How to Format Your Word Manuscript for Kindle
AuthorBind makes book files. It doesn't print or ship books.
Building a book needs a computer. Open this page in Chrome or Edge on a laptop or desktop.
Reading your manuscript…
Downloading the book engine. This happens once.
Here's what we found
No problems found. Check the chapter list, then continue.
We couldn't find any chapters. In Word, apply the Heading 1 style to each chapter title and upload again.
Fix these in Word and upload again.
Set up your book
Add a book title to continue.
The inside margin is set for you from the page count.
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Your files are ready
Next: upload the PDF to KDP and check every page in Print Previewer. KDP makes the final decision.
AuthorBind is an independent tool, not affiliated with Amazon or Kindle Direct Publishing.
AuthorBind is an independent tool, not affiliated with Amazon or Kindle Direct Publishing.
Prepare the manuscript in Word
- Apply the Heading 1 style to every chapter title.
- Type *** on its own line for a scene break.
- Use Word's own footnotes, not numbers you typed.
- Insert images in the text, not in floating text boxes.
- Accept tracked changes and remove comments.
What you get
An EPUB 3 file. Not MOBI and not KPF.
What's next
Check the EPUB in Kindle Previewer, as KDP recommends, then upload it to your title in KDP. KDP makes the final decision.
What's free
The whole EPUB, with footnotes and images.
Questions
What format should books be for Kindle?
KDP accepts EPUB files that meet its Kindle Publishing Guidelines. We make EPUB 3.
What file format for KDP eBook?
Same answer: we make EPUB, and KDP's help pages list what it takes. Whether a file is accepted is up to KDP.
How do I properly format my book for Kindle?
Use Heading 1 for chapters and *** for scene breaks, with no manual page breaks and no text boxes. The check screen shows the rest.
Does Kindle like EPUB or mobi?
We make EPUB, not MOBI. KDP accepts EPUB files that meet its guidelines.