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Does KDP Accept EPUB? EPUB Upload Guide for Authors

Does KDP Accept EPUB: What Every Self-Publishing Author Needs to Know

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

  • Yes — KDP accepts EPUB files when they meet Kindle Publishing Guidelines; validation and clean formatting matter more than the file extension.
  • Convert and check EPUBs for metadata, chapter structure, and images; tools such as an EPUB converter remove most formatting friction.
  • DRM and download options are changing; authors control DRM per book and should confirm settings before publishing.

Table of Contents

How KDP processes EPUB files

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) accepts EPUB files for eBook uploads, but it isn’t simply “upload and go.” If the EPUB follows Kindle’s publishing rules, KDP will accept it and run its internal checks.

KDP accepts both EPUB 2.0 and EPUB 3.0 formats for reflowable titles and many fixed-layout books. It uses internal conversion tools to turn an EPUB into the Kindle package readers use.

After upload KDP performs validation, conversion, and preview steps. For a one-click path that targets Kindle expectations, consider the Epub Converter For Kindle to reduce friction during upload.

Preparing your EPUB for KDP

Start with the content; formatting comes second. Authors who focus on clean structure and simple styling get the most reliable results.

Use semantic structure

Use headings consistently. H1 should be the title page; use H2/H3 for chapters and sections. Don’t rely on font size alone to indicate hierarchy.

Clearly mark chapter breaks so navigation works in the Kindle preview and on devices.

Embed correct metadata

KDP looks for title, author, language, and identifiers inside the EPUB. Missing or incorrect metadata can cause upload rejection or blank store fields.

Image handling and layout

Resize images to the display size; oversized images inflate file size and may be downsampled unpredictably.

For fixed-layout books (children’s picture books, comics, manga), use EPUB 3 features where supported. KDP accepts fixed-layout content but applies stricter validation.

Fonts and styling

Embed only fonts you are licensed to use. Excessive custom CSS can confuse the Kindle conversion engine; prefer simple, reader-friendly styles.

Test with a previewer

Before upload, open the EPUB in multiple preview tools including Kindle Previewer and a standard EPUB reader. A preview helps catch orphaned images, missing TOC entries, or spacing issues.

Use tools that understand KDP

Third-party tools can create compliant EPUBs. For authors who want a streamlined process, BookAutoAI’s EPUB converter embeds correct metadata, cleans chapter structure, and produces EPUBs compatible with KDP checks.

If you need a market-ready cover, the BookAutoAI Cover Generator creates readable, genre-appropriate covers that work at thumbnail size and export for both ebook and print formats.

If you’re preparing both an ebook and a print edition, BookAutoAI supports the full book creation process and export for multiple formats.

Common upload errors and how to fix them

Below are the most frequent EPUB problems authors encounter on KDP and straightforward fixes.

Error: Missing or incorrect metadata

Symptoms: KDP rejects the file or fields are blank on your KDP dashboard.

Fix: Open the EPUB’s package document (OPF) and fill in title, author, language, and identifiers. Many converters let you supply metadata during export — use those fields.

Error: Broken table of contents or navigation

Symptoms: Kindle previewer shows no chapter links; navigation pane is empty.

Fix: Ensure the EPUB has a proper NCX (EPUB 2) or a nav document (EPUB 3) and that each chapter uses consistent heading tags. Rebuild the TOC if needed.

Error: Images are misplaced, too large, or do not appear

Symptoms: Images overlap text or appear at wrong size.

Fix: Use consistent image sizes and formats (JPEG/PNG). Avoid CSS that floats or absolutely positions images; use inline images sized to the content width.

Error: Strange fonts or missing text

Symptoms: Fonts look wrong or certain text is invisible.

Fix: Remove or replace unsupported fonts, or embed licensed fonts properly. If text disappears, check for malformed HTML tags or character encoding issues.

Error: Upload rejected for incompatible file type

Symptoms: KDP says the file isn’t supported.

