What is MOBI?

MOBI is the legacy ebook format used by Amazon for older Kindle devices, based on the Mobipocket format.

What is EPUB?

EPUB is the open standard ebook format maintained by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), supporting reflowable content and DRM.

When Should You Use MOBI vs EPUB?

Use MOBI When...

Reach for MOBI when your priority is older kindle devices, legacy ebooks — its efficient compression makes sharing fast and storage minimal.

Use EPUB When...

Reach for EPUB when your priority is ebooks, digital publications, readers — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

MOBI vs EPUB: Key Differences

•MOBI uses lossy compression while EPUB uses lossless compression — this is the fundamental technical difference between the two formats.
•The switch from lossy compression to lossless compression means you preserve full quality at the expense of larger file sizes.
•Transparency: N/A
•Storage footprint: 400KB to 3MB for MOBI vs 500KB to 5MB for typical ebooks for EPUB.
•Use case fit: MOBI targets older kindle devices, legacy ebooks and EPUB targets ebooks, digital publications, readers — your choice depends on which workflow stage you are serving.

Advantages of MOBI

✓MOBI applies lossy compression specifically calibrated for Older Kindle devices, legacy ebooks.
✓MOBI enjoys broad native support across operating systems, browsers, and creative tools alike.
✓MOBI delivers impressive compression ratios, shrinking files dramatically while keeping visual quality high.
✓You will find MOBI support built into virtually every tool that handles Older Kindle devices, legacy ebooks — no plugins or converters needed.

Advantages of EPUB

✓EPUB applies lossless compression specifically calibrated for Ebooks, digital publications, readers.
✓EPUB enjoys broad native support across operating systems, browsers, and creative tools alike.
✓EPUB guarantees every bit of the original data survives — no approximations, no shortcuts.
✓You will find EPUB support built into virtually every tool that handles Ebooks, digital publications, readers — no plugins or converters needed.

Common Use Cases for MOBI to EPUB Conversion

Academic journals
Technical manuals
Accessible reading
Mobile reading
Travel guides and maps
Cookbook layouts

Industry Applications

JournalismContent MarketingAccessibilityAcademic ResearchPublishing HousesTechnical Documentation

Best Practices for MOBI to EPUB Conversion

→Converting MOBI to EPUB: test the output on multiple reading devices before distribution
→EPUB offers good compatibility with various e-readers
→Include proper metadata (title, author, ISBN) for better discoverability
→Always keep a backup of your original files before converting
→Choose the appropriate quality settings for your specific use case

Troubleshooting MOBI to EPUB Conversion

!Formatting lost when converting MOBI to EPUB → complex book layouts with CSS may not transfer perfectly
!Images not displaying in the EPUB ebook → check that image formats used in MOBI are supported by EPUB
!Table of Contents broken after MOBI to EPUB conversion → some ebook formats handle navigation differently
!EPUB file has DRM issues → DRM-protected MOBI files must be unlocked (where legally permitted) before conversion

Related Ebook Converters

Convert Other Formats to EPUB

All Ebook Formats

MOBI AZW3 FB2 LIT PDB

View all Ebook converters →

More Ebook tools

Convert to EPUB →Convert from MOBI →

Convert MOBI to EPUB Online - Free & Fast

Convert MOBI files to EPUB online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

Ebook Converter

Upload or enter a URL to convert MOBI to EPUB instantly

Click to upload or drag & drop MOBI file

or paste from clipboard

.mobi,.MOBI (max 100MB)

SSL EncryptedAuto-deleted in 1 hourProcessed securelyNo registration needed

Verifying security check…

About MOBI and EPUB

MOBI

MOBI is Amazon's legacy Kindle format. It works on Kindles but is closed and awkward to use in modern, non-Amazon reading apps.

EPUB

EPUB is the open standard supported by Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, and most apps. Converting MOBI to EPUB frees a book to read anywhere.

Common Use Cases

Read a Kindle book in Apple Books or Kobo.
Use a modern reader app with better typography.
Edit or re-export a book in open tooling.
Escape vendor lock-in for your library.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossy → Lossless

TransparencySupported

Use CaseConvert from older kindle devices, legacy ebooks to ebooks, digital publications, readers

File Size~500KB to 5MB for typical ebooks after conversion

FAQs

Is converting MOBI to EPUB free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of MOBI to EPUB for files up to 100MB.

Why convert MOBI to EPUB?

EPUB is the industry-standard ebook format supported by all major e-readers except Kindle (before 2022). It offers better formatting, reflow, and accessibility features than MOBI.

How long does it take to convert MOBI to EPUB?

Most MOBI to EPUB conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is EPUB best used for?

EPUB is ideal for ebooks, digital publications, readers. EPUB, open standard ebook format

Does converting MOBI to EPUB lose quality?

No, converting MOBI to EPUB does not cause additional quality loss â€” EPUB uses lossless compression. However, any artifacts already present in the original MOBI file will persist in the EPUB output.

What file size should I expect after converting MOBI to EPUB?

EPUB files are typically 2-5x larger than equivalent MOBI files because EPUB preserves all pixel data. This is expected and necessary for lossless quality.

Related Tools

View all ebook converter converters