How to View PDF Files on a Kindle Device
With its lightweight design and easy-to-read screen, the Kindle device is also ideal for viewing PDF files. In this guide, we explain how to view PDF files on a Kindle device.
Modified at: 2025.9.16Posted at: 2024.6.4
Kindle Devices Natively Support PDF
Kindle devices support displaying PDF files by default (except for the first-generation Kindle. Kindle 2nd generation added support starting from firmware version 2.3).
Therefore, you can view PDF files directly on a Kindle device without any special file conversion.
How to Import PDF Files to a Kindle Device
The important point is how to import PDF files into the Kindle device.
Currently, there are two ways to import PDF files into a Kindle:
- Transfer files from a PC via USB connection
- Use Send to Kindle to sync files with Amazon Cloud
Let’s compare the differences between the two.
| Item | Via USB | Send to Kindle |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Kindle | Manually transfer files from PC | Send data via app or web, download on device |
| Deleting from Kindle | Delete from device and PC storage | Delete directly on device |
| Deleted PDF handling | Permanently deleted | Remains stored in the cloud |
Transfer Files from PC via USB
This is the most basic method.
Connect your Kindle device to a PC with a USB cable, and place the PDF file into the “Documents” folder of the “Kindle” storage that appears on your computer. After that, you can open the PDF file from the Kindle library.
USB file transfer is supported on all models since the 2nd generation Kindle DX, meaning it works on almost all Kindle devices currently available on the market.
Using Send to Kindle
A surprisingly convenient method is using Send to Kindle, a feature you’ll want to master if you use a Kindle.
Steps when using Send to Kindle:
- Upload the PDF file via email, app, or web browser
- Wait for the file to be converted and stored in Amazon Cloud
- Download the file from the cloud to your Kindle device
At first glance, this may seem inconvenient, but once uploaded, a PDF remains available in the cloud until you delete it. This allows you to delete finished files from your device and re-download them later whenever needed—all wirelessly.
Send to Kindle supports not only PDF files but also images and EPUB files, making it a powerful feature that can greatly enhance your reading experience.