Convert Kindle to PDF with Calibre: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Kindle has remarkably changed the way readers consume book material. As the pioneer of eBooks, however, Kindle file formats do not meet universal compatibility. Kindle books are typically purchased and downloaded in AZW, KFX, AZW3, PRC, MOBI, and TPZ formats, while any other eReaders (such as Kobo, Boox, Nook, and others) do not accept these formats and instead use PDF and EPUB. This incompatibility limits your ability to manage and backup purchased eBook resources. So, to read Kindle books on other eReaders, you must first convert the Kindle AZW, TPZ, PRC, or MOBI files to PDF or EPUB format. 

Among those widely-supported formats, PDFs have consistently been the top choice for reading formats. They are not only flexible but also work seamlessly on various devices. Plus, it's easy to share and maintain the original layout of PDF files. If you want to convert Kindle books to PDFs, Calibre is always your go-to tool. Here is a guide with a brief overview of Calibre and the most detailed demonstration of using this powerful tool to convert Kindle to PDF without hassle. Let's begin.

A Brief Review of Calibre

Calibre is a powerful and influential open-source eBook manager. It excels at converting Kindle books to PDFs and many other file formats. Many users find it ideal to read Kindle content on non-Kindle devices. Additionally, Calibre supports seamless format conversions while preserving layout and structure.

Beyond conversion, it offers robust features like library organization, metadata editing, and a built-in reader. Some users may find its UI outdated and complex. However, its functionality and flexibility make it a top choice for eBook management, and it is well worth the time spent learning. In a nutshell, for anyone looking to manage eBook collections and efficiently convert Kindle to PDF, Calibre remains a dependable and free solution.

How to Use Calibre to Convert Kindle to PDF

Calibre can convert a Kindle book to a PDF for free. You just need to install an additional plugin to bypass the DRM protection from Kindle books. Here's a step-by-step guide for converting Kindle to PDF in Calibre. 

Step 1: Download and install Calibre

Download and run the newest version of Calibre on your computer. You can use either Windows, Mac, or Linux systems.  

Now, you must download a DRM-protected plugin. This will help convert DRM-protected Kindle books to PDF format. 

For example, download the latest version of the DeDRM plugin tool.

Extract the folder, and inside you'll find another zipped file. This is the plugin you need to install.

Step 2: Install the plugin

Open Calibre and click Preferences. Go to Plugins. 

Select the Load plugin from file. Then, choose the DeDRM zipped file for installation. 

Once you have installed DeDRM, navigate to Plugins and click on the File Type section. 

Tap the DeDRM plugin twice and click EInk Kindle eBooks.

Enter the Kindle serial number on the converter and tap Apply. 

Note: To find the Kindle serial number, simply move to Settings. Click "All Settings" and then select "Device Options." Then, tap Device Info on your Kindle. 

Step 3: Download the Kindle book to MOBI or AZW3

Open Amazon's website and tap Account. Go to Digital Content and Devices and select Manage Content and Devices. 

Select the eBook to download and click "Download & Transfer Via USB." Next, tap the yellow "Download" button and save the Kindle book to your PC.  

Remember: You must have a Kindle device synced to your Amazon account to download books to your PC. Suppose you only use the Kindle app on your computer or phone. In that case, you'll see an error - "You have selected content that is not compatible with any of your registered devices." It will display when you try to download specific Kindle eBooks.

Step 4: Convert Kindle book to PDF format 

Once downloaded, convert the Kindle book to PDF. On Calibre, tap Add Books in the upper-left corner. Select the downloaded Kindle eBooks. 

Select a Kindle book and check the "Convert Books" option in the top menu bar. Alternatively, right-click the book and select Convert Books. Henceforth, click either "Convert Individually" or "Bulk Convert."

Select PDF from the Output Format dropdown menu. 

Click OK in the lower corner to initiate the conversion process. 

As soon as the conversion process is complete, right-click the PDF and save it to your computer. 

An Efficient Solution to Kindle Conversion — BookFab Kindle Converter

You have seen the process to convert Kindle to PDF with Calibre. However, besides PDF, if you are looking for an open and flexible eBook format, EPUB can be your preferred choice. Unlike Kindle's proprietary formats, almost every e-reader, app, and device support the EPUB format. More importantly, compared with PDF which is a little rigid, EPUB files are more lightweight and support font and style customization, table of contents and jumping functions, as well as text selection and copying to take notes. It can enhance your reading experience across different platforms when enjoying the flexibility of eBooks. Therefore, we recommend you try BookFab Kindle Converter to convert Kindle books to EPUB for a better reading experience.

BookFab Kindle Converter

Automatically remove DRM restriction from Kindle eBooks and effortlessly convert Kindle to DRM-free EPUB files for seamless cross-platform compatibility.

BookFab Kindle Converter is a professional solution to unlock your Kindle e-library. It offers a simple and effective way to remove DRM protection automatically and convert your Kindle eBooks into widely supported EPUB format at lightening-fast speed without ruining the original quality of your book resources. It ensures speed, safety, quality, and compatibility. 

Detailed Steps for Converting Kindle with BookFab Kindle Converter

Using BookFab Kindle Converter is pretty straightforward and beginner-friendly. It enables you to convert your purchased Kindle books to the DRM-free EPUB format with just a few clicks. Here's the detailed process.

Step 1: Get BookFab Free Download and sign in to Kindle 

Install and launch BookFab. Navigate to the eBook Converter section on the left-side panel. 
Select the Amazon Kindle platform on the main screen. The integrated browser will automatically open the Kindle official website. Now, log in to your account and explore your book collection in the library. 

Step 2: Select and parse your digital book 

Open the Kindle eBook you want to convert. BookFab will automatically analyze and detect the book. Then, click the download icon in the bottom right corner of the BookFab interface. It will then parse the book and showcase all the vital book information, including the title, rating, and cover.

Step 3: Convert and download your books

After parsing, a Confirm Download window will appear. Tap the Download Now button to get started. Go to the Download List to monitor the download progress. After the download finishes, click the folder icon to open the source file, where you can find your converted DRM-free books in EPUB format. You can also convert it into an audiobook using AudioBook Creator by clicking the "e" icon.

The Bottom Line 

Kindle to PDF conversion is very easy, provided you have the required tools at hand. We have discussed the detailed process of converting Kindle to PDF with Calibre. Calibre, with its deDRM plugin to bypass DRM protection, stands out as a decent, free, and open-source tool for most users to do the job. Moreover, as an added bonus, we suggest you use BookFab Kindle Converter to convert Kindle to EPUB file, which combines the possibility of cross-platform reading and the adjustability of the eBook itself.