Fix: Make sure the file extension is .epub and that the file is a valid EPUB container. Some tools produce ZIP packages that need to be exported as EPUB explicitly.

Best practices to avoid errors

  • Keep styling simple and consistent.
  • Validate your EPUB with tools like EPUBCheck before upload.
  • Use a conversion pipeline that targets Kindle’s expectations to reduce surprises; many authors benefit from dedicated book upload tools.

EPUB, DRM, and what authors should know

Amazon’s policies around DRM and downloadable formats have evolved. For authors asking about KDP EPUB support in recent years, two points matter: accepted upload formats and what readers can download after purchase.

Accepted formats and legacy changes

KDP shifted away from older formats. MOBI is no longer accepted since March 2025, making EPUB the standard choice for manuscript uploads.

KDP supports both EPUB 2.0 and EPUB 3.0 for most publishing needs; fixed-layout uses EPUB 3 features when required.

DRM choices and reader downloads

Recent changes let authors publish DRM-free titles that verified purchasers can download as EPUB or PDF in certain cases. Authors control DRM settings per book in the KDP dashboard.

Opting out of DRM enables broader cross-device downloads, but those settings may take 24–72 hours to propagate.

Why this matters for self-publishers

  • If you want readers to have flexible download options, confirm DRM settings and be mindful of distribution impact.
  • Opting out of DRM can increase reader satisfaction but also makes files easier to share without protection.
  • The upload workflow for EPUB files remains unchanged; the DRM setting is separate from the upload process but should be set before promotion.

Using BookAutoAI with KDP processes

For authors focused on speed and reliability, BookAutoAI streamlines the path from manuscript to a Kindle-ready EPUB. The platform can humanize AI-generated text, format non-fiction manuscripts, and convert to Kindle-friendly EPUB files using an integrated EPUB converter.

If you need both ebook and print outputs, BookAutoAI supports the full book creation options and exports for multiple formats, and the BookAutoAI Cover Generator helps produce covers designed to work at thumbnail size.

How this reduces risk

  • Less manual cleanup: Built-in formatting reduces the chance of upload errors.
  • KDP-aware output: Files structured with Kindle expectations in mind convert more predictably.
  • Professional covers: Covers follow genre patterns that perform at thumbnail size.

Final thoughts

KDP accepts EPUB files when they follow Kindle guidelines. Clean structure, correct metadata, and tested images are the main determinants of a smooth upload and accurate conversion.

FAQ

Can you upload EPUB to KDP directly?

Yes. KDP accepts EPUB uploads that meet its validation rules. Upload your .epub file in the KDP eBook creation flow and review the previewer before publishing.

What EPUB versions does KDP support?

KDP supports EPUB 2.0 and EPUB 3.0 for most needs. Use EPUB 3 for advanced fixed-layout features.

Is MOBI still accepted by KDP?

No. MOBI support ended in 2025; use EPUB for manuscript uploads.

Do I need special tools to make an EPUB that KDP accepts?

No—knowledgeable authors can create compliant EPUBs by following Kindle guidelines and validating with tools like EPUBCheck. For many authors, a converter that targets KDP expectations will reduce errors.

Will KDP give me EPUB files back to sell?

KDP’s recent policy changes allow DRM-free downloads of EPUB or PDF by verified purchasers in certain cases. Authors control DRM per title and should confirm settings before publishing.

What is the quickest way to prepare a non-fiction book for KDP?

Use a system that handles writing, formatting, cover design, and EPUB conversion together. Integrated tools that combine these steps can produce a KDP-ready EPUB more quickly.

Sources

Does KDP Accept EPUB: What Every Self-Publishing Author Needs to Know Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Yes — KDP accepts EPUB files when they meet Kindle Publishing Guidelines; validation and clean formatting matter more than the file extension. Convert and check EPUBs for metadata, chapter structure, and images; tools such as an EPUB converter remove…