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Contact UsMOBI Support for Reflowable eBooks Frequently Asked Questions
This page provides information about MOBI support for reflowable eBooks and common concerns that might arise when publishing your eBooks through KDP.
Starting August 1, 2021, we will no longer support MOBI files for reflowable eBooks. Use EPUB, DOCX or KPF to publish new or update reflowable eBooks.
Starting August 1, 2021, we will no longer support MOBI files for reflowable eBooks. Use EPUB, DOCX or KPF to publish new or update reflowable eBooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are reflowable and fixed-layout eBooks?
Reflowable eBooks allow the reader to resize text and adapt to the screen sizes where customers read them to provide the best reading experience. On the other hand, fixed-layout eBooks (e.g. those created using Kindle Comic Creator or Kindle Kids’ Book Creator) have a fixed page size, typically with image backgrounds where the size of the text cannot be adjusted.2. Why is Amazon ending support for publishing MOBI reflowable files?
We are constantly evaluating our product and service offerings to best serve our publishers. We listened to your feedback and are making it simpler for authors and publishers to create reflowable eBooks by removing overheads associated with MOBI file creation. Hence, we ask publishers to provide EPUB, DOC/DOCX (Microsoft Word) or KPF (Kindle Create) files for reflowable eBooks and move away from legacy MOBI creation workflows.3. When should I stop providing MOBI files for reflowable eBooks?
We recommend authors and publishers to start providing EPUB, DOC/DOCX or KPF files as soon as possible for new and/or updated version of your reflowable eBooks. We will officially stop accepting MOBI files for reflowable eBooks on August 1, 2021.4. Does this change also impact fixed-layout eBooks?
There is no change to the guidance for fixed-layout eBooks. You can continue using both EPUB and MOBI files that are created with the specifications outlined in Kindle Publishing Guidelines for fixed-layout content.5. Do I have to provide EPUB versions of all of my previously published reflowable eBooks?
No, this change only applies to new uploads, i.e, new reflowable eBooks or revisions to previously published reflowable eBooks. No action is required for previously published eBooks that are not being updated.6. How can I create books in recommended format (EPUB, DOCX, KPF)?
To learn how to create reflowable eBook files in the accepted formats, click here.7. Does Amazon have a mandatory requirement for the EPUB format, like EPUB 2.0 or EPUB 3.0?
Amazon accepts EPUB files that meet the specifications outlined in Kindle Publishing Guidelines.8. How can I test my eBook before publication?
The best way to test an eBook before publishing is with Kindle Previewer or KDP Online Previewer. You can also use the built-in previewer to test your books if you use Kindle Create. If you’d like to check how your eBook would look on devices that don’t support Enhanced Typesetting, you can export your eBook as MOBI by using Kindle Previewer 3. At present, there is no way to test Enhanced Typesetting enabled eBooks on devices.9. Will customers receive an updated version of my reflowable eBook if I re-upload an EPUB file?
No. Kindle processes both EPUB and MOBI files the same way, and the customer receives a file based on the capabilities of the device they are reading on.10. Will this change have impact in royalty calculations?
No, this change have no impact in royalty calculations.11. How can I preview my eBook in my Kindle device?
To preview your eBook in your Kindle device:
- Download the HTML of your converted book in the Preview on your Kindle device dropdown.
- This will download a .ZIP file to your computer, rename this .ZIP file to a .EPUB. Follow these instructions on how to rename your file for Mac or Windows.
- Open the .EPUB file on the Kindle Previewer. The Kindle Previewer will start converting your file, once it finishes you will be able to preview your book.
- On the Kindle Previewer menu, click File > Export and save this file as type: Books(.mobi) - to sideload on older Kindle devices (*.mobi).
- Once the export is completed you will get an export successful alert.
- You can also send the mobi exported to your Send-to-Kindle-e-mail address to view on your Kindle. Learn more about sending files to Kindle via email.
You can also preview your file on your computer with Kindle Previewer. This will provide the most up to date previewing experience and show enhanced typesetting features.
Note: If you're uploading a textbook with interactive features, those features won't display in the Online Previewer. You'll need to use the Kindle Create previewer or download Kindle Previewer, which will also allow you to see how your book will look with enhanced typesetting conversion.Creating reflowable eBook files in EPUB, DOCX, KPF
- For Word (DOCX) files, see our KDP eBook Manuscript formatting guide.
- For Kindle Create (KPF) files, see our Kindle Create help page.
- For EPUB files:
- If you worked with a professional formatter to prepare your eBook, please ask them for an EPUB file that can be uploaded on kdp.amazon.com that meet our specifications outlined in Kindle Publishing Guidelines.
- If you used a formatting application to prepare your eBook, export the file in EPUB format and upload it on kdp.amazon.com. Find below directions on how you can export your eBook as EPUB using popular applications:
- Vellum: Vellum generates Kindle ready EPUB files when you generate your ebooks. The Kindle generate option produces a Kindle ready EPUB file. You can find more information on these help pages:
- https://help.vellum.pub/generating/
- https://help.vellum.pub/generating/kindle-ebook-format/
- Scrivener: You can use the EPUB3 or EPUB2 options when compiling your file. Watch this video explaining various compilation options in Scrivener.
- Sigil: Sigil uses the EPUB format to save files. You can use the EPUB files to publish on KDP. For more information, refer to the Sigil user guide.
- Reedsy: Use the exported EPUB file for publishing on KDP. To export the EPUB file, you can refer the Reedsy tutorial video.
- Jutoh: To create and EPUB file for publishing, you an click on File Menu -> Export -> EPUB.
- Vellum: Vellum generates Kindle ready EPUB files when you generate your ebooks. The Kindle generate option produces a Kindle ready EPUB file. You can find more information on these help pages:
