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For most supported documents—including EPUB files—the easiest route is Amazon’s wireless Send to Kindle service. You can also copy files over USB: use File Explorer on Windows, or Amazon’s Send to Kindle app for USB file management on supported Macs and Kindle models. Choose wireless delivery if you want the file sent to your Kindle library; use USB for a direct copy or when you need to transfer without relying on wireless delivery.
Check the file before you send it
Amazon lists EPUB, PDF, DOC and DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTML and HTM, and common image formats among the personal-document formats supported by Send to Kindle. Its current guidance allows files up to 200 MB each. The format and size limit apply to the wireless service; check Amazon’s transfer guidance for current eligibility and details: Amazon’s Send to Kindle transfer guidance.
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An EPUB sent this way is a personal document for reading on your Kindle, not a manuscript submitted for publication. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s separate service for publishing books for sale; KDP recommends Kindle Previewer to validate an EPUB intended for publication. See KDP’s EPUB guidance.
Send a document wirelessly with Send to Kindle
Amazon recommends Send to Kindle for wireless delivery. Use one of its Send to Kindle options to submit the supported file, then allow time for it to appear on the Kindle associated with your account. The available service interface can change, so consult Amazon’s current transfer instructions for the available submission options and device details.
#1 Best Overall
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you – 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
Wireless delivery is a good choice when you want a document delivered to your Kindle library rather than copying it directly to the device. Confirm that the file is in a supported format and no larger than 200 MB before sending. Amazon also offers email delivery as a Send to Kindle option; its current help page explains the available route.
Copy a document to your Kindle with USB
USB transfer copies a file directly to the device rather than using the wireless Send to Kindle delivery workflow. Amazon recommends using the cable supplied with the Kindle.
Rank #2
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you - 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
On Windows
- Connect the Kindle to your computer with its USB cable.
- Open File Explorer and select the Kindle when it appears as external storage.
- Copy the document into the Kindle’s Documents folder, then safely eject the device before disconnecting it.
Amazon states that the full file path must be no longer than 256 characters. If a file will not copy, try moving it to a folder with a shorter name or renaming folders in the path.
On a Mac
Mac USB file management depends on the Kindle model. Amazon documents USB File Manager in its Send to Kindle Mac app; Kindle Scribe and devices released in 2024 require that app for USB file management. Amazon’s documented USB Manager support is for Intel and M1–M3 Macs running macOS 12 or later. Check Amazon’s Mac and USB transfer instructions for the requirements that apply to your Kindle.
Rank #3
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Amazon warns that it cannot verify or guarantee the security, functionality, or reliability of third-party Mac file-transfer software. Prefer Amazon’s supported service or documented app workflow.
What to expect from notes and handwriting
Amazon’s personal-document compatibility table says Kindle e-readers other than Scribe support highlights and text notes for the listed document formats. Scribe has additional handwriting and active-canvas features for supported files. Those handwriting features are not supported for EPUB comics, manga, and children’s books. Kindle for Web does not support personal documents, according to Amazon’s personal-document compatibility information.
Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Fix common conversion and transfer problems
The file will not convert or display correctly
- Remove password protection or other security settings from the document before sending it.
- Remove ink drawings from Word documents.
- Simplify large or complex tables, which can cause conversion problems.
Amazon lists supported languages and additional troubleshooting advice on its document conversion help page.
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The document appears, but a feature is missing
If an older imported document does not have newer personal-document features, Amazon suggests removing it and downloading it again, or importing it again through Send to Kindle. See Amazon’s conversion troubleshooting guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
The file will not copy over USB
- On Windows, confirm you copied the file into the Kindle’s Documents folder and that its full path does not exceed Amazon’s 256-character limit.
- On a Mac, check whether your Kindle model requires the Send to Kindle app’s USB File Manager and whether your macOS version and Mac processor are supported.
- If the supplied cable is missing or unusable, check compatibility with your exact Kindle model before choosing a replacement. Amazon’s guidance recommends the supplied cable and does not specify a universal connector type.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
