Ebook Formats Explained: PDF vs EPUB vs MOBI
The right format depends on where you sell and how readers read. Here's the short version.
Fixed layout, looks identical everywhere, great for lead magnets, workbooks, and direct sales (Gumroad, your site). Not ideal for reflowable reading on small screens.
EPUB
Reflowable, the open standard for ebooks. Best for novels and text-heavy non-fiction sold on most stores. Adjusts to the reader's screen and font size.
MOBI / KPF
Amazon's legacy/current Kindle formats. KDP now prefers EPUB or its Kindle Create package; you rarely need MOBI anymore.
FAQ
What format does Amazon KDP want?
EPUB for ebooks (or a Kindle Create file), and a print-ready PDF for paperbacks.
Can I just sell a PDF?
Yes — PDFs are perfect for lead magnets and direct sales. For Kindle, use EPUB.
Related tools
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