Tips & more
Piotr Kowalczyk ⋮ Updated on October 24, 2022
Looking for free Kindle books that you can download to your computer, Kindle e-reader or Kindle app? Here are the legal online sources, plus key usage tips.
You can find Kindle compatible books not only on Amazon. Thousands of these books are free of charge, and you can download them to your Kindle completely legally from other online websites.
In the post below, we will list not only the sites with public domain books that you can use to collect free Kindle books, but also tips that will let you better manage and enjoy these sideloaded docs on your Kindle e-reader or in a Kindle application.
In general, there are up to 100,000 free classic books that are available completely for free for your Kindle, and the best place to get them is actually not the Kindle Store (although you can find here some of the classics, as well).
There are a couple of things to keep in mind to make adding own books to Kindle easier and quicker, so let’s start with the tips.
Download free Kindle books – tips
Pick up the right format – epub
For a long time, to add your own book to the Kindle from another online source, you had to pick up a mobi format, while all other ebook stores use epub.
It changed in August 2022. Since that time, the compatible Kindle format is epub. The mobi format is not supported any longer.
In other words, if you want to download any book from the sites listed in the second part of this overview, please make sure to pick up epub, not mobi.
You won’t add epub files with DRM
If you were using another ebook store, such as Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, or Google Play Books, may assume that – as these sites use epub format by default – you will be able to quickly transfer these books to the Kindle.
No, you won’t be able to add epub files from other stores to Kindle. These files, even if you have downloaded the free books from these stores, are in a vast majority protected with some kind of DRM (Digital Rights Management).
An epub file with DRM won’t be added to your Kindle library, because Amazon won’t be able to open it.
Enjoy free Kindle books in the Kindle app
You can start collecting the library of Kindle books even before buying a Kindle e-reader.
There are many free Kindle apps available for computers and smartphones/tablets, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and BlackBerry operating systems.
The key to Kindle ecosystem is your Amazon account. All ebooks you add to your Kindle virtual library will be synced across devices and apps registered with that account.
Not only the latest readlocation, but also bookmarks and notes will be synced, and this is one of the most important benefits ebooks can give.
How to add own books to Kindle
There are a couple of ways you can add own books to the Kindle e-reader or tablet/smartphone app:
1. The most popular way is to send a file to the email address associated with your device. If you buy a Kindle or download a Kindle app, first thing to do is to sign in with your Amazon account. Since that time this device/app is given a special email address to which you can send the files. You can find it in the Settings section.
2. You can also use a Send to Kindle application. It’s available for Mac and Windows, but you can also get it for Chrome and Firefox browsers. While the desktop version lets you add files stored on a computer disc, the browser extension helps add web content.
3. If you use a cloud storage service like Dropbox, you can upload the file to it from your computer, and use a Dropbox application on your tablet or phone to download the file to Kindle app.
4. If you have a Kindle e-reader, connect Kindle to your computer and drag the files into Documents folder inside the Kindle disc image.
5. If you have a Kindle app installed on your smartphone or tablet, you should be also able to add the file if you tap on it. A list of applications capable of opening it should be displayed, and if the file is in mobi format, you should see a Kindle app.
How to manage own ebooks in the Kindle library
The books you have added yourself to your Kindle library are separated from the ones you have purchased and downloaded from the Kindle Store.
- Books from the Kindle Store are called “Books”– these are all the titles that you purchased or downloaded for free from the Kindle store, including free samples.
- Books from other sources are called “Docs”– these are the files that you have added to Kindle by sending them via email, using Send to Kindle extension, or sideloading from your computer.
The two sections can be seen in filter options in both Kindle e-readers and Kindle apps for iPad/iOS and Android. Your own books are displayed with a blank page until you open them and the original cover image (if it exists) is properly rendered.
The Books vs. Docs split is even deeper on Amazon Fire tablet. Native Kindle books can be managed using “Books” app. However, if you add your own books, you should look for them in the “Docs” app, not “Books.”
Please note that you won’t be able to read your sideloaded books in the online Kindle reader at read.amazon.com. Also, any highlights and notes you have made to sideloaded books will not show up here.
Download free Kindle books – online sources
1. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is the longest-established ebook site in the world and the top place to download free classics. It’s the primary repository of free public domain ebooks.
When the title enters public domain, it means the rights to this work have expired and the book ispublicly available. On Project Gutenberg the public domain books are free to download.
