EPUB to HTML Converter
Convert EPUB ebook files to HTML format. Extract book content, metadata, chapters, and images from EPUB files for web viewing or further processing.
Input
Output
| # | Filename | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| No data available | ||
Readme
What is an EPUB file?
EPUB (Electronic Publication) is the most widely used open standard format for digital books and publications. Unlike PDF files which maintain fixed layouts, EPUB files are designed to be reflowable, meaning the text automatically adjusts to fit different screen sizes and devices. An EPUB file is essentially a ZIP archive containing XHTML or HTML content, CSS stylesheets, images, and metadata files organized according to the EPUB specification.
The format was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and is now maintained by the W3C. EPUB files use the .epub extension and are supported by most e-readers, tablets, and reading applications including Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, and many others.
Tool description
This converter extracts and transforms EPUB ebook files into standard HTML format. It parses the EPUB package structure, reads the book's metadata, processes all chapters in their correct reading order, and generates a single consolidated HTML file that can be viewed in any web browser or further processed for other purposes.
How it works
The converter processes EPUB files through several steps:
- Unzipping: EPUB files are ZIP archives, so the tool first extracts the contents
- Locating the OPF file: The
META-INF/container.xmlfile points to the OPF (Open Packaging Format) file which contains the book's manifest and reading order - Parsing metadata: Extracts title, author, publisher, language, publication date, and description from Dublin Core metadata elements
- Processing the spine: The OPF spine defines the reading order of chapters, ensuring content appears in the correct sequence
- Extracting content: Each XHTML chapter file is processed, extracting the body content
- Embedding images: Images are converted to Base64 data URIs so they're embedded directly in the HTML
- Including styles: CSS stylesheets from the EPUB are optionally merged into the output
Features
- Extracts complete book metadata including title, author, publisher, language, and description
- Preserves chapter reading order as defined in the EPUB spine
- Converts embedded images to Base64 data URIs for self-contained HTML output
- Optionally includes original CSS styles from the EPUB
- Allows downloading individual chapters separately or the complete book as a single HTML file
Options explained
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Include Styles | When enabled, extracts CSS stylesheets from the EPUB and embeds them in the output HTML. This preserves the original formatting and typography. Disable for plain, unstyled content. |
| Include Images | When enabled, converts images to Base64 data URIs embedded directly in the HTML. The resulting file is self-contained but larger. Disable for text-only output. |
Use cases
- Web publishing: Convert ebooks to HTML for publishing excerpts or full content on websites without requiring special ebook readers
- Content extraction: Extract text and images from EPUB files for editing, reformatting, or importing into other document formats
- Archival and backup: Create browser-readable HTML versions of your ebook library that don't depend on specific reading software
Supported formats
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
| EPUB 2.0 | HTML5 |
| EPUB 3.0 | HTML5 |
Limitations
- DRM-protected EPUB files cannot be converted. The tool only works with unprotected files
- Very large EPUB files with many high-resolution images may take longer to process
- Some complex EPUB 3 features like embedded audio/video, JavaScript interactivity, or advanced CSS may not transfer perfectly
- Fixed-layout EPUBs (common in comics and children's books) may not display as intended since the tool is optimized for reflowable content
Tips
- For the smallest output file size, disable both "Include Styles" and "Include Images" options
- If you only need specific chapters, use the individual chapter download buttons instead of downloading the complete book
- The generated HTML includes semantic markup with
<section>elements for each chapter, making it easy to apply custom styling or further process the content - Chapter filenames are preserved as
data-sourceattributes, helpful for identifying content origin
FAQ
Q: Why is my EPUB file not converting? A: The most common reason is DRM protection. EPUB files purchased from some stores include copy protection that prevents conversion. The file may also be corrupted or not follow the EPUB standard correctly.
Q: Can I convert the HTML back to EPUB? A: This tool only converts in one direction (EPUB to HTML). For creating EPUB files from HTML, you would need a dedicated EPUB creation tool like Calibre or Sigil.
Q: Why are some images missing in the output? A: Images with unusual paths or non-standard formats may not be processed correctly. Ensure the "Include Images" option is enabled. Some EPUB files reference external images via URLs which cannot be embedded.