What is Kepub Format? How to Convert Kepub to ePub/PDF/Mobi?

How much did you know about the Kepub format? Did you ever tried to convert Kepub format to common ePub, PDF or Mobi format, but didn't know how? Keep reading. You'll learn everything about the Kepub format. 

Part 1. What is Kepub format?

Kepub is a term used to describe the ebook format designed for Rakuten Kobo ebooks. The file name of a Kepub file is a string of characters, such as "2df3ecb2-3af6-48ee-afb7-d145cc41b895". Actually, these Kepub files are protected by Kobo DRM. It's the Kobo DRM that doesn't allow you to read Kobo books on any device freeely. Compared with Kobo ePub format, Kepub format has the following advantages:

• Quicker to respond to page turn gestures (especially tap gesture).
• Faster text selection (e.g. when highlighting large areas of text).
• Support for footnote previews.
• Can double-tap to zoom images.
• Shows number of minutes of reading left until end of chapter.
• Shows title of ebook in the header (negative for some people).
• support for ePub 3.

Part 2. Where can we download the Kobo Kepub files?

As for now, the Kepub file format has been widely adopted by Kobo books. All the Kobo ebooks downloaded from the Kobo for PC/Mac desktop app and the Kobo devices are Kepub files. 

Part 3. Where are Kepub files stored?

If you download your Kobo Kepub files from the Kobo for PC/Mac desktop app, you can find them here:

For Windows :\Users\username\AppData\Local\Kobo\Kobo Desktop Edition\kepub

For Mac: \Users\username\Library\Application Support\Kobo\Kobo Desktop Edition\Kepub

If you download your Kobo Kepub files from your Kobo device, you'll find them here when you plug the device into your computer:

KOBOeReader\.kobo\kepub

Part 4. How to convert Kepub format to ePub/PDF/Mobi?

Although the Kepub files are DRM-protected, there are still some tools out there that can help us to remove the DRM and convert the Kepub file to common ePub, PDF, or Mobi format.

Tool 1. Calibre + Obok Plugin.

Calibre is an open-source and free tool for ebook management and ebook format conversion. After the Obok plugin is installed, Calibre can also be used to remove Kobo DRM from the Kepub files. 

For a detailed guide, please read my previous post:

How to Remove Kobo DRM with Calibre Obok Plugin

Tool 2. Epubor Ultimate - the easiest-to-use Kobo Kepub Converter.

In this part, I would like to share you with a much easier-to-use Kobo Kepub Converter, that is, the famous ebook DRM Removal and eBook Converter tool called Epubor Ultimate. 

Download Epubor Ultimate here for Free

 

When using Epubor Ultimate, you don't have to install any other plugins to get it to work. Just drag your Kobo Kepub files and drop them to the main interface of Epubor Ultimate. And then choose your expected output format. 

Bonus Tips: if you don't want to or couldn't find your downloaded Kobo Kepub files manually on your computer, that's totally OK. Epubor Ultimate can automatically detect and upload them. You can see all your downloaded Kobo Kepub files at the left column of Epubor Ultimate, whether you download them from the Kobo for PC/Mac or your Kobo eReader device. 

Just drag and drop them from the left column to the right main window, and choose the output format as PDF, ePub, Mobi, AZW3, or TXT. All done!

Notice:

Kepub files downloaded via Kobo for PC/Mac can be found under the "Kobo" tab.

Kepub files downloaded via Kobo eReader can be found under the "Kobo dev" tab.