---
title: ".epub file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .epub file is an Electronic Publication. The open ebook standard — reflowable text that adapts to any screen size. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/epub/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .epub files

**.epub file: Electronic Publication**

The open ebook standard — reflowable text that adapts to any screen size.

## What opens a .epub file

- **Windows:** Calibre, Thorium Reader, Adobe Digital Editions
- **macOS:** Books (built in), Calibre, Thorium Reader
- **Linux:** Calibre, Foliate, Thorium Reader
- **In a browser:** Google Play Books

## What a .epub file is

EPUB is a zipped package of HTML and CSS defined by the W3C, and it is what every ebook shop except Amazon sells. Text reflows to fit the screen and font size, unlike a PDF. Apple Books opens it on Mac, but Windows ships nothing that reads EPUB, so Calibre or Thorium Reader is the usual install; books bought with Adobe DRM need Adobe Digital Editions and the account they were bought with.

## Converting it

A .epub file is commonly converted to .pdf, .mobi, .azw3, .docx or .txt. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .epub
- **Full name:** Electronic Publication
- **Category:** E-books
- **MIME type:** application/epub+zip
- **Created by:** IDPF / W3C
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .epub file?

On Windows use Calibre; on macOS use Books (built in); on Linux use Calibre. The open ebook standard — reflowable text that adapts to any screen size.

### What is a .epub file?

Electronic Publication. EPUB is a zipped package of HTML and CSS defined by the W3C, and it is what every ebook shop except Amazon sells. Text reflows to fit the screen and font size, unlike a PDF.

### Can I convert a .epub file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .mobi, .azw3, .docx or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mobi — Mobipocket Ebook](https://atoneplace.net/file/mobi/)
- [.azw3 — Kindle Format 8](https://atoneplace.net/file/azw3/)
- [.cbz — Comic Book Archive (ZIP)](https://atoneplace.net/file/cbz/)
- [.cbr — Comic Book Archive (RAR)](https://atoneplace.net/file/cbr/)
- [.djvu — DjVu Scanned Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/djvu/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)