How to Use Kindle’s New Custom Font Feature
In June 2018 Amazon released an update for the Kindle ereaders that gave users the option of installing their own fonts.
This feature is available on all current Kindles from the second Kindle Paperwhite (2014) to the new Oasis (2017) and fourth-gen Paperwhite (2018) that are running firmware version 5.9.6 or later.
If you have one of those Kindles, here’s how you can install fonts.
Note: This is for the E-ink Kindles, not the Kindles running Android.
The first thing you need is one or more fonts to install. There are many sites where you can download them, but luckily for you back in 2016 I collected a bundle of fonts that had been developed for E-ink screens. You can download them as a ZIP file from the link below.
I assembled that collection so that it would be easier to find and install fonts on the Kobo ereader, and now it can serve double duty by saving Kindle owners the hassle of finding the fonts on their own.
Download the ZIP file, unzip it, and you are halfway to installing the fonts on your Kindle.
The process could not be simpler.
- Simply plug your Kindle device into your computer over USB, and then use your computer to navigate to and open the folder labeled fonts in the root folder of the device.
- Select one of the folders in the bundle folder, and open it.
- Copy all the font files from your chosen folder to the fonts folder on your Kindle. A font family usually comes in sets of four, and they all have to have similar names otherwise they won’t all be found by the device. (I took care of this detail when I assembled the bundle, don’t worry.)
Once you have copied the files to your Kindle’s font folder, unplug your Kindle from the USB cable.
Pick up your Kindle, open an ebook, and select the "Font & Page Settings" menu. If everything went the way it should you will find a new custom option setting in the Kindle’s font selection screen.
The Kindle should automatically detect all compatible fonts and display them for you to choose from.
I just tried this, and successfully installed Roboto, AndikaInk, and Liux Libertine fonts. The latter two had been customized to look better on E-ink screens. I am rather fond of the Linux Libertine font; it might actually displace Bookerly as my preferred font.
Which one do you prefer?
Comments
Danny January 2, 2019 um 3:32 pm
Thanks for the fonts, I’ll give them a try.
I wish Amazon would add the ability to have the book cover as the screensaver, that’s the only reason I jailbroke my 2nd Gen Kindle Paperwhite and is keeping me from buying a new Paperwhite.
Steve H. January 2, 2019 um 4:23 pm
I really use the new font capability…just to see how many my Oasis can contain…I downloaded 90! From free font sites.
The first step is to download a font then unzip…then drag and drop into the fonts folder on your Kindle.
n January 2, 2019 um 7:33 pm
As in the 2016 post, I suggest the <a href="https://www.huertatipografica.com/en/fonts/bitter-ht"Bitter font released with the OFL license. Is a slab serif font, like Caecilia.
Robert Nagle January 3, 2019 um 11:24 am
From Google fonts, I really like Merriweather and Alegreya
Robert Nagle January 3, 2019 um 11:28 am
Wow, I really like the Linux Libertine font too! Thanks. I might publish my next ebook using it…
Michael Larter January 3, 2019 um 2:31 pm
Nate, thanks for the fonts. I’m trying out both the Linus Libertine and the Andikaink, and my first impression of both is very positive. I have previously downloaded a number of free fonts and my favorites are Merriweather (regular and sans), Open Sans, Bitter, and Charis SIL (the latter of which is included in your bundle).
For readers who like their fonts on the bolder side (which I do), I recommend downloading only the bold and bold italic versions of each font set. At least for me (using a second generation Oasis), when the full set for any font is downloaded, the kindle software seems to default to the regular fonts only. Of course, the regular font can be bolded using the native Kindle boldness “slider”, but when you use only the bold font set you start with a higher level of bolding and will then be able to achieve an even higher degree of bolding using the slider.
Since this is my first time commenting here, Nate, I’d also like to take the opportunity to say that I’ve been reading your blog for many years now, and want to thank you for the time and energy that you put into making the blog so enjoyable and informative.
Andrea Rosellini December 31, 2019 um 3:44 am
Tried your solution on both my Kindle, a not so old one and a brand new Paperwhite.
With no success at all.
Should it be because I’m using a Mac?
I am able to see copied fonts (.otf) in the proper folder. Yet I’m not able to see any of them when choosing fonts from Kindle.
Any good suggestions?
TIA
Özlem March 23, 2020 um 3:03 pm
Hi,using paper white 2. I have loaded some fonts. I can see the new fonts on paper white using guide document.thay worked well. But the new fonts doesnt work on any other documents on my kindle. Like epub, pdf none… ? have tried all other documents it didnt work. Only original fonts can be selected. Sorry for bad english plz help