Book Languages Supported on Amazon

Amazon supports publishing books in multiple languages through its Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. Here’s a quick breakdown:

eBooks: Supports a wide range of languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, and Japanese. Formats like ePub, MOBI, and HTML are commonly used.
Print Books: Limited to fewer languages, such as English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. PDF is the preferred format.
Right-to-Left (RTL) Languages: Supported for eBooks only, requiring specific formats like ePub for correct text direction.
Non-Latin Scripts: Languages like Hindi and Japanese require Unicode-compliant formats and proper character encoding.

Quick Comparison of Language Support

Category	Languages	Formats	Notes
Full Support	English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese	eBooks & Print	Broad formatting options available.
eBooks Only	Arabic, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Chinese (Traditional)	ePub, MOBI, HTML	Limited to digital publishing; print not supported.
Print Only	Polish, Ukrainian	PDF	Requires specific formatting adjustments.
Asian Languages	Japanese	ePub, XDMF (eBooks), PDF (Print)	Special handling for characters like Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana.
Right-to-Left	Arabic, Hebrew	ePub, HTML	Requires text direction formatting for proper display.

Key Takeaways:

Choose the correct language in the KDP Bookshelf to avoid file rejection.
Use proper formats: PDF for print, ePub for complex scripts or RTL languages.
Metadata matters: Accurate titles, subtitles, and keywords improve discoverability.
Tools like FlatFilePro simplify managing multilingual listings and metadata across Amazon marketplaces.

Amazon’s growing language support helps authors reach global audiences, but understanding formatting and technical requirements is essential for success.

Step by Step Self-Publishing with KDP: Book Publishing on Amazon

eBook Language Options

Amazon KDP supports a wide range of languages for eBooks, making it easier for authors to reach readers worldwide. This flexibility ensures books can be accessed across different regions and devices.

Primary Supported Languages

Language Type	Supported Formats	Key Details
Western & Asian	PDF, MOBI, DOC, HTML, ePub, TXT, RTF, XDMF	Western: Full formatting support; Asian: Special character handling
Right-to-Left (RTL)	HTML, ePub	Requires specific formatting for text direction

Format-Specific Requirements

Languages with unique scripts, like Japanese or RTL languages, need formats such as XDMF or ePub for proper layout and display. For RTL languages, maintaining correct text direction and readability is especially important ^[1]^[4].

Tips for Language Selection

Match the Content Language: Always choose the language in the KDP Bookshelf that matches your book’s content ^[1].
Test Formats: Check format compatibility and preview your eBook on Kindle devices to confirm it displays correctly.

Metadata Management

Accurate metadata is crucial for better discoverability and a smooth customer experience. If you’re publishing in multiple languages, tools like FlatFilePro can help keep metadata consistent and aligned with Amazon’s guidelines ^[3].

Technical Limitations

Keep in mind that while eBooks support many languages, print books have fewer options and stricter rules. Some languages may not work with certain formats or are limited to digital versions ^[1].

The next section will dive into the specific challenges of language support for print books.

Print Book Language Options

When it comes to print books on Amazon, the range of supported languages is narrower than for eBooks. Authors need to be aware of specific requirements and limitations.

Core Supported Languages

Amazon supports a select group of languages for print books, categorized as follows:

Language Group	Supported Languages	Format Requirements
Western European	English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Portuguese	Standard formats (PDF preferred)
Regional European	Polish, Ukrainian, Catalan, Galician, Basque	Special formatting required
Asian	Japanese	Special character handling required

Format Compatibility

Languages outside the Western European group often need different file formats or additional adjustments. While PDF is the go-to format for Western European languages, other languages might require extra steps to ensure characters display correctly and formatting remains intact ^[1].

Language Restrictions

Print books come with more limitations than eBooks. For instance, languages like Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, and Tamil, which are available for eBooks, are not supported in print. Additionally, right-to-left languages face unique challenges, including limited color options and specific formatting needs. Some are restricted entirely to eBook publishing ^[1].

Title and Subtitle Management

To maintain consistency and avoid formatting issues, authors should:

Use the same titles and subtitles across all formats.
Double-check character encoding for any special characters.

Technical Requirements

Authors must follow these steps to ensure their print books meet Amazon’s standards:

Select the correct language in the KDP Bookshelf.
Confirm that the chosen format is compatible with the language.
Adhere to formatting guidelines.
Test the files to ensure characters display as intended.

For those managing multiple language versions, tools like FlatFilePro can simplify catalog management and ensure metadata remains accurate while staying within Amazon’s publishing rules ^[3].

Language Setup Requirements

Publishing books in multiple languages on Amazon requires careful attention to specific guidelines and formatting rules. Here’s what you need to know.

Basic Language Selection

Make sure to choose the correct language in your KDP Bookshelf that matches your book’s content. If the language doesn’t align, your file will be automatically rejected ^[1].

Format and Language Specifications

File format requirements depend on the language. For Western European languages, standard formats like PDF are fine. However, for non-Latin scripts, you’ll need Unicode-compliant formats such as EPUB or MOBI. Right-to-Left languages require specialized formatting and have limitations, like fewer color options ^[1].

Non-Latin Scripts and Asian Languages

For non-Latin scripts, it’s essential to use Unicode-compliant fonts and UTF-8 encoding to ensure your book displays correctly. Test your files on multiple devices to confirm readability.