It’s quite possible that elsewhere you will find the same classic titles in ebook format, for which you’ll have to pay. This is what may happen in the Kindle Store, for instance. You can get Jane Austen’s book for free from Project Gutenberg, and find out that the same title costs one or two dollars in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
A good thing about books from Project Gutenberg is that if the original print edition had illustrations, you will be also able to get them in the ebook version. If you want the illustrations, make sure to download Kindle (with images) file. Please, keep in mind that ebook files with images take much more space.
Currently, there are well over 60,000 ebooks in the Project Gutenberg catalog. You can start browsing from Frequently Downloaded Ebooks section or go directly to the Latest Releases.
The site offers a very useful Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive integration. If you connect your cloud service, you will be able to download ebooks with just one click.
It’s worth noting that you can access and download Project Gutenberg ebooks on your tablet or smartphone, in a browser, as the site is mobile friendly.
2. Smashwords
Smashwords is a top online sitewith ebooks from independent authors and publishers. There are currently over 500,000from over 100,000 self-published authors. You’ll be able not only to download books in mobi or pdf format, but also read them online in your browser.
Smashwords is a leading source of newly released independent ebooks. What’s more, if you are looking for free Kindle books in languages other than English, visit Smashwords, and you should find here books in your mother tongue.
To see which books are free to read in your internet browser, go toSmashwords’ catalog of free ebooks. Then, change the way entries are being displayed – from stacks to list. Do it by clicking the bullet list icon in the top right.
This way, next to each title you will see a list of available formats. Keep in mind that the format that’s compatible with Kindle is called “mobi.”
Currently, there are between 50,000 and 100,000 free ebooks on Smashwords. That number depends on how authors promote their books. Sometimes they make a book free for a limited time. It usually happens with first volumes of book series.
3. Kindle Store
Did you know that there are many free ebooks in the Kindle Store? The thing is how to find them.
The best way to get free books is to go to “Bestsellers in Kindle Store” and pick up “Top 100 Free”. You will be able to see the most popular free titles in the Kindle Store.
The list is being updated a couple of times a day, so it collects the hottest free titles that are currently available.
The other way to find free Kindle books is to search Amazon. While being in the Kindle Store, in the search box type “free kindle books.” This method gives an idea how many books are free in Amazon’s own ebook platform.
Please, keep in mind that to access free books in the Kindle Store, you have to be signed in with your Amazon account and have a Kindle or Kindle app registered with the same credentials.
Otherwise, you would not be able to get free ebooks from the Kindle Store to your device. The process of delivering an ebook is different from downloading a file to your computer’s disc. It’s performed via your personal Kindle library in the cloud.
4. Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with a mission of “universal access to all knowledge.”The website is a huge digital library of text, audio and video files.
The catalog includesover 25,000,000 fully accessible books and other text files. From here, you can also start browsing a collection of 1.3 million contemporary ebooks that you will be able to borrow for free once you register an account.
The ebook section is available atarchive.org/details/texts. Sub-collections include American Libraries, Canadian Libraries, books from Project Gutenberg, titles fromthe Million Books Project, and books for children.
When you find an interesting book, click on its cover and a read-online panel will open right away. To find downloadable files, scroll down the page a bit. On the right side, you will see all available formats
In most cases, mobi format will be included – here it is called Kindle.
5. Open Library
Open Library is Internet Archive’sseparate project, focused on collecting library records. Its goal is tocreate one web page for every book ever published. On a page of a single book, you’ll find all its documented editions.
Compared to the Internet Archive, with its vast catalog and advanced search features, the Open Library website is simpler and more user-friendly, and you can find the books you need much quicker.
When you go toClassic Bookssection, you will find over 3 million books that are “accessible,” which means they are free to read online or download.
To find a Kindle format of a book you like to read, open the page with its details. Then, in the left-side column, right under the book cover, you will see “Download Options.” Click on “mobi” and the file will start downloading immediately.
Open Library is more than just a catalog of free classic books. It also shows contemporary books that are free to read if you decide to borrow them.
To do that, you may need to register at Open Library or find the book in your local library using WorldCat or Library Link. Each library book is marked with a “Borrow” button instead of “Read.”
6. ManyBooks
ManyBooks offers free books in a clean and friendly interface. The site is ad supported but these ads are displayed usually at the bottom of the browser window and are not too disturbing.
Most books are sourced from Project Gutenberg and other sites that offer books with a Creative Commons license.
In total, over 50 thousand books are available, all with nicely designed covers. Plus, each book is available in several file formats, a lot more than what you can find elsewhere.
The major disadvantage on ManyBooks is that if you want to download the file, you will have to register an account. It’s up to you whether you want to do this or use other sites such as Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive.
To see download options, select the book you want, open the book’s product page, and click on a big button saying “Free Download.” Then, choose “mobi” from a list of available formats.
If you don’t want to sign up for ManyBooks, you can read any book for free in your internet browser. After you find the book you want to read, go to this book’s details page and click on a large “Read Online” button.
7. Goodreads
The largest book discovery site, Goodreads, offers also books in mobi/Kindle format –they are uploaded by Goodreads users and displayed in a special catalog.
Books with Free Download catalog on Goodreads is not huge – there are only 2,500 titles listed here, but they are very interesting ones.
For instance, you can downloadHarry Potter: The Prequel by J.K. Rowling,a short story set about three years before the birth of Harry Potter. It recounts an adventure experienced by Sirius Black and James Potter.
Books that you can download in full length from Goodreads are labeled with “Download eBook” button on the list of results.
When you open a book page, you will see a row of buttons. Click on ‘Download eBook” to see a list of available formats. Please note that not all books are offered in a format that’s compatible with Kindle.
8. BookRix
BookRix is a platform that offers books from self-published authors combined with free books from the public domain.
A catalog of free ebooksis an essential part of the website. On the top of a list, you will find the most popular categories, including literary fiction, fantasy, romance, thrillers, and young adult fiction.
When you enter any category, you will see books sorted by the popularity. On the top, you will see free books offered by contemporary authors.
Many classic titles from the public domain are also included in the BookRix directory of free ebooks. You will find them in the Fiction category.
When you find the book you want to read, click on its cover or title to enter the book details page.Find the “Download” button placed next to the book cover and click on it.
Please note that not all titles are available in mobi format., and there is no way to filter books by format, so you will have to check out Kindle compatibility once you find the book you would like to read.
9. DigiLibraries
The site is an online ebook catalog, where you can find almost 30,000 titles – all of them are free. The site is very clean and easy to explore, and this is what makes it worth exploring.
Most probably, you won’t need a search box at all. Most popular categories are featured on the left sidebar, and you can just pick up the one you are interested in to see books listed by popularity.
Plus, if a category is large enough, you can further narrow down the list of displayed books by selecting one of sub categories. There are several categories to choose from.
The most popular are Poetry, Juvenile Fiction, and Literary Collections.
It’s easy to download a Kindle compatible file. Simply, find “Download options” panel located on the right side of the book’s cover, and click on “Mobi Kindle” icon to start downloading the file.
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FAQs
Is there a way to download books for free on Kindle? ›
Search the Kindle bookstore on your device or Amazon.com
On the Amazon website, you can navigate to the Free Kindle eBooks section to find free books. You'll find books organized into categories that you can browse through at your leisure.
PDFs can be added to your Kindle through a direct file transfer, by connecting it to your computer via a USB cable. Drag the relevant file into Kindle > Documents and it should appear in your library. If you don't have a USB cable, the best way to send a file to your Kindle is via email. 1.
How do I download free eBooks from public library to my Kindle? ›Go to the website of your local public library and search for "Kindle books" or "eBooks." At checkout, sign in to your Amazon account and select the device to which you want to send the book. Connect your device to Wi-Fi and download the title from the Archived Items or Cloud.
Is there anyway to get Kindle Unlimited for free? ›If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can either get Kindle Unlimited for free or at a discounted price using any of the methods mentioned above. Alternatively, you can also access the Prime Reading service offered specifically for Amazon Prime members, which also provides options to read books for free.
How do I download a book without buying it? ›- Free Ebooks.Net. This site has some free ebooks you can download or view on your computer. ...
- Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg provides access to over 30,000 free ebooks that you can either view on your computer or download to a device. ...
- Obooko. ...
- Manybooks.net. ...
- Scribd.
Go to your Library. If you're on a computer, double-click on the book cover. If you're on a mobile device, select the book cover. A progress bar updates as the book downloads.
Is MOBI or Epub better for Kindle? ›If you're using anything other than a Kindle or the Kindle app, then EPUB is the better format. The only real reason to use MOBI is for compatibility with Amazon's e-reader and app, but otherwise it has no advantages over EPUB, which is a widely accepted format that is much easier to work with.
How do I download books to my Kindle without the app? ›To download Kindle books to your computer, log in to your Amazon account on your computer. Hover over your account name. From the dropdown, click on “content & devices”. Now, click on “More Actions” for the book you wish to download and select the “Download & transfer via USB” option.
What file format does Kindle use? ›AZW files, also known as Kindle files, were developed by Amazon for its Kindle eReaders, replacing MOBI files. AZW files use the MOBI format, but contains DRM protection that only allows them to be read on Kindles or devices with Kindle apps.
What library apps work with Kindle? ›Borrowing Kindle Books from your library's OverDrive website or the OverDrive app. You can borrow Kindle Books from your library's OverDrive website or the OverDrive app, then read them on Kindle devices or Kindle reading apps. Note: Kindle Books are currently available for U.S. libraries only.
Can I put epub on Kindle? ›
After 14 years, the electronic reader will allow the use of the most popular format of digital books.
How do I download an ebook from the public domain? ›- Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg is a top destination for free ebooks on the web. ...
- Europeana. ...
- Digital Public Library of America. ...
- Internet Archive. ...
- Open Library. ...
- Feedbooks. ...
- Manybooks. ...
- DailyLit.
You can borrow up to 20 titles on Kindle Unlimited. Kindle Unlimited doesn't have a due date for returning the books. It allows you to keep 20 ebooks in your library.
How many books can I read for free with Kindle Unlimited? ›How does Kindle Unlimited work? Kindle Unlimited lets you borrow up to 10 books, audiobooks, and magazines at a time, and then return them whenever you're done! Again, you can read KU titles on any device — not just a Kindle — so long as you have an Amazon account.
How many free books do you get per month with Kindle Unlimited? ›What is Kindle Unlimited? Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that allows you to borrow and read an unlimited number of books each month from over one million titles available in Amazon's Kindle Unlimited library. Yes, that's right—you can read as many books as you want each month using this service. No limits!
Where is the best place to download free books? ›ManyBooks is one of the best resources on the web for free books in a variety of download formats. There are hundreds of titles here in all sorts of interesting genres, and they're completely free. Not all the books are classics, so if you're into other genres, this site is a good alternative to others in this list.
How do I download a book from Amazon without paying? ›The best way to get free books is to go to “Bestsellers in Kindle Store” and pick up “Top 100 Free”. You will be able to see the most popular free titles in the Kindle Store. The list is being updated a couple of times a day, so it collects the hottest free titles that are currently available.
Is there a free ebook library? ›Project Gutenberg is a library of over 60,000 free eBooks
Choose among free epub and Kindle eBooks, download them or read them online. You will find the world's great literature here, with focus on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired.
- On Amazon's website, go to your "Manage Your Content and Devices" page.
- Find the title in the "Content" list, then select. .
- Select Download & transfer via USB in the pop-up window.
- Follow Amazon's prompts to finish the transfer.
Enter Desktop mode and open "File Explorer" to find your Kindle under "Devices and Drives". Open your Kindle device folder and then open its "Documents" folder. 3. Navigate to the folder that has saved your documents, then copy and paste documents to the "Documents" folder inside your Kindle device folder.
Why is Kindle getting rid of MOBI? ›
MOBI and AZW are now outdated. Newer software features on Kindle devices and in the Kindle app will not work for these files. Any MOBI/AZW files already in your library will still exist and will still open, but may not have all features available as mentioned above.
What e reader is better than Kindle? ›Amazon makes the best e-readers, but if you don't like the Kindle devices or Amazon as a company, the Kobo Clara HD is the best alternative.
Can I put my own MOBI books on Kindle? ›Mobi Format
Attach the file to an email, send it to your Kindle's email address (with any subject, and nothing in the body of the email), and it should appear on your Kindle shortly. You can also drag and drop the file onto your Kindle if you attach the device to your PC with a USB cable.
Since ePUB files are supported by majority of the eBook readers, it gives the authors and publishers a chance to expand their reader base. PDF files can be read on almost all devices, but you cannot read them on all eReaders. They are not designed to be displayed on an eBook reader.
What is difference between OverDrive and Libby? ›Libby is great if you just want to download a book to your Android or iOS phone or tablet. OverDrive is the “classic” app, and is compatible with more devices, including Kindle Fire, Macs, PCs, and Windows mobile devices. It also allows for transfer to MP3 players from computers.
