How to Convert PDF to Kindle

While Amazon’s Kindle ereaders and apps are widely known for their ability to download and display digital content purchased from the online Amazon store such as novels and comic books, many people still enjoy reading content via PDF files that they’ve created themselves or downloaded from another source. If you have PDF files you'd like to read on your Kindle, you can convert PDF to Kindle and read them using the app or the Kindle reader.

Can You Read PDF on Kindle?

Fortunately, the answer is yes. All of Amazon’s Kindle apps and ereaders feature support for PDF files. PDF files can be read in their native PDF file format or converted to the native Kindle file format, though this isn’t needed in most cases.

Transferring a PDF file to a Kindle ereader or app is done via email and is completely free. There are several steps to initiate the transfer though. You'll need to locate your Kindle email address, approve your personal email address, send the PDF file to your Kindle by email, and then finally open the PDF file on your Kindle app or reader. Keep reading to learn the details of completing each step.

How to Find Your Kindle Email Address

To read PDF on Kindle and initiate the file transfer process, you’ll need to know the unique email address associated with your Kindle ereader, tablet, or app.

This email address is officially referred to as your send-to-Kindle email address.

Your send-to-Kindle email address is not the email address you use to log into the Amazon website or apps. Nor is it the email you use for accessing Amazon services such as the video game streaming site, Twitch.

It’s completely understandable if you’ve forgotten your send-to-Kindle email address as most people wouldn’t have used it much if at all. Thankfully, it’s very easy to locate and can be found within the Settings section of the operating system on your Kindle itself or within the Settings page on your Kindle app.

Your send-to-Kindle email address can also be found on this page on the Amazon website by clicking the ellipsis next to your preferred Kindle app or device.

This page also contains information on installed Audible apps which don’t support send-to-Kindle functionality. If you can’t see an email address, double-check to make sure that you’re not viewing the details of an Audible app.

Each send-to-Kindle email address is completely different for each device so if you want to send a PDF to multiple devices, you’ll need to email the file to multiple send-to-Kindle email addresses.

Approving Your Email Address for PDF File Kindle Transfer

By default, your email address that you use to log into the Amazon website and apps will already be approved for sending PDF files to your Kindle apps and ereaders. If, however, you want to use a different email address, you’ll need to register it as an approved email address.

This is done to prevent complete strangers from spamming Kindle devices with their own PDFs.

To add an approved email address to your account:

Go to the Preferences section of the Manage Your Content and Devices page on the Amazon website
Under Personal Document Settings, click Add a new approved e-mail address.
After clicking the link, a form will pop up. Enter your email address in the provided field and click Add Address.

How to Send PDF to Kindle

Now that you have your send-to-Kindle email address and have added your personal email address as an approved email in your Amazon account, you’re ready to send your PDF to your Kindle.

Open your preferred email app or service such as Outlook or Gmail and begin composing a new email.
Within the Recipients or Address field, enter the send-to-Kindle email address for the Kindle ereader, tablet, or app that you want to send the PDF file to.
If you want to convert your PDF file into the native Kindle file format, write Convert into the email Subject line. Amazon will automatically convert your PDF file for you during the send process.

PDF files with advanced or complex styles may lose their formatting when converted. If your file displays incorrectly, simply repeat these steps and leave the Subject line blank. Kindle devices and apps can generally read PDF files completely fine without any conversion.
Attach the PDF file to your email as you would any other email attachment.

Make sure that the PDF file finishes uploading to your email before proceeding.
Click Send.
The Kindle PDF file transfer can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so and can vary depending on the size of the file.

If your Kindle, or the smart device with the Kindle app installed on it, is disconnected from the internet, Amazon will continue to attempt to send the PDF file for around 60 days. After this time has expired, you will need to send the file again in a new email.

How to Read PDF on Kindle eReaders

Once you’ve sent a PDF file to your Kindle ereader’s associated email address, it should appear within your regular library of novels, comic books, and other publications you’ve purchased or downloaded in the past.

Reading PDF files on a Kindle works in exactly the same way as reading a Kindle ebook. All you need to do is tap on its thumbnail or title and it will automatically open.

How to Read PDF on Kindle for PC and Mac

The Kindle apps for Windows and macOS computers don’t have send-to-Kindle email addresses but they do support native importing for local PDF files.

Here’s how to read PDF files in the Kindle for PC and Mac apps.

Open the Kindle app on your Windows or Mac computer.
Click File.
Click Import PDF.
A file browser will pop up. Locate your PDF file and click Open.
Your PDF file will now be readable and editable within the Kindle app.

When you’re finished, you can close the app as you usually do or click Library to return to the app’s main menu.