Convert RTF to AZW3
Max file size 100mb.
RTF vs AZW3 Format Comparison
| Aspect | RTF (Source Format) | AZW3 (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
RTF
Rich Text Format
Document format developed by Microsoft that supports text formatting, fonts, colors, images, and basic layout. Widely supported across different platforms and word processors. Uses readable ASCII-based markup. Document Format Cross-Platform |
AZW3
Kindle Format 8 (KF8)
Amazon's modern ebook format introduced in 2011, also known as Kindle Format 8 (KF8). Supports HTML5, CSS3, embedded fonts, complex layouts, and multimedia. Successor to MOBI with significantly enhanced capabilities for modern Kindle devices and apps. Kindle Format HTML5/CSS3 |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: ASCII markup with control words
Encoding: ASCII with Unicode support Features: Formatting, fonts, colors, images Compatibility: High (word processors) Extensions: .rtf |
Structure: HTML5 + CSS3 in Amazon container
Encoding: UTF-8 Features: HTML5, CSS3, fonts, layouts, multimedia Compatibility: Kindle 2011+, all modern devices Extensions: .azw3, .kf8 |
| Syntax Examples |
RTF uses control words: {\rtf1\ansi
{\b Bold text\b0}
\par Paragraph
}
|
AZW3 uses HTML5/CSS3: <html>
<head>
<style>
.chapter { font-size: 1.2em; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1 class="chapter">Chapter 1</h1>
<p>Text with <b>bold</b></p>
</body>
</html>
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| Content Support |
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| Advantages |
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| Disadvantages |
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| Common Uses |
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| Conversion Process |
RTF document contains:
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Our converter creates:
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| Best For |
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| Device Support |
Desktop: MS Word, WordPad, LibreOffice
Mobile: Limited e-reader support E-ink: Poor support Web: Browser plugins needed |
E-ink: Kindle Touch/Paperwhite/Oasis (2011+)
Tablets: Kindle Fire, Fire HD, Fire HDX Mobile: Kindle app (iOS, Android, Windows) Desktop: Kindle for PC/Mac |
Why Convert RTF to AZW3?
Converting RTF documents to AZW3 (Kindle Format 8) is essential for creating modern, professionally formatted ebooks for Amazon Kindle devices introduced in 2011 and later. When you convert RTF to AZW3, you're transforming a basic document format into Amazon's advanced ebook format that supports HTML5, CSS3, embedded fonts, and complex layouts. AZW3 is the successor to MOBI and offers dramatically superior formatting capabilities, making it the preferred choice for Kindle Direct Publishing and modern Kindle ebooks.
AZW3 (also known as KF8 - Kindle Format 8) was introduced by Amazon in 2011 with the Kindle Fire tablet and Kindle Touch e-reader. It replaced the aging MOBI format with a modern HTML5/CSS3-based architecture that supports embedded fonts, advanced typography, fixed layouts, enhanced images, and multimedia elements. AZW3 enables publishers to create visually rich ebooks including children's books with illustrations, textbooks with diagrams, magazines with complex layouts, and technical books with code formatting.
Our converter transforms RTF documents into AZW3 ebooks by extracting content, converting formatting to HTML5/CSS3, and packaging everything in the Kindle Format 8 container. The resulting file includes proper KF8 metadata, table of contents navigation, and support for Kindle-specific features like X-Ray (character and term exploration), Word Wise (vocabulary assistance), and Whispersync (cross-device syncing). The AZW3 format uses reflowable text by default but also supports fixed layouts for content requiring precise positioning.
AZW3 excels in the modern Kindle ecosystem for several reasons: it's the native format for all Kindle devices from 2011 onwards (Kindle Touch, Paperwhite, Voyage, Oasis, Scribe, and all Fire tablets), supports embedded custom fonts ensuring consistent typography across devices, enables complex page layouts impossible in older formats, integrates seamlessly with Amazon's enhanced ebook features, and is the recommended format for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). For best results, AZW3 should be used instead of MOBI for all new Kindle publishing projects.
Key Benefits of Converting RTF to AZW3:
- Modern Format: HTML5/CSS3 support for advanced layouts and styling
- Embedded Fonts: Include custom fonts for consistent typography
- Enhanced Features: X-Ray, Word Wise, Whispersync, Page Flip
- Complex Layouts: Tables, sidebars, multi-column text, fixed layouts
- Better Images: Higher quality image rendering and SVG support
- KDP Standard: Recommended format for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
- Future-Proof: Actively supported and enhanced by Amazon
Practical Examples
Example 1: Novel with Custom Font
Input RTF file (novel.rtf):
The Midnight Garden Chapter One: The Discovery Emma walked through the garden gate just as the clock struck midnight. The flowers seemed to glow in the moonlight.
Output AZW3 file with embedded font:
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
<title>The Midnight Garden</title>
<style>
@font-face {
font-family: 'BookFont';
src: url('fonts/BookFont.ttf');
}
body {
font-family: 'BookFont', serif;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.chapter-title {
font-size: 1.8em;
text-align: center;
margin: 2em 0 1em;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Midnight Garden</h1>
<div class="chapter-title">Chapter One: The Discovery</div>
<p>Emma walked through the garden gate just as the clock struck midnight.</p>
<p>The flowers seemed to glow in the moonlight.</p>
</body>
</html>
Example 2: Children's Book with Fixed Layout
Input RTF file (kids-book.rtf) with images:
The Little Dragon [Image: dragon.jpg] Once upon a time, there was a small dragon named Spark. He lived in a cozy cave in the mountains.
