How to convert EPUB to PDF with Calibre
Step-by-step Calibre settings for EPUB to PDF and PDF to EPUB, bulk conversion, the command line, and a faster option for single books.
Short answer: in Calibre, click Add books, select the EPUB, click Convert books, set Output format to PDF (top right), adjust paper size and font under PDF output, and click OK. Then right-click the book and choose Open containing folder to find the PDF.
Calibre is a free, open-source ebook manager for Windows, Mac and Linux. It is the most powerful free tool for converting ebooks, and this guide walks through the exact settings for EPUB to PDF, PDF to EPUB and bulk conversion.
Calibre or an online converter?
| Calibre | EPUBtoPDF.net | |
|---|---|---|
| Install needed | Yes (desktop app) | No, runs in the browser |
| Works on phones and Chromebooks | No | Yes |
| Many books at once | ✓ Yes, bulk convert | ~ One at a time |
| Fine control over layout | ✓ Dozens of options | ~ Page size, font size, margins |
| Headers, footers, custom fonts | ✓ Kept | ✕ Not kept |
| Files uploaded? | No | No |
| Learning curve | Moderate | None |
For one book, the online converter is quicker. For a whole library, or when you want custom headers and fonts, use Calibre.
How to convert EPUB to PDF in Calibre, step by step
- Download Calibre from its official website (calibre-ebook.com) and install it. The first time you open it, a wizard asks where to keep your library; the default is fine.
- Click Add books on the toolbar and choose your EPUB, or drag the file onto the Calibre window.
- Select the book in the list and click Convert books.
- In the top-right corner of the conversion window, set Output format to PDF.
- Click PDF output in the left-hand list and choose the paper size and font size (see the next section).
- Click OK. A spinning “Jobs” counter in the bottom-right corner shows progress.
- When it finishes, right-click the book and choose Open containing folder. The PDF is next to the EPUB.
The PDF settings that matter
| Setting | Where | What to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size | PDF output | A4 or Letter for printing; A5 or a custom size for screens |
| Default font size | PDF output | Raise it if the text looks small |
| Page numbers | PDF output → “Add page numbers to the bottom of every page” | On for printed books |
| Table of contents | PDF output → “Add Table of Contents to end of book” | On if you print; the PDF already gets bookmarks |
| Page margins | PDF output (or Page setup in older versions) | Around 50–72 pt for print, smaller for screens |
| Header and footer | PDF output → Header / Footer template | Optional, e.g. the book title or chapter name |
| Base font size | Look & feel → Fonts | Affects the whole book’s text size |
Calibre remembers these settings, so you only set them once.
Convert many books at once
- Select several books in the list (hold Ctrl, or Cmd on a Mac, and click each one).
- Click Convert books. Calibre opens the bulk conversion window.
- Choose PDF as the output format, adjust PDF output once for all books, and click OK.
Each book is converted in turn. Large batches can take a while; you can keep using your computer in the meantime.
Command line: ebook-convert
Calibre installs a command-line tool called ebook-convert, handy for scripts and servers:
ebook-convert "book.epub" "book.pdf" --paper-size a4 --pdf-page-numbers --pdf-default-font-size 14
Other useful options include --pdf-page-margin-left (and right, top, bottom), --pdf-add-toc, and --pdf-header-template / --pdf-footer-template. On Windows, the tool is in the Calibre program folder; on a Mac it is inside the app bundle under Contents/MacOS.
PDF to EPUB in Calibre
The same steps work the other way round: add the PDF, click Convert books and choose EPUB. Before clicking OK, open Heuristic processing and tick Enable heuristic processing; it rejoins lines that the PDF split and removes some unwanted line breaks. Scanned PDFs still need OCR first, because Calibre cannot read text from images. You can also use our PDF to EPUB converter, which joins broken lines and strips page numbers automatically.
Problems and fixes
- The text in the PDF is tiny. Raise the Default font size in PDF output, and the Base font size under Look & feel → Fonts.
- The conversion never finishes. Click the Jobs counter in the bottom-right corner to see the job; stop it and try again with the book’s images removed or a smaller paper size. Restarting Calibre also helps.
- “This book is locked by DRM”. Calibre does not convert protected books.
- Images are cut off. Choose a larger paper size or smaller margins.
- Calibre is not installed and you cannot install it. Use the browser-based converter instead; it needs no installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can Calibre convert EPUB to PDF?
Yes. Select the book, click Convert books, choose PDF as the output format and click OK. The PDF is saved in your Calibre library folder.
Why is the text so small in my Calibre PDF?
Increase the Default font size in the PDF output section, and check the Base font size under Look & feel → Fonts. A smaller paper size such as A5 also makes text look bigger on screens.
Can Calibre convert PDF to EPUB?
Yes. Choose EPUB as the output format and turn on Heuristic processing to repair broken lines. Results depend on how the PDF was made.
Where does Calibre save the converted PDF?
Inside your Calibre library. Right-click the book and choose Open containing folder, or use Save to disk to copy it somewhere else.
Can Calibre convert DRM-protected books?
No. Calibre does not remove DRM; protected books must be read in the app they were bought for.
Is there a faster way for one book?
Yes. For a single book, our EPUB to PDF converter does the same job in your browser without installing anything.