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How to Convert PDF to EPUB

8 May 2023

Illustration depicting a PDF document being converted to EPUB format, indicating file conversion.

This article was updated on 9 February 2026

You can convert a PDF to EPUB in MobiPDF by opening your PDF, selecting PDF to EPUB from the Home menu, choosing the document languages, and clicking Convert. In seconds, your file becomes a mobile-friendly EPUB you can read comfortably on any device.

Key takeaways

  • Converting a PDF to EPUB makes reading easier on mobile and improves accessibility.

  • EPUB text reflows automatically, so no zooming or side-scrolling needed.

  • MobiPDF preserves layout details and supports secure offline conversions.

  • Use OCR for scanned PDFs to maintain formatting in the EPUB output.

  • MobiPDF also converts EPUB back to PDF for business workflows and file sharing.

CONVERT PDF TO EPUB

What is EPUB and why convert PDF to EPUB?

EPUB is a reflowable eBook format designed for reading on digital devices. Unlike PDF, it adapts text to your screen size – perfect for long files like policies, textbooks, and training materials.

Professionals convert PDFs to EPUB when they want:

  • Comfortable reading on smaller screens

  • Adjustable text size and spacing

  • Better navigation with bookmarks and search

  • Accessibility features like text –to speech

  • Smaller files that load fast on mobile devices

If your goal is reading, EPUB is the better format since it’s a reflowable format. This means that, unlike a PDF, which will remain static regardless of which device you use to open it, the EPUB naturally adapts to the screen size of your device by dynamically changing the font size and all other elements within the file.

What this means in practice is that you’re no longer required to zoom in and out of your document to read the file’s contents. Instead, you get a consistent experience across a wide range of devices, be it a PC, a Mac, a tablet, or the latest iPhone. And while EPUB3 does support a static layout mode as well, which essentially emulates a PDF, you would be missing out if you use this mode instead of the reflowable layout. How to convert a PDF to EPUB without losing formatting

MobiPDF preserves key layout elements so your converted EPUB stays true to the original PDF.

It maintains:

  • Paragraph and table structure

  • Lists, headings, and styling

  • Images and hyperlinks

If your PDF was scanned, run OCR in MobiPDF first to ensure accurate text flow inside the EPUB.

EXPLORE OCR

What are the advantages of converting a PDF to EPUB?

EPUB files are designed for a better reading experience – especially on mobile devices – by adapting text to any screen. When you convert a PDF to EPUB, long documents become easier to navigate, more accessible, and more interactive.

Key benefits of the EPUB format include:

  • Reflowable text for readability

    Font size, spacing, and layout automatically adjust to the device – no zooming or side-scrolling required.

  • Built-in accessibility and text-to-speech

    EPUB supports voice reading, custom typography, and pagination settings that help readers with visual needs.

  • HTML5 and CSS3 support for smarter navigation

    Embedded links, interactive content, and structured sections make it easy to jump between chapters or reference materials.

  • Better search visibility

    EPUB files can be indexed more deeply than static PDFs, improving content discoverability in learning systems and digital libraries.

  • DRM protection

    EPUB supports Digital Rights Management so publishers can secure content against unauthorized access.

  • Multimedia capabilities

    Videos, audio clips, GIFs, and dynamic infographics can all live inside the document for more engaging training materials or interactive learning.

  • Compatibility with leading eReaders

    EPUB is widely supported across Kindle (via Send-to-Kindle), Apple Books, Android apps, and most professional e-reading tools.

These advantages make EPUB ideal for HR policies, course materials, compliance training, legal manuals, and any document that will be read frequently on smaller screens.

Compatible with the major market players. EPUB3 is designed to work with some of the most popular eReaders and reading apps out there, such as various Apple and Amazon products, Samsung tablets, and more.

How to convert PDF to EPUB – a step-by-step guide

First, download the software and open MobiPDF. From the Home menu, take the following steps:

  1. Click on More, then on PDF to EPUB in the Tools window.
    Go to More / PDF to ePub to start the conversion process

  2. MobiPDF will then ask you to locate the file that you wish to convert.
    Open the file you wish to convert to ePub

Pro tip: You can also start the conversion process while the file is already open in MobiPDF.

Here is how:

  1. Go to the main ribbon and click Convert, then click To More.
    Converting to EPUB through main ribbon in MobiPDF

  2. From the drop-down menu choose PDF to ePUB.
    Choosing PDF to ePUB in MobiPDF

  3. The EPUB file converter will ask you where to save the output file. You can tick the Reduce File option to compress your PDF.
    Reducing file size for your eBook

  4. MobiPDF will start converting your PDF to an EPUB format. This might take a few seconds or up to a minute, depending on the original file’s size and formatting.
    Converting PDF to an EPUB format

  5. That’s it!

LEARN MORE

When should you convert EPUB to PDF?

Convert EPUB to PDF when you need a document to look exactly the same everywhere and be easily shared, signed, or printed. PDF is universally supported, so recipients don’t need any special reader apps as the file opens correctly on any device.

EPUB is excellent for reading, but PDF is better for business workflows where documents must remain secure, controlled, and unchanged. This is why organizations rely on PDF for:

  • Contracts, agreements, and legal forms

  • HR and onboarding documents

  • Policies, reports, and manuals

  • Files that need approval, signatures, or printing

PDF also offers stronger protection features not available in EPUB:

  • Password permissions (view-only, restrict copying or editing)

  • 128/256-bit encryption for sensitive data

  • Digital signatures to validate identity and prevent tampering

And once converted, PDFs can be:

  • Signed electronically

  • Annotated and organized

  • Compressed for easier sharing and storage

So while EPUB is the best format for reading, PDF remains the industry standard for secure document exchange. Converting EPUB to PDF gives you complete control over layout, distribution, and compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a PDF be converted to EPUB?

Yes - MobiPDF converts PDFs to EPUB in seconds.

How do I convert a PDF to EPUB without losing formatting?

Use OCR for scanned documents and convert with a professional tool like MobiPDF that preserves layouts and images.

Can I convert a PDF to EPUB for free?

Yes - MobiPDF offers free conversion options, and online tools exist with limitations.

Can EPUB be converted to PDF?

Yes, MobiPDF supports converting EPUB to PDF.

How do I open an EPUB file as a PDF?

Convert it to PDF first so that any PDF reader can open it.

Final thoughts

EPUB is the best format for comfortable reading on any device, while PDF remains essential for secure sharing, signatures, and printing. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” – in the end, the right format depends on how the document will be used.

With MobiPDF, you can easily convert both ways so every file is always in the format that works best for you.

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Alexander Petkov is an experienced content strategist with a BA in English Language and a keen passion for PDF technology and office software. When he's not wrangling words, you can find him exploring the latest AI trends, composing tunes, and spending quality time with his family.

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