Output AZW3 with fixed layout (for picture books):
<!-- content.opf metadata -->
<meta name="fixed-layout" content="true"/>
<meta name="original-resolution" content="1200x1600"/>
<meta name="orientation-lock" content="portrait"/>
<!-- Page content -->
<html>
<head>
<style>
body {
width: 1200px;
height: 1600px;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.page {
position: relative;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
}
.dragon-image {
position: absolute;
top: 100px;
left: 100px;
width: 1000px;
height: 800px;
}
.text {
position: absolute;
bottom: 200px;
left: 100px;
right: 100px;
font-size: 48px;
text-align: center;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="page">
<h1 style="text-align: center; margin-top: 50px;">The Little Dragon</h1>
<img src="images/dragon.jpg" class="dragon-image"/>
<div class="text">
Once upon a time, there was a small dragon named Spark.
He lived in a cozy cave in the mountains.
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
Example 3: Technical Book with Code Formatting
Input RTF file (programming.rtf):
Python Programming Basics
Chapter 1: Hello World
Here's your first Python program:
print("Hello, World!")
This code displays a greeting message.
Output AZW3 with syntax highlighting:
<html>
<head>
<style>
@font-face {
font-family: 'SourceCodePro';
src: url('fonts/SourceCodePro.ttf');
}
.code-block {
background: #f5f5f5;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-left: 4px solid #4CAF50;
padding: 1em;
margin: 1em 0;
font-family: 'SourceCodePro', monospace;
font-size: 0.9em;
overflow-x: auto;
}
.keyword { color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; }
.string { color: #008000; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Python Programming Basics</h1>
<h2>Chapter 1: Hello World</h2>
<p>Here's your first Python program:</p>
<div class="code-block">
<span class="keyword">print</span>(<span class="string">"Hello, World!"</span>)
</div>
<p>This code displays a greeting message.</p>
</body>
</html>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is AZW3 format?
A: AZW3 (also called KF8 - Kindle Format 8) is Amazon's modern ebook format introduced in 2011. It's based on HTML5 and CSS3, supporting embedded fonts, complex layouts, enhanced typography, and multimedia. AZW3 replaced MOBI as Amazon's primary ebook format and is used by all modern Kindle devices and apps (2011 and later).
Q: Which Kindle devices support AZW3?
A: AZW3 is supported by Kindle Touch (2011), Kindle Paperwhite (all generations), Kindle Voyage, Kindle Oasis (all generations), Kindle Scribe, all Kindle Fire tablets, and Kindle apps on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Older Kindles (Kindle 1-4, released 2007-2011) only support MOBI format.
Q: What's the difference between MOBI and AZW3?
A: MOBI is the older format (2000s) with basic HTML support and limited styling. AZW3/KF8 is the modern replacement (2011+) with HTML5, CSS3, embedded fonts, complex layouts, better images, and multimedia support. AZW3 is superior in every way: better typography, enhanced features (X-Ray, Word Wise), fixed layouts for magazines/children's books, and is the current standard for Amazon KDP publishing.
Q: Can I embed custom fonts in AZW3?
A: Yes! This is one of AZW3's major advantages over MOBI. You can embed TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf) fonts using @font-face in CSS. This ensures your book displays with consistent typography across all Kindle devices. Popular choices include serif fonts for novels, sans-serif for non-fiction, and monospace fonts for code in technical books.
Q: Should I use AZW3 or EPUB for Kindle publishing?
A: For Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), use EPUB format. Amazon will automatically convert your EPUB to AZW3 and other Kindle formats during the publishing process. EPUB is now Amazon's recommended upload format, and their conversion tools optimize for each Kindle device. However, if converting personal documents for side-loading, AZW3 works perfectly.
Q: Can AZW3 files be read on non-Kindle devices?
A: No. AZW3 is a proprietary Amazon format that only works on Kindle devices and apps. Other e-readers (Kobo, Nook, PocketBook) cannot read AZW3 files. If you need cross-platform compatibility, use EPUB format instead. You can convert AZW3 to EPUB using Calibre, but DRM-protected files cannot be converted.
Q: What are fixed-layout vs. reflowable AZW3?
A: Reflowable AZW3 (default) adjusts text to screen size and allows readers to change font size. Best for novels and text-heavy books. Fixed-layout AZW3 locks elements to specific positions, like a PDF. Best for children's books with illustrations, comics, magazines, textbooks with diagrams, and cookbooks where precise layout matters. Fixed-layout requires specific metadata settings.
Q: How do I edit AZW3 metadata and content?
A: Use Calibre (free ebook management software). Right-click the book → "Edit metadata" to change title, author, cover, description, and tags. To edit content, right-click → "Edit book" to access the built-in HTML/CSS editor. Calibre can modify the HTML structure, add/remove images, adjust CSS styling, and fix formatting issues. It's the industry-standard tool for ebook management.