How to Convert Kindle to PDF on Windows, Mac, or Online
Summary:This article compares the best ways to convert Kindle books to PDF, showing what each tool does well, where it falls short, and who it suits. With step-by-step examples for Windows, Mac, and online conversion, it helps you pick a method that fits your budget, technical comfort level, and whether you need to handle DRM-protected titles.
Table of Contents
Kindle eBooks are usually delivered in Amazon-only formats such as AZW or KFX and are tied to your Kindle apps and devices. That works fine if you read everything there, but it becomes awkward when you want to print a chapter, annotate in a desktop PDF reader, or keep a long-term backup outside your Amazon account. A neutral PDF file is easier to store, search, and open on almost any device.
The sections below cover several ways to convert Kindle eBooks to PDF on Windows, Mac, and in a browser, using tools such as Calibre, Epubor Ultimate, and online converters. Each method has its own setup steps and limits, especially when DRM is involved.
Benefits of Converting Kindle Books to PDF
- Easier Access Across Multiple Devices: no Kindle apps are required to read your e-books on any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- Seamless Sharing: share excerpts with friends, colleagues, or study groups without format restrictions.
- Preserved Formatting: maintain layouts, original fonts, and structure for professional use in reports or presentations.
- Offline & Long-Term Use: keep access to your books without needing an internet connection or Kindle apps.
- Quick Navigation: use bookmarks, search, and highlights to locate specific chapters, or notes faster.
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Disclaimer:
Converting Kindle to PDF for personal use is generally permitted, allowing you to enjoy e-books on different devices conveniently. However, due to copyright restrictions, you should not distribute, share, or sell the converted PDF files. Ensure that your use complies with the terms of service of your e-book provider and applicable copyright laws in your region.
Convert Kindle Books to PDF with Calibre
Calibre is the main free option in this guide: an open-source eBook manager that also works as a Kindle to PDF converter. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can convert Kindle formats such as AZW, MOBI, and KFX to PDF. You can adjust page size, margins, fonts, and other output settings, so it suits readers who want to organize their own library and fine-tune the final PDF layout instead of paying for commercial software.
Pros:
- Free and open-source software with no subscription.
- Converts Kindle books to PDF and supports 50+ eBook formats.
- Built-in metadata editor to customize book details and covers.
- Supports bulk conversion and library management for large eBook collections.
Cons:
- Interface may feel complex or outdated for beginners.
- You need to install an extra plugin if your book is DRM-protected.
Steps to Convert Kindle Books to PDF in Calibre (Free Tool)
Step 1: Install Calibre and prepare your Kindle files
Download Calibre from the official website and install the version that matches your system. Before you add anything to Calibre, make sure your Kindle books have been downloaded on your compute, not just listed in the cloud or inside the Kindle app.
Step 2: Check DRM and, if needed, add a DeDRM plugin
Many purchased Kindle books are protected by DRM, which can prevent Calibre from converting them directly. For non-DRM books, you can skip this step.
If local laws in your region allow it, you can install a third-party DeDRM plugin to remove DRM before conversion. In Calibre, you can add a plugin by going to Preferences → Plugins → Load plugin from file, selecting the plugin file, confirming the warning, and then restarting Calibre.
Step 3: Add your Kindle books to Calibre
Open Calibre and click the "Add books" button on the top toolbar. In the file browser, go to the folder where your Kindle files are stored, select the titles, and click Open.
Step 4: (Optional) Edit metadata before converting
In the main list, select a book you plan to convert. If you care about how the PDF is labeled, click the "Edit metadata" button to adjust the title, cover image, and other details.
Step 5: Start the Kindle to PDF conversion
With the book still selected, click the "Convert books" button on the toolbar. In the conversion window, choose PDF as the Output format from the drop-down menu. If needed, adjust options such as page size, margins, or fonts in the left-hand tabs. When everything looks right, click "OK" to start converting the Kindle book to PDF in Calibre.
Step 6: Wait for the conversion job to finish
When the status changes to "Jobs: 0", Calibre has finished processing all active conversions. You can click the Jobs area to view a log if you want to check for any errors during the conversion.
Step 7: Locate your converted PDF in Calibre
Go back to the main Calibre window and select the book again. Both the original and the converted books will be in the "Formats" if the Kindle to PDF conversion was successful.
Convert Kindle to PDF with Epubor Ultimate
Epubor Ultimate is an intuitive eBook converter for handling DRM-protected Kindle eBooks. Unlike many tools that require separate steps for DRM removal and format conversion, Epubor quickly converts Kindle to PDF in just a few clicks. It also has strong compatibility with the latest Kindle for PC and Mac versions.
Pros:
- Combines format conversion and DRM removal in a single tool.
- Supports converting multiple Kindle books to PDF at once.
- Retains original layout, images, and fonts for professional-looking PDFs.
Cons:
- Full functionality requires a purchase.
- No official Linux version available.
- It lacks advanced tools for metadata editing.
How to Convert Kindle to PDF with Epubor Ultimate
Step 1: Download and install Epubor Ultimate on your computer.
Step 2: Make sure you've downloaded your Kindle books locally. Epubor Ultimate needs access to the local files to proceed.
After downloading, Epubor Ultimate will automatically detect and display them under the Kindle section on the left panel. You can also click "Kindle" manually if the list doesn't load immediately.
Step 3: Simply drag one or multiple books from the left panel to the right pane. Epubor will remove DRM and prepare them for conversion.
