Send to Kindle: Complete Guide to Converting and Sending Ebooks
There are several ways to get your documents and ebooks onto your Kindle device. This guide covers all the methods: Send to Kindle app, email, USB transfer, and format considerations.
Kindle Supported Formats
Kindle devices support:
- Native formats: AZW, AZW3, MOBI (legacy), KFX
- Documents: PDF, TXT, HTML, DOC/DOCX
- EPUB: Now supported! (as of 2022)
Note: While Kindle now accepts EPUB via Send to Kindle, converting to PDF can still be useful for certain documents.
Method 1: Send to Kindle App
Amazon's official app for sending documents:
Desktop (Windows/Mac)
- Download Send to Kindle from Amazon
- Install and sign in with your Amazon account
- Drag and drop files onto the app
- Or right-click files and "Send to Kindle"
- Select your Kindle device
- Document arrives wirelessly
Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Share files directly to the Kindle app
- Documents sync across devices
- Works with PDF, EPUB, Word docs
Method 2: Email to Kindle
Every Kindle has a unique email address:
Finding Your Kindle Email
- Go to Amazon.com → "Manage Your Content and Devices"
- Click "Devices" tab
- Select your Kindle
- Find the email (format:
name@kindle.com)
Sending Documents
- Compose email from an approved sender address
- Attach your document (PDF, EPUB, Word, etc.)
- Send to your Kindle email address
- Document appears on your Kindle
Approved Senders
For security, Amazon only accepts emails from approved addresses:
- Go to "Preferences" in Manage Your Content and Devices
- Scroll to "Personal Document Settings"
- Add email addresses to "Approved Personal Document E-mail List"
Format Conversion
Amazon can convert documents to Kindle format:
- Put "Convert" in the subject line for automatic conversion
- Converted files support Kindle features (font changes, etc.)
- PDF sent as-is retains fixed layout
Method 3: USB Transfer
Direct file transfer via cable:
- Connect Kindle to computer via USB
- Kindle appears as a drive
- Navigate to "Documents" folder
- Copy files directly
- Eject Kindle safely
- Files appear in library
USB Transfer Notes
- Works offline — no Wi-Fi needed
- Doesn't sync to other devices
- Good for large files
- Reading progress won't sync to cloud
Format Conversion for Kindle
EPUB to Kindle
Options for EPUB files:
- Send directly: Kindle now supports EPUB via Send to Kindle
- Convert to PDF: Use CheersPDF for universal reading
- Convert to MOBI: Use Calibre for legacy support
MOBI Files
If you have MOBI files:
- Transfer via USB to Documents folder
- Or convert MOBI to PDF for easier management
PDF Files
- PDFs work on Kindle but have fixed layout
- Can't change font size in PDFs
- Best for documents with complex layouts, charts, images
Tips for Best Results
Document Types
- Novels/text: EPUB or Word format, let Kindle convert
- Technical docs: PDF preserves formatting
- Articles: Send to Kindle browser extension
File Size Limits
- Email: 50MB attachment limit
- Send to Kindle app: No practical limit
- USB: Limited by Kindle storage (varies by model)
Organization
- Create Collections on Kindle to organize
- Use descriptive filenames before sending
- Personal documents appear in "Documents" section
Send to Kindle Browser Extension
For web articles:
- Install Send to Kindle extension (Chrome, Firefox)
- Click extension while viewing article
- Article sent to Kindle, formatted for reading
- Great for long-form articles
Troubleshooting
Document Not Appearing
- Sync your Kindle (Settings → Sync)
- Check Wi-Fi connection
- Verify sender email is approved
- Check file format is supported
Formatting Issues
- Try different source format
- Use "Convert" in subject line for email
- For PDF issues, check original document quality
Privacy Note
When using Send to Kindle or email:
- Documents pass through Amazon servers
- Amazon stores documents in your Kindle library
- For complete privacy, use USB transfer
- Or convert locally with CheersPDF first
Convert Your Ebooks
Use CheersPDF to convert between formats before sending to Kindle.