direct Publishing accepts a variety of formats. Here is an overview of the different formats accepted by KDP and why each format may be used.

Also read: How make money selling eBooks on Amazon without writing them

AZW

The AZW format is a version of the MOBI format and is used by Amazon for most Kindle eBooks. AZW is an extension that is used exclusively on Amazon Kindle so, any eBooks with this format are Amazon Kindle eBooks. AZW is also known as Kindle Format (KF8). Books with this format have DRM protection which means that they can only be accessed by authorized devices.

AZW is the preferred format for Kindle eBooks because these files are easily compressible and will only work on Amazon devices. It is possible to convert files into AZW format with free format conversion tools. You will not be able to open AZW files on device that are not compatible with Amazon Kindle.

MOBI

Another format supported by Kindle is MOBI. You can convert your eBooks files into MOBI online and upload them directly to KDP. MOBI is a good format to use if you have a fixed-format eBook with lots of images. Files that are uploaded to KDP with MOBI formatting will remain the same as when you designed them.

If you choose to use MOBI, make sure that your design works well on Kindle by validating the file with the Kindle Previewer.

EPUB

eBooks that use the EPUB format are compatible with most electronic devices. This is a good format to use if you plan on publishing your eBook on multiple platforms. Files that use this format can adapt to fit any screen size. EPUB is widely considered to be the industry standard for eBooks because of it’s adaptability.

KFP

Kindle Package Format (KFP) is the easiest format to use for publishing eBooks on Kindle. The KFP format allows eBooks to seamlessly fit all Kindle devices and is a good option to choose if you want to avoid formatting issues.

You can create a KFP file by using Kindle Create, which is available on PC and MAC devices. Kindle Create is a great tool for beginners and provides a range of professionally designed templates for publishers to use.

Kindle Create offers many benefits to users including templates for themes and styles, an interactive table of contents, the ability to insert high-quality images into your book and an eBook previewing feature.

Microsoft Word DOC/DOCX

It is possible to upload eBooks to KDP as DOC/DOCX files. This is perhaps the most easily accessible type of format, however, files with complex formatting may not convert well when they are uploaded to the publishing system.

Publishers who use this format should always check the appearance of their book on the Kindle Previewer before publishing. Word files are easy to download onto your PC and do not require any conversion software. However, people who use this format should be prepared to go through some alterations to make the file fit well with KDP.

What Size Do eBooks Need To Be for Kindle?

Kindle eBook dimensions are 22.2 x 35.6 inch and publishers should try to create files with these dimensions to avoid formatting issues.

It is possible to upload a variety of sized eBook files to Kindle and these will usually be compressed to fit eBook reader screens. However, some file sizes may not work well on screen. It is a good idea to check the appearance of your eBook in the Kindle Previewer after uploading it.

General guidelines state that eBook covers should not exceed 10,000 pixels in height or width and should be a minimum of 1000 pixels in height and 625 pixels in width. Books within these dimensions can be easily compressed to fit different screen sizes which will make them readable.

When you upload your eBook to KDP, you will be notified if your file is too big or small for the platform. To fix sizing issues, simply resize your file and upload it again. It is a good idea to use an eBook creation tool that supports Kindle formatting so that you can avoid too many issues. For example, Canva provides Kindle eBook templates that are the right size and shape for Kindle formatting.

Best eBook Format for Kindle - Conclusion

In this article, we have covered the best eBook format for Kindle Direct Publishing. By following the format recommendations that are listed above, you can avoid running into issues when uploading your eBooks onto the publishing platform. This will make it easier to sell your books and run a successful Amazon Kindle eBook business.

Also read: 10 Profitable eBook Ideas with Low Competition in 2024