What is MOBI?

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

What is LIT?

Microsoft Reader (LIT) is a legacy ebook format used by Microsoft Reader software for reading on Windows Mobile and PC.

When Should You Use MOBI vs LIT?

MOBI vs LIT: Key Differences

• •MOBI uses lossy compression while LIT uses lossy compression — both take the same approach to file size management.
• •Since both MOBI and LIT use lossy compression, the quality characteristics are comparable — differences in file size come down to how efficiently each format implements compression.
• •How transparency is handled: LIT does not support alpha channels — transparent areas in the source will become opaque.
• •Storage footprint: 400KB to 3MB for MOBI vs 300KB to 2MB per book for LIT.
• •MOBI is optimized for older kindle devices, legacy ebooks while LIT is designed for legacy microsoft reader ebooks — choose based on your specific workflow needs

Advantages of MOBI

• ✓MOBI compresses data using lossy methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Older Kindle devices, legacy ebooks.
• ✓Industry-wide support means MOBI files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
• ✓Small file sizes make MOBI ideal for email, web uploads, and cloud storage.
• ✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, MOBI works out of the box.

Advantages of LIT

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

Common Use Cases for MOBI to LIT Conversion

• Photo books and portfolios
• Sheet music collections
• Newsletter archives
• Digital publishing
• Educational materials
• Self-published books

Industry Applications

Best Practices for MOBI to LIT Conversion

• →Converting MOBI to LIT: test the output on multiple reading devices before distribution
• →LIT 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 LIT Conversion

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

Related Ebook Converters

All Ebook Formats

More Ebook tools