How to Create an EPUB File

If you're planning to publish an ebook, chances are you'll encounter the EPUB format sooner or later.

EPUB is the most widely supported ebook format in the publishing industry and is accepted by major retailers including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and many independent ebook stores.

While creating an EPUB file may sound technical, modern formatting tools have made the process much simpler than it once was.

In this guide, we'll explain what an EPUB file is, why it's important and how to create one for your book.

What Is an EPUB File?

EPUB stands for Electronic Publication.

It's an open ebook standard designed to work across a wide range of devices and reading apps.

Unlike a PDF, which has a fixed layout, an EPUB file is reflowable.

This means readers can:

• Change font size
• Adjust line spacing
• Change fonts
• Read on different screen sizes
• Switch between portrait and landscape orientation

The content adapts to the device being used.

Why EPUB Is Important

EPUB has become the standard format for ebook publishing because it offers flexibility and accessibility.

Most major ebook retailers accept EPUB files directly, including:

• Apple Books
• Kobo
• Barnes & Noble
• Google Play Books

Amazon Kindle also accepts EPUB files and converts them during the publishing process.

For many authors, a single EPUB file can be used across multiple retailers, with final checks completed during each retailer upload flow.

Start With a Clean Manuscript

Before creating an EPUB file, make sure your manuscript is properly prepared.

This includes:

• Consistent chapter headings
• Proper page breaks
• Consistent scene breaks
• Clean formatting
• Organized front matter
• Organized back matter

The quality of the source manuscript has a significant impact on the quality of the final EPUB.

For more information, see our guide to preparing a Word manuscript for formatting.

Structure Your Book Correctly

EPUB files rely heavily on structure.

Formatting software typically identifies:

• Chapters
• Front matter
• Back matter
• Navigation elements

using headings and document structure.

The more organized your manuscript is, the better the resulting EPUB file will be.

Include Front Matter

Most EPUB files include front matter such as:

• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Table of contents

Not every book requires every element, but a title page and copyright page are generally recommended.

For more information, see our guide to front matter.

Include Back Matter

Back matter is just as important in ebooks as it is in print books.

Common examples include:

• About the author
• Also by the author
• Newsletter signup information
• Acknowledgments

Many successful indie authors use back matter to encourage readers to discover their other books.

For more information, see our guide to back matter.

Create a Table of Contents

One of the biggest advantages of EPUB is navigation.

Most EPUB files include a clickable table of contents that allows readers to jump between chapters.

Modern formatting tools can usually generate this automatically using your chapter headings.

Be Careful With Images

If your ebook contains images:

• Use high-quality originals
• Optimize file sizes where appropriate
• Check placement carefully
• Preview on multiple devices or screen sizes

Large image files can increase download size and sometimes create compatibility issues.

For most novels, images are rarely necessary beyond the cover itself.

Export the EPUB File

Once the manuscript has been formatted, you can export an EPUB file.

Popular tools for creating EPUBs include:

• Koberger
• Vellum
• Atticus
• Reedsy Book Editor
• Scrivener

These tools handle much of the technical work automatically, allowing authors to focus on content and presentation.

Validate the EPUB

Before publishing, it's worth checking that the EPUB functions correctly.

Things to review include:

• Table of contents links
• Chapter breaks
• Scene breaks
• Images
• Front matter
• Back matter

Many retailers will also perform their own validation checks during upload.

Preview on Multiple Devices

An EPUB that looks polished in one reading environment may behave differently in another.

Whenever possible, preview your ebook on:

• A phone
• A tablet
• An e-reader
• A desktop reading app

This helps identify any issues before publication.

Common EPUB Problems

Some common EPUB issues include:

Missing Navigation

Usually caused by inconsistent chapter headings.

Broken Table of Contents

Often caused by structural issues within the manuscript.

Inconsistent Formatting

Typically caused by excessive manual formatting in the source document.

Oversized Images

Can increase file size unnecessarily and sometimes affect retailer acceptance.

Invalid EPUB Files

Usually caused by technical issues during export.

Fortunately, modern formatting software handles most of these challenges automatically.

Do You Need Technical Knowledge?

Not anymore.

In the past, creating an EPUB often involved editing HTML and CSS manually.

Today, dedicated formatting software can generate professional EPUB files with little or no technical knowledge required.

Most authors never need to look inside the EPUB file itself.

Instead, they focus on preparing a clean manuscript and reviewing the finished result.

EPUB vs PDF

Authors sometimes wonder whether they should upload a PDF instead.

For ebooks, EPUB is usually the better choice.

EPUB files:

• Adapt to different devices
• Support accessibility features
• Provide better reader control
• Are accepted by most ebook retailers

PDFs remain important for print books but are generally less suitable for ebook distribution.

Final Thoughts

Creating an EPUB file is one of the final steps in preparing an ebook for publication.

The process is much easier when you start with a clean manuscript, use consistent structure and review the finished file carefully before publishing.

For most authors, the technical side of EPUB creation is now handled by formatting software, allowing them to focus on producing a professional reading experience.

If you're preparing your first ebook, our guides to Kindle formatting, front matter and manuscript preparation are good next steps.