How to Convert Kindle Books to PDF: 3 Easy Ways
Summary: Kindle books are typically DRM-protected. To convert Kindle to PDF, you must remove the encryption using specialized software first and then convert the format. This tutorial summarizes three ways to convert Kindle to PDF files: using free tool Calibre with the DeDRM plugin, professional tool BookFab Kindle Converter, or online converters like Zamzar.
Table of Contents
For many Kindle users, being able to convert Kindle to PDF is really a game changer. Kindle eBooks are usually delivered in Amazon-only formats such as AZW and KFX which are tied to Kindle apps and devices. Once converted to PDF, you gain the freedom to read on any device, annotate in notetaking apps, print a chapter, and keep a long-term backup.
So, is it possible to convert a Kindle book to PDF? The answer is yes. This guide introduces 3 easiest ways to convert Kindle to PDF, giving you total control over how you manage and read your Kindle library.
Convert Kindle to PDF with Calibre [Free]
We know Calibre is an open-source eBook manager, but it 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. Before conversion, 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. Here is how to convert Kindle books to PDF via Calibre:
Step 1: Install the Kindle to PDF Converter
Download Calibre from the official website and install the version that matches your system.
Step 2: Install the DeDRM Plugin
Since most Kindle books are protected by DRM, you'll need the DeDRM plugin to unlock them before converting to PDF.
1. Download the DeDRM tool kit. Once you unzip the folder, look for a file specifically named DeDRM_plugin.zip.
2. Open Calibre and click Preferences → Plugins → Load plugin from file. Choose the DeDRM_plugin.zip file and click Open.
3. Follow the prompts to restart Calibre. You can check if it's working by looking under the File type plugins list.
Step 3: Add Your Kindle Books to Calibre
Use Kindle for PC (pre-2.4.1 versions recommended) or a USB cable to download and sync your Kindle library to your computer.
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: Convert Kindle Books to PDF
Select Kindle books you want to convert, and click the Convert books button on the toolbar.
From the drop-down menu in the conversion window, choose PDF as the output format. If needed, adjust options such as page size, margins, or fonts in the left-hand tabs. Then, click OK to convert Kindle to PDF.
When the status changes to "Jobs: 0", Calibre has finished processing all active conversions. 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 BookFab Kindle Converter [Editor's Pick]
BookFab Kindle Converter is designed for users who value efficiency and reliability. This Kindle to PDF converter can automatically scan and recognize Kindle books that have been downloaded locally via Kindle for PC, then strip the DRM from these books, and convert Kindle to PDF or EPUB. Its primary highlight is its stable performance on all Kindle formats, including KFX, MOBI, and AZW3 to PDF, overcoming the limitations of Calibre when handling the latest Kindle file types.
Step 1: Download Kindle Books via Kindle for PC
Launch Kindle for PC and log in. In your Library, right-click the book you want to decrypt and choose Download. Ensure the download finishes completely. By default, Amazon saves these files to your "My Kindle Content" folder within your Documents directory.
Step 2: Launch BookFab Kindle Converter
Download and install the BookFab program on your computer. Once installed, launch the application and select Kindle Converter from the left-hand sidebar.
Step 3: Select the Kindle Books You Want to Convert
Click the Refresh button in BookFab. The program will automatically scan your computer for Kindle books downloaded via Kindle for PC and display them in the interface. 
From the list, check the boxes for the books you wish to convert and set the output format to PDF.
Step 4: Convert Kindle to PDF
Click the Convert & Decrypt button to begin the process. BookFab will simultaneously remove the DRM and transform your books into PDF files.
Once finished, you can find your DRM-free PDFs in the output folder, ready to be read on any device or app.
Convert Kindle to PDF with ZAMZAR [Online Converter]
If you prefer not to download any software and are looking for the most convenient way to convert Kindle to PDF, Zamzar is a good choice. This online Kindle to PDF converter offers a simple drag-and-drop interface and support for popular formats, and lets you convert DRM-free Kindle eBooks to PDF for personal backup.
Step 1: Upload Kindle Books 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: Convert Kindle to PDF Online
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 Converted PDF Files
Once the conversion is complete, this Kindle to PDF converter 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.
Can You Download Kindle Books as PDF Directly?
You might be wondering: "Do kindles allow PDF downloads so I can skip the Kindle to PDF conversion entirely?" The answer is yes, but only for DRM-free titles where the author has explicitly enabled download permissions.
Since January 20, 2026, Amazon has begun allowing users to download certain DRM-free books directly from their website in EPUB or PDF formats. To check this, log in to your Amazon account on the web and navigate to "Manage Your Content and Devices." If the author or publisher has enabled downloads in the Publisher Center and the book is DRM-free, you will see an option to download it directly as a PDF. However, with 97% of Kindle eBooks being DRM-protected, this method is quite limited and doesn't work for Kindle Unlimited titles.
Another workaround is using the Kindle Cloud Reader in your web browser and using a browser extension to "screenshot" every page to compile a PDF. However, this method is highly impractical and results in poor image quality and broken layouts.
So, if you want high-quality PDF versions of your Kindle library, including those protected books, the most effective way is to convert Kindle to PDF with specialized software. Using Calibre or BookFab Kindle Converter will yield the best results.
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.
How to convert a PDF for a Kindle?
You can use the Send to Kindle service by emailing your file to your Kindle address with the word "convert" in the subject line. This simple trick lets Amazon reformat the PDF so you can actually adjust the font size and line spacing. Another choice is to use Calibre to convert the PDF into AZW3 or KFX format manually, which gives you total control over the margins and layout before you sync it to your device.
Conclusion
Converting Kindle books to PDF is a practical way to ensure your library stays accessible on any device. If you're comfortable with manual setups, Calibre is a solid free option. For those who want a faster, more reliable way to handle the latest KFX files, BookFab Kindle Converter is the most efficient choice. Regardless of the tool, moving to PDF gives you more control over your digital content and permanent backups.
Disclaimer: The Kindle to PDF methods mentioned in this article are intended for personal backup purposes only. BookFab does not condone or support DRM circumvention for any commercial or distribution purpose. Please ensure that your actions comply with all applicable copyright laws and regulations.
