Convert TEX to EPUB

Why Convert LaTeX to EPUB?

Converting LaTeX documents to EPUB format enables you to distribute academic and technical content as portable e-books. While LaTeX produces beautiful PDFs for print, EPUB offers reflowable content that adapts to any screen size, making your documents accessible on smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and computers.

EPUB (Electronic Publication) was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum in 2007 and is now maintained by the W3C. It's the most widely supported e-book format, working on Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play Books, and most e-reader apps. Only Amazon Kindle requires conversion to MOBI or AZW3 format.

For academic authors, converting LaTeX to EPUB opens new distribution channels. Your research papers, textbooks, and technical documentation can reach readers who prefer mobile devices or e-readers. Students can study your materials on their preferred devices without being tied to a computer.

EPUB 3 supports MathML for mathematical notation, making it increasingly suitable for scientific content. While not as sophisticated as LaTeX math rendering, modern e-readers can display equations correctly. For complex math-heavy documents, equations can be converted to images as a fallback.

Key Benefits of Converting TEX to EPUB:

• Mobile Reading: Read on phones, tablets, and e-readers anywhere
• Reflowable Content: Text adapts to screen size and user preferences
• Universal Compatibility: Works on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and most readers
• Adjustable Typography: Readers can change fonts and sizes
• Offline Access: Download once, read anywhere without internet
• Digital Distribution: Sell or share through e-book platforms
• Accessibility: Screen reader support for visually impaired

Practical Examples

Example 1: Academic Textbook Chapter

Input TEX file (chapter1.tex):

\chapter{Introduction to Quantum Mechanics}

\section{Wave-Particle Duality}
One of the fundamental concepts in quantum
mechanics is wave-particle duality. Light
behaves both as a \textbf{wave} and as
discrete \textit{particles} called photons.

\subsection{The Photoelectric Effect}
Einstein explained this phenomenon using:
\begin{equation}
  E = h\nu
\end{equation}

where $h$ is Planck's constant and $\nu$
is the frequency of light.

Result: EPUB e-book chapter viewable on any e-reader with proper formatting, navigation, and equation display.

Example 2: Technical Manual

Input TEX file (manual.tex):

\section{Installation Guide}

\begin{enumerate}
  \item Download the software package
  \item Verify the checksum: \texttt{sha256sum file.tar.gz}
  \item Extract: \texttt{tar -xzf file.tar.gz}
  \item Run the installer
\end{enumerate}

\textbf{System Requirements:}
\begin{itemize}
  \item 4GB RAM minimum
  \item 10GB disk space
  \item Linux, macOS, or Windows 10+
\end{itemize}

Result: Mobile-friendly technical documentation that engineers can read on tablets or phones in the field.

Example 3: Research Paper for E-Book Collection

Input TEX file (paper.tex):

\documentclass{article}
\title{Machine Learning in Healthcare}
\author{Dr. Sarah Chen}
\date{2024}

\begin{document}
\maketitle
\begin{abstract}
This paper reviews recent advances in
applying machine learning to medical
diagnosis and treatment planning.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}
Artificial intelligence is transforming
healthcare delivery across the globe...

Result: Research paper formatted as an e-book with cover, table of contents, and proper chapter navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is EPUB format?

A: EPUB (Electronic Publication) is an open e-book standard maintained by the W3C. It's essentially a ZIP file containing HTML, CSS, images, and metadata. EPUB files are supported by virtually all e-readers except Amazon Kindle, which uses its own formats (MOBI, AZW3, KF8).

Q: Will my LaTeX equations display correctly in EPUB?

A: EPUB 3 supports MathML for mathematical notation, and many modern e-readers can display it correctly. For maximum compatibility, equations can also be converted to SVG or PNG images. Complex LaTeX math environments may need some adjustment, but standard equations typically convert well.

Q: Can I read EPUB files on my Kindle?

A: Amazon Kindle devices don't natively support EPUB. However, you can use our TEX to MOBI or TEX to AZW3 converters for Kindle compatibility. Alternatively, you can use Calibre to convert EPUB to Kindle formats, or send EPUB files to Kindle via Amazon's conversion service.

Q: What happens to figures and images?

A: Images referenced in your LaTeX document are embedded in the EPUB file. They're optimized for screen display and will reflow with the text. Very large images may be scaled to fit typical e-reader screens while maintaining quality.

Q: Will the table of contents work?

A: Yes, the EPUB includes a navigation table of contents (NCX for EPUB 2, NAV for EPUB 3) generated from your LaTeX \chapter, \section, and \subsection commands. Readers can use this to jump between sections easily.

Q: Can I sell EPUB books I create?

A: Absolutely! EPUB is the standard format for most e-book stores including Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, and many others. You can upload your converted EPUB directly to these platforms for distribution or sale.

Q: What about bibliography and citations?

A: BibTeX citations are converted to formatted references in the EPUB. The bibliography section becomes a chapter that readers can navigate to. Hyperlinked citations (using hyperref in LaTeX) may be preserved as internal links depending on the complexity of your document.