--- source_url: "https://gutenberg.org/help/reading_options.html?utm_source=openai" title: "Reading Options | Project Gutenberg" mirrored_at: 2026-08-14T01:02:07.354Z host: gutenberg.org cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/gutenberg.org/help/reading_options.html__q__utm_source_openai" --- > **Original source:** https://gutenberg.org/help/reading_options.html?utm_source=openai ## Reading Options & Kindle Project Gutenberg offers 75,000+ free ebooks. Here’s how you can read and enjoy them. 1. [Read Online](#read-online) 2. [Kindle](#kindle) 1. [Newer Kindles](#newer-kindles) 2. [Older Kindles (pre-2013)](#older-kindles-pre-2013) 3. [Kobo, Nook etc.](#kobo-nook-etc) 4. [Phone or Tablet](#phone-or-tablet) 1. [iPhone / iPad](#iphone--ipad) 2. [Android](#android) 5. [Computer](#computer) 6. [Plain Text](#plain-text) 7. [Need more help?](#need-more-help) ## Read Online This is the simplest way to read — no downloads, no apps, no format decisions. Every Project Gutenberg ebook has a “Read now!” button that opens the book right in your browser. 1. Go to [gutenberg.org](https://www.gutenberg.org/) 2. Find a book you like 3. Click “Read now!” Works on any device with a web browser. Most browsers also offer a Reader Mode (Safari Reader, Firefox Reader View, etc.) for adjustable font size and a cleaner layout. ## Kindle ## Newer Kindles **Amazon’s Send-to-Kindle service is the easiest way.** 1. Download the **EPUB3** file 2. Go to your Amazon account’s Send-to-Kindle page. - US → [amazon.com/sendtokindle](https://www.amazon.com/sendtokindle) - UK → [amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle](https://www.amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle) - Germany → [amazon.de/sendtokindle](https://www.amazon.de/sendtokindle) - Elsewhere → amazon.\[your country\]/sendtokindle 3. Upload and wait **Alternatives:** Email to Kindle Every Kindle has its own email address. You can email files directly to it. 1. On Amazon: open Menu → Manage Your Content and Devices → Devices tab → select your Kindle and find its email address 2. On the same page: go to the Preferences tab → scroll down to "Approved Personal Document E-mail List" → add your own email address, so the Kindle can receive emails from you 3. Email the **EPUB3** file as an attachment to your Kindle's address USB Transfer Works with the **Kindle/MOBI** format. See the "Older Kindles" section below for the steps. ## Older Kindles (pre-2013) Pre-2013 Kindles should use USB transfer with the **Kindle/MOBI** format (not EPUB): 1. On the book’s page, use the **“Kindle”** or **“older Kindles”** download option 2. Connect your Kindle to your computer via USB 3. Copy the file to the “documents” folder on your Kindle ## Kobo, Nook etc. ## Kobo Kobo makes it easy: plug it into your computer, and it shows up as a USB drive you can drag books onto. 1. Download the **EPUB3** file 2. Connect your Kobo to your computer via USB 3. Tap “Connect” on your Kobo’s screen 4. Drag the file into the Kobo drive that appears Forma, Sage, Elipsa, Elipsa 2E, and Libra Colour also support Dropbox (no cable needed). 1. On your Kobo, go to Settings > Dropbox and link your account 2. Save the **EPUB3** file to your Dropbox 3. On your Kobo, tap the Dropbox icon to sync — the book will appear in your library ## Nook Nook works much the same way as Kobo — plug it in and it appears as a drive on your computer. 1. Download the **EPUB3** file on your computer 2. Connect your Nook via USB 3. Tap “Connect” on your Nook’s screen 4. Copy the file to the “My Files” folder on the Nook drive **Older Nooks** (Simple Touch, original GlowLight): use the **EPUB** file instead. ## Other E-readers Using a PocketBook, Boox, or another e-reader? Just download the **EPUB3** file — most modern e-readers support it. ## Phone or Tablet ## iPhone / iPad Easiest: [read online](#read-online) in your browser. Use a Reading App: 1. Apple’s “Books” App is pre-installed. Other EPUB reading apps are available in the App Store. 2. Download the **EPUB3** file. It will be saved in the “Files” App. 3. Open the file from the Files app. 4. Pick a reading app — directly from the prompt, or via the Share button. EPUB reading apps for iPad/iPhone include Books (mac, iPhone, iPad), Kindle, Neat Reader and PocketBook Reader. ## Android Easiest: [read online](#read-online) in your browser. Use a Reading App: 1. Install an EPUB reading app. 2. Download the **EPUB3** file. 3. Open the file — if there’s a download notification, tap it. Or find and tap it in your Files/Downloads app. 4. Pick your reader app if Android asks. Free reading apps include Kindle, ReadEra, and Moon+ Reader. Google Play Books is often preinstalled but works differently. Unlike most reading apps, Play Books won't open a local EPUB directly. Instead, upload the file to your Google Play Books library at [play.google.com/books](https://play.google.com/books) (or via the Upload option inside the Android app), then read it from your library. ## Computer Easiest: [read online](#read-online) in your browser. To read offline, download the **EPUB3** file and open it in a desktop reading app: - **Calibre** (Windows/Mac/Linux) — The Swiss army knife of ebook software. Manages your library, converts between formats, and syncs to devices. - **Thorium Reader** (Windows/Mac/Linux) — A clean, open-source EPUB3 reader. - **Apple Books** (Mac) — Built into macOS. Clean and simple. - **Sumatra PDF** (Windows) — Lightweight and fast. Handles EPUB despite the name. These are just a few options — there are many other EPUB reading apps available, for example [Koodo Reader](https://github.com/koodo-reader/koodo-reader), [FBReader](https://fbreader.org/). We do not recommend [Adobe Digital Editions](https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions.html). ## Plain Text Every one of our ebooks is also available as a **plain text (.txt) file** which means you can display it on any device that can open and display such a text file. You won’t get formatting or images, but it’s the simplest and most robust option of all. ## Need more help? Everyone’s setup is a little different. If you’re unsure how to start reading or are running into trouble, a chat with an AI assistant can help if you describe your situation to it, e.g. [Claude](https://claude.ai/), [ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com/), or [Gemini](https://gemini.google.com/).