Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
Skip to content
World desk4 min

How to Track Reading Progress Across Physical Books and Kindle

A shared reading log is the most reliable way to track print and Kindle together: record print pages manually and use Kindle pages, locations, or percentages consistently.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use one shared reading log for print and Kindle, and record a format-specific progress marker for each book. Enter print page numbers yourself; for Kindle, use a page number when the book provides one, or consistently use its location or percentage. Keep the edition with the entry so different page counts do not create a false mismatch.

Choose one tracker for both formats

A spreadsheet, notes app, or book-tracking service can all work. The important part is using one place as your complete record: Kindle and Goodreads features can automate some eligible Kindle activity, but they should not be treated as a complete log of print reading.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Make one entry per book and include:

  • Title and author
  • Format: print or Kindle
  • Edition or ISBN, if known
  • Current page or other progress marker
  • Date last updated
  • Status, such as reading, paused, or finished
  • Finish date, if you are tracking an annual reading goal

If you read the same title in both formats, make separate entries or clearly distinguish the format in the same entry. A page in one edition is not necessarily the same point as a page in another.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Record progress with the right marker for each format

Physical books: enter the page number

After a session, note the page you reached in your shared log. You can update it every time you stop reading or whenever convenient; the key is to keep the date and page together so you can tell which entry is current.

#1 Best Overall
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) - Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio - Matcha
  • 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.

Kindle: use page, location, or percentage consistently

Kindle books may show a page number, a location, time left in the chapter or book, or no progress indicator, depending on the book and display settings. Not every Kindle book includes page numbers. When available, a Kindle page number can be convenient, but do not assume it matches the page number in every print edition.

If page numbers are unavailable, record the Kindle location or percentage and keep using that marker for the book. Amazon’s Kindle guide explains that locations identify a position independent of screen size, so they can locate the same point in that Kindle book across devices. A location is useful within the Kindle edition, but it is not interchangeable with a printed page number.

Rank #2
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) – Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio – Black
  • 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 Kindle devices, the guide describes choosing the progress display from the reading display settings, with options such as location, page, time left in chapter, time left in book, or none. The wording and path can differ by device and software version, so check the current display settings on your Kindle if those labels do not appear. Amazon Kindle User Guide.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Optionally link Goodreads and Amazon for Kindle activity

If you use Goodreads, linking it to Amazon can help eligible Kindle reading appear in Goodreads shelves and Kindle Reading Challenges. Linking is an optional convenience, not a replacement for the shared log: keep entering your physical-book progress yourself.

Rank #3
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black
  • 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.
  1. Go to Goodreads.com and open Account Settings.
  2. Choose Apps.
  3. Select Connect Amazon account, then sign in with your Amazon credentials.

Amazon says Kindle for iOS users can also link accounts from the app’s More menu. Current settings and sharing options can change, so review the available controls in the app and account settings. Amazon’s account-linking instructions.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Know what Kindle Reading Challenges do—and do not—track

Amazon says books bought or borrowed from Amazon can count toward Kindle Reading Challenge books read, streaks, and achievements when read on a Kindle device, app, or Kindle for Web. Eligible books on a Goodreads Read Shelf may also contribute achievements after accounts are linked. Amazon cautions that eligibility can vary by account; Kindle app tracking also requires reading on a device or app with mobile data enabled. Check the current challenge details for your account before relying on a specific book or session to count. Learn about Kindle Reading Challenges.

Rank #4
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Raspberry
  • 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.

A print-book page update in your shared log is separate from Kindle challenge activity. Amazon’s help describes eligibility around Kindle books and devices, and an Amazon-hosted forum discussion about physical books and streaks points to the same practical limitation; the forum is secondary evidence, not a universal product guarantee. Do not count on a print update in Goodreads to add to a Kindle streak or challenge.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) - Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio - Matcha
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) - Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio - Matcha
Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.; Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
$149.99
Bestseller No. 2
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) – Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio – Black
Amazon Kindle 16 GB (2024 model) – Light and compact, with fast page turns, and high contrast ratio – Black
Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.; Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
$149.99
Bestseller No. 3
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7' glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black
Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
$199.99
Bestseller No. 4
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7' glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Raspberry
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB (2024 model) – 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Raspberry
Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
$199.99
Best Value
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB (2024 model) – Auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and weeks of battery life – Metallic Jade
  • 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.

How the tracking options compare

Method Automation Progress marker Best use
Shared manual log Print and Kindle updates are entered by you. Print page; Kindle page, location, or percentage. A complete cross-format record that includes physical books.
Goodreads linked with Amazon Can track eligible Kindle activity; print progress still needs your own update. Eligibility and account behavior can vary. Goodreads shelves and challenge activity for eligible reading. Convenience for Goodreads users who want supported Kindle activity reflected there.
Kindle Reading Challenges Tracks eligible Kindle reading under Amazon’s stated conditions; it is not a full print-and-Kindle ledger. Books read, streaks, and achievements for eligible activity. Following challenge activity for a qualifying Amazon Kindle book.

A simple routine that avoids mismatched progress

  1. When you start a book, create its entry and note format plus edition or ISBN if available.
  2. At the end of a print session, enter the page number and date.
  3. At the end of a Kindle session, enter the displayed page number if available; otherwise enter the location or percentage you have chosen for that book.
  4. When you finish, mark the status and finish date. Use the same shared log for annual totals rather than assuming Kindle challenge or Goodreads data includes every format.

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.