Japanese books can be published in both eBook and paperback formats. Amazon also supports the XDMF format for Japanese content, which helps handle Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, and punctuation marks properly ^[1].

Title and Metadata Requirements

Your book’s title and subtitle must match the cover exactly, stay within the 200-character limit, and avoid prohibited elements like repeated keywords, unauthorized references, or HTML tags ^[2].

If you’re managing multiple language versions, tools like FlatFilePro can simplify the process. They help maintain consistent formatting and metadata across editions while ensuring compliance with Amazon’s standards ^[3].

Publishing Tools for Multiple Languages

Managing multilingual book listings on Amazon can be challenging, but publishing tools simplify the process by ensuring consistency and meeting platform requirements across various formats and regions.

Kindle Previewer

Kindle Previewer is a helpful tool for authors working on eBooks in multiple languages. It lets you:

Preview how eBooks look in different languages
Check non-Latin script display
Test right-to-left (RTL) text formatting
Ensure Unicode compliance across Kindle devices

While Kindle Previewer is ideal for formatting individual eBooks, catalog management tools are better suited for publishers juggling multiple language editions.

Catalog Management Solutions

Specialized catalog management tools make multilingual publishing much easier. Take FlatFilePro, for example – it’s tailored for Amazon sellers and includes features like:

Feature	How It Helps Multilingual Publishing
Bulk Editing	Update multiple language versions of listings at once
Version Control	Track changes and keep translations consistent
International Marketplace Management	Sync listings across Amazon’s regional stores
Drag-and-Drop Variations	Simplify managing different language editions of the same book

These tools also address specific needs for different languages:

Western European Languages: Standard formats like PDF are generally sufficient ^[1].
Asian Languages: Require Unicode-compliant tools to handle complex character sets.
Indian Languages: Need specialized character support and precise formatting.

Integration with Amazon’s Systems

To make the process smoother, many tools integrate directly with Amazon’s systems. This includes features like:

Direct connection to Seller Central
Automated format validation
Real-time error detection
Compliance with marketplace-specific requirements

These integrations ensure your multilingual publishing efforts align with Amazon’s standards, saving time and reducing errors.

1. English

English is the most supported language on Amazon, offering a wide range of formatting options and reaching a global audience. It serves as the foundation for Amazon’s language support system, providing more flexibility than many other languages.

Format and Technical Requirements

Aspect	Details
Supported Formats	Documents (.doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt), eBooks (.epub, .mobi), Web (.html, .zip), Print (.pdf) ^[1]
Formatting	Unicode-compliant fonts, left-to-right text orientation
Device Compatibility	Consistent display across all platforms

Regional Support and Setup

English content enjoys broad marketplace support, including the United States (Amazon.com), United Kingdom (Amazon.co.uk), Australia, and India. To set up your content correctly, select "English" as the content language in KDP Bookshelf and ensure the language settings align with the written material ^[1].

Title Requirements and Metadata

When publishing English titles, follow Amazon’s guidelines and avoid these common mistakes ^[2]:

Ensure the title matches the book cover text exactly.
Keep it within the 200-character limit.
Avoid adding excessive keywords.
Do not include unauthorized references or HTML tags.

Formatting Best Practices

Use Unicode-compliant fonts for compatibility.
Check text flow and pagination to ensure consistency.
Verify that formatting displays correctly on all devices.

English’s extensive support makes it a strong choice for reaching a global audience. The next sections will examine how Amazon supports other major languages like Spanish and German.

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2. Spanish

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages globally, making it a major focus for Amazon’s multilingual publishing platform. The company provides full support for Spanish-language books in both eBook and print formats, catering to diverse Spanish-speaking markets around the world.

Format Support

For eBooks, Spanish-language titles can be uploaded in formats like ePub, MOBI, and HTML. Print books, however, require PDF files. Publishers need to ensure proper Spanish formatting, including accurate character display, to meet Amazon’s standards ^[1].

Publishing Requirements

When uploading Spanish-language books, it’s crucial to select the correct language in the KDP Bookshelf. This helps avoid file rejection and ensures the book is categorized correctly. Amazon also supports regional variations such as European Spanish (es_ES) and Latin American Spanish (es_419), allowing publishers to adapt content for different audiences ^[1]^[2].

Content Guidelines

To meet Amazon’s requirements for Spanish titles, publishers should follow these key points:

Title and subtitle combined must stay under 200 characters.
Ensure all metadata is consistently in Spanish.
Pay attention to regional language differences to better connect with specific audiences ^[2].

Management Tools

Tools like FlatFilePro can help publishers efficiently manage Spanish-language listings across Amazon’s various marketplaces. These tools ensure consistency and compliance with Amazon’s publishing guidelines ^[3].

Just as Spanish enjoys strong support, Amazon also provides extensive tools for other languages like German, ensuring content reaches a broad audience.

3. German

German is one of Amazon’s key languages for book publishing, highlighting its focus on serving major European markets. The platform supports both digital and print formats, catering to the large German-speaking audience.

Format and Language Requirements

Amazon accepts several formats for German publications: HTML, MOBI, and ePub for eBooks, and PDF for print books. Publishers must select the correct language in the KDP Bookshelf, follow a 200-character limit for titles and subtitles (a colon is automatically inserted), and account for unique German characters like umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the Eszett (ß