How to Convert Kindle Books to EPUB Easily [2026 Verified]

If you've tried to convert Kindle to EPUB lately, you’ve probably noticed the process is not as straightforward as it used to be. A lot of Kinde users on Reddit are running into the same wall: newer Kindle books download in tougher formats like KFX-ZIP, Calibre setups that worked before suddenly stop working, and older Kindle for PC workflows no longer handle many post-2025 books reliably. So if your goal is simple, turn a Kindle book into a readable EPUB without wasting an afternoon on broken plugins and version rollback, this guide will walk you through 2 best free Kindle to EPUB converters that still make sense on Windows and macOS. 

Method 1: Convert Kindle to EPUB with BookFab Kindle Converter (Win/Mac)

• Best for: Converting newer Kindle books to EPUB; a practical choice for both Windows and macOS users who want a simpler workflow without being tied to a specific Kindle for PC version.

BookFab Kindle Converter is a reliable Kindle to EPUB converter built for readers who want a more straightforward way to handle modern Kindle books. What makes it appealing is that it is designed for the formats that trip people up most often now, including AZW3 and KFX files, while keeping the steps simple enough that you do not have to micromanage plugins. That is especially useful if you want to convert Kindle to EPUB for newer books, need a free Kindle to EPUB converter that feels less fragile than a community-built workaround, or simply want something that works on both Windows and, now, macOS. The following section shows how to turn Kindle to EPUB with BookFab Kindle Converter.

Step 1. Download BookFab and Select Kindle Converter

Download and install BookFab on your computer. Once installed, launch the program and click Kindle Converter in the left sidebar. This will take you to the main Kindle conversion workspace.

Step 2. Sync Your Downloaded Kindle Books to BookFab

Open Kindle for PC and download Kindle books you want to convert to your computer first. Then go back to BookFab and click the Refresh button. BookFab will scan and analyze the Kindle books already downloaded on your device. After the scan is complete, your books will appear in the BookFab interface.

Step 3. Set EPUB as the Output Format

Click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner of BookFab and go to Settings > Book Downloads > Kindle Converter > Format Options. Select EPUB as the output format, then click OK to save your settings.

Step 4. Convert Kindle Books to EPUB

Return to the main Kindle Converter screen in BookFab, select the books you want to convert, and click Convert & Decrypt. Within seconds, the converted titles will appear in the Decrypted Books panel on the right. To open the output folder and locate your converted EPUB files, click the folder icon on the book cover.
If you want to turn the converted EPUB into an audiobook, click the "e" icon on the cover to send it directly to BookFab AudioBook Creator.

Note: The steps above are for Windows. On Mac, converting Kindle books to EPUB with BookFab Kindle Converter is even easier, and Kindle for PC is not required. BookFab Kindle Converter for Mac comes with a built-in browser. You only need to select the Kindle Converter module, log in to your Kindle account, choose the book you want to convert, click the blue download button in BookFab, select the output format, and download the book directly as an EPUB file.

Method 2: Convert Kindle to EPUB with Calibre

• Best for: Converting older Kindle books to EPUB on Windows, especially if you are comfortable using plugins and older Kindle for PC apps such as version 2.4.0.

If you want a free way to convert Kindle books to EPUB, Calibre is still one of the most common tools people turn to. For older Kindle books, especially standard MOBI and AZW files, Calibre can still be a useful Kindle to EPUB converter. The trade-off is that the setup is less beginner-friendly, since it often requires tools like the DeDRM plugin and the KFX-Input plugin, and newer Kindle books frequently need additional workarounds.

Step 1. Install Calibre and Needed Plugins

Download Calibre from its official website and install the version for your system. Then, download DeDRM_tools.zip and KFX_Input.zip to your computer. Then unzip DeDRM_tools.zip to get DeDRM_plugin.zip.

Open Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins > Load plugin from file, then install KFX_Input.zip and DeDRM_plugin.zip. After that, restart Calibre to activate them.

Step 2. Add Kindle Books to Calibre

Download your Kindle books to your computer using Kindle for PC or transfer them from a Kindle device via USB. Then open Calibre, click Add books, and import the Kindle books you want to convert.

Step 3. Convert Kindle to EPUB

Select the book in Calibre and click Convert books. Choose EPUB as the output format, then click OK to start the conversion. Once the process is complete, the EPUB version will appear in Calibre and can be opened or saved for use on any EPUB-compatible device or app.

The above steps explain how to use Calibre to convert books downloaded from Kindle for PC into EPUB format. If your books are exported from a Kindle e-ink device, you also need to configure your Kindle serial number in the DeDRM plugin first:

1. Install the DeDRM plugin in Calibre.
2. Go to "Preferences > Plugins".
3. Select "DeDRM" and click "Customize plugin".
4. Choose "eInk Kindle ebooks" and click the green "+" icon.
5. Enter your Kindle serial number and click "OK".
6. Click "Add books" to import the books from your e-ink Kindle. Calibre will remove the DRM, and then you can convert the books to EPUB.

Note: Calibre has better compatibility on Windows. On Mac, many users have reported that DeDRM cannot remove DRM from Kindle books. If you are using macOS, we recommend running Windows 11 in a virtual machine and following the steps above, or using BookFab Kindle Converter for Mac directly.

Troubleshooting Kindle to EPUB Conversion

1. "The Calibre plugins are installed, but the book is still locked."

Reason: This is a common Calibre issue. The book imports normally, but the conversion still fails with a DRM error. Simply installing the DeDRM plugin does not always solve the problem, especially for KFX files or newer Kindle books.

Fix: Check where the file came from, not just its extension. Older AZW and AZW3 books usually work better. For newer books, you can also try the BookFab Calibre Plugin, which adds BookFab Kindle Converter’s DRM removal capability to Calibre and supports both older and newer Kindle formats, including KFX.

2. "My converted EPUB opens, but the formatting looks off."

Reason: This can happen even when the conversion succeeds. Books with complex layouts, lots of images, comics, or heavy styling often do not convert perfectly from Kindle format to EPUB.

Fix: If the EPUB mostly works, you can use Calibre to clean up metadata, the table of contents, and some formatting details. If you want a simpler option with less manual cleanup, BookFab Kindle Converter usually gives you cleaner EPUB output.

FAQs

What should I do if my converted EPUB file won't open?

If you are having trouble opening an EPUB file, try the following steps:

1. Verify the file extension: Check that the file is actually saved with the .epub extension and not under a different format by mistake.
2. Try other readers: Try opening the file in another EPUB reader. Common options include Apple Books, Calibre, FBReader, and Adobe Digital Editions.
3. Validate EPUB file: Use an EPUB validator such as EPUBCheck to test the file and see whether there are structural errors that prevent it from opening.
4. Try another format: Convert the EPUB file to a different format (such as MOBI or PDF) with a tool like BookFab Kindle Converter, and check whether the converted file opens correctly.

Do I need to remove DRM from Kindle books before converting them to EPUB?

To convert many Kindle books to EPUB, the DRM usually has to be removed first. DRM on a Kindle title is designed to control copying, sharing, and format changes, which includes converting the file into other formats. Once the DRM is removed within the scope allowed by local law, the book can be processed by conversion tools and saved as an EPUB file.

Is it legal to convert Kindle books to EPUB?

The answer depends on your jurisdiction and on how the book is used:

• In countries that have laws similar to the DMCA in the United States, removing DRM copy protection itself can be illegal, even if the conversion is only for personal use.
• If the original Kindle file (such as MOBI or AZW) is clearly in the public domain, for example a title from Project Gutenberg, you can usually convert and use it freely.
• If the book is copyrighted but not protected by DRM, many regions allow format shifting for personal use, meaning you may convert it to EPUB as long as the copy stays for your own reading.

If you are unsure about local rules, check the copyright laws in your country or seek legal advice before removing DRM.

Final thoughts: Which Kindle to EPUB Converter Should You Choose?

The two Kindle to EPUB converters covered in this article each have their own strengths.

• Choose BookFab Kindle Converter if you want a quick and effective solution. It converts Kindle books to EPUB without extra plugins, works more reliably with newer Kindle books, supports Mac, and does not tie you to a specific Kindle for PC version. 
• Choose Calibre if you mainly work with older Kindle books and want more control over metadata. The downside is that it usually needs extra setup, and it is less stable with newer books. 

If you still prefer Calibre, you can try the BookFab Calibre Plugin instead of the DeDRM and KFX Input plugins. It gives Calibre more stable DRM removal while letting you keep your usual EPUB workflow.