Can you use other book apps on Kindle? ›You don't need the Kindle app to be able to read them. You can pick up any other app that supports the same file formats as the Kindle – mobi or prc.
Does Kindle use PDF or EPUB? ›Amazon (and Kindle, obviously) accept EPUBs in their marketplace (which are automatically converted to their own AZW3 file). Most other marketplaces accept EPUBs, and some accept multiple formats. Kobo also accepts EPUBs. Apple Books and Google Play accept EPUBs and PDFs.
How do I find an open source book? ›- Open Textbook Library. The Open Textbook Network created this database of peer-reviewed, open-source texts. ...
- OpenStax. ...
- Open Course Library. ...
- BC Campus Open Textbooks. ...
- College Open Textbooks. ...
- Open Culture. ...
- OER Commons: Open Textbooks. ...
- Open Textbook Catalog.
Public domain books, which are free to download and are no longer under copyright, are a great way to explore everything from classic novels to computer manuals. Here are 13 sources for free books or e-books in the public domain that you can download or read in a browser.
Do Kindle books expire? ›Once the lending period for a Kindle Book ends, it will expire and automatically return to your library (you can also return it early if you'd like). Expired Kindle Books still appear on your Kindle device or reading app but can't be opened.
What happens to books after Kindle Unlimited expires? ›
After the billing date passes, you will lose access to Kindle Unlimited books that you have downloaded. However, your bookmarks, notes, and highlights within the book will be saved to your Amazon account. They are available if you access the book in the future.
How many Kindle Unlimited books can I borrow 2022? ›Use your Amazon account to borrow up to 20 eligible Kindle Unlimited titles at a time. Kindle Unlimited titles display a badge in the Kindle Store for easy identification. Access borrowed titles from your Amazon device or Kindle reading app, even while traveling.
Do books get taken off of Kindle Unlimited? ›Do you own the books you get from Kindle Unlimited? No, it's like a lending library – once you cancel your subscription, you'll no longer have access to those books.
Do Kindle Unlimited books stay in your library? ›A: If you cancel kindle unlimited, you can not keep the books you've borrowed. Any books you've paid for are yours forever. You can also borrow Prime books if you have Amazon Prime. Helpful?
How much is Kindle Unlimited 2022? ›A Kindle Unlimited subscription costs $9.99 per month. There's also a 30-day free trial, which you can use to see how you like the service before putting any money down.
Do authors still get paid for Kindle Unlimited? ›You'll get one royalty payment for Kindle Unlimited (KU). We'll pay according to the same payment schedule and payment method you selected for your other KDP sales. We review the size of the KDP Select Global Fund each month in order to make it compelling for authors to enroll their eBooks in KDP Select.
How long can you keep a Kindle Unlimited book? ›Kindle Unlimited titles can be read on any Amazon device or Kindle app. You can borrow titles as often as you want with no due dates, and can keep up to ten at a time.
How do I get unlimited on my Kindle? ›- Make sure you are signed into an Amazon account other than that of yourself.
- Open the “Gift Kindle Unlimited” page by clicking on the link.
- Choose the membership duration from the 6-month, 12-month, or 24-month option.
- Sign up for an Amazon membership. In order to use Kindle Unlimited, you'll have to be an Amazon member, but not necessarily an Amazon Prime member. ...
- Connect a credit card. ...
- Enable one-click payment. ...
- Sign up for Kindle Unlimited. ...
- Begin browsing. ...
- Return your books.
But, one question you may have in mind is whether all books are free with Kindle Unlimited! All books available as part of the Kindle Unlimited library on Amazon are entirely free for Kindle Unlimited members. However, you still have to pay for books that are not available with Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Why are old books free on Kindle? ›
Why are some ebooks free? It's not hard to find free Kindle books that are completely legal to download and read. Most fall into the public domain because the author's copyright has expired.
Where can I find free books? ›- Project Gutenberg. ...
- The Online Books Page. ...
- Kindle Store. ...
- Smashwords. ...
- BookBub. ...
- Robin Reads. ...
- eReader News Today. ...
- FreeBooksy.
Every month customers can choose one of the Kindle books selected by our editors for $1.99, or FREE for Prime members. In participating months, they can also purchase select print editions (up to 10 copies of each title) for $9.99 or less.