Step 4: At the bottom right corner, choose "PDF" as the output format from the dropdown menu, then click "Convert to PDF". The progress bar will show the status of each file.
Top Two Online Kindle to PDF Converters
Zamzar
If you’re looking for a browser-based way to convert Kindle files to PDF, you can take Zamzar into account. Offering a simple drag-and-drop interface and support for popular formats, Zamzar lets you convert DRM-free Kindle eBooks without installing any software.
Pros:
- No cost and no need to install additional software.
- Allows direct upload from cloud services (Google Drive, OneDrive).
- Compatible with multiple Kindle formats, including AZW, MOBI and PRC.
Cons:
- Cannot convert DRM-protected Kindle books.
- File size limit (up to 50MB for free users).
- You must provide an email to receive converted files.
- Converting multiple books can be slow and cumbersome.
How to convert Kindle books to PDF Online with Zamzar
Step 1: Upload your Kindle file to Zamzar
Open the Zamzar AZW-to-PDF converter in your browser. Click "Choose Files" and select your Kindle file from your computer, or drag and drop it into the upload area. You can also import files from cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive if needed.
Keep in mind that free accounts have a size limit, so very large Kindle files may require you to sign up for a plan.
Step 2: Choose PDF as the output format and start the conversion
In the "Convert To" drop-down list, select PDF as the target format. Then click "Convert Now" to start converting your Kindle file to PDF. For small, DRM-free files, the process usually finishes in a short time.
Step 3: Download the converted PDF to your device
Once the conversion is complete, Zamzar will display a Download button next to your file. Click it to save the PDF to your computer or device. Converted files are stored on the servers only for a limited time, so it's best to back up your PDF promptly. Note that, like other online converters, Zamzar works with DRM-free Kindle files.
Online-Convert
While Zamzar is handy for quick conversions, Online-Convert is better suited if you want an online tool with more eBook-specific options and presets. It offers a dedicated AZW-to-PDF converter in the eBook section and runs entirely in your browser. You upload your Kindle file from your computer and, if you use an account, you can also pull files from cloud storage services. Beyond Kindle eBooks, the same service can convert many other document and image formats to PDF as well.
Pros:
- Supports multiple input sources: upload from device, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
- The same platform can convert many document, image, and other file types to PDF.
- Offers optional eBook settings, such as base font size, embedded fonts, etc.
Cons:
- Cannot process DRM-protected Kindle books.
- Faster processing, and large batch conversions rely on paid plans that use Credits.
How to convert Kindle to PDF with Online-Convert
Step 1: In your browser, go to Online-Convert's AZW to PDF page in the eBook converter section. Click "Choose file" and select your Kindle Book. If you use an account, you can usually also pick files from connected cloud storage or add a sample file to test the converter.
Step 2: Below the upload area, you'll see Optional settings for eBooks. Here you can adjust the base font size, choose whether to embed fonts, pick a target eBook reader profile, change the title, or add a border. For a quick test, you can leave these at their default values and just convert with the standard settings.
Step 3: When you're ready, click Start button. Online-Convert will upload your Kindle file and convert it to PDF on the server.
Step 4: When the conversion finishes, the page will show your file in the results list with a Download button. Click it to save the PDF to your computer, or, if you're signed in and your plan allows it, choose one of the options to send or store the file via your connected cloud services.
FAQs
In many regions, if you bought a Kindle eBook legally, making a copy in another format (such as PDF) for your own private use is treated as format shifting and may be tolerated. That said, copyright laws differ from country to country. Removing or bypassing Amazon's DRM can be restricted, and sharing, uploading the converted PDF is usually not allowed.
Yes. After you purchase a Kindle book, you can read it with the Kindle app on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android. On a computer, you can also download many titles via Amazon's "Manage Your Content and Devices" page or through the Kindle for PC/Mac app.
The downloaded files are intended to be used inside the Kindle ecosystem. If you need DRM-free PDFs, look for legally offered titles, such as public-domain books from reputable eBook sites or publishers that explicitly sell DRM-free editions, not from unofficial download or torrent sites.
For a typical novel-length Kindle book, the actual conversion step is usually quite short, often from a few seconds to a couple of minutes on a modern computer. The real time cost often comes from other factors: downloading the original Kindle file, dealing with DRM where local law allows it, uploading large files to an online converter, or converting several books in a batch.
Desktop tools such as Calibre tend to be faster once everything is set up. Online converters may take longer if your internet connection is slow or if the service is busy.
Kindle devices and apps support several eBook formats:
- MOBI – Older format compatible with early Kindle devices.
- AZW and AZW3 (KF8) – Amazon's proprietary formats for most Kindle Store purchases
- KFX – A more recent Amazon format that can include enhanced layout, and DRM features.
- EPUB – Newer Kindle apps and devices can accept EPUB files sent via Send to Kindle or uploaded through your Amazon account. In the background, Amazon converts these EPUBs to its own internal Kindle format for reading.
Conclusion
Converting a Kindle book to PDF can be useful when you need to read on non-Kindle devices or keep a local backup. Which method works best depends on how often you convert, whether your books are protected by DRM, and how much control you want over layout and metadata.
Free tools like Calibre are well suited to readers who want to manage a larger personal library and fine-tune the resulting PDF. Epubor Ultimate focuses on simplifying the workflow for purchased titles where local law allows DRM handling. Online services are convenient for occasional, DRM-free conversions when you just need a quick PDF from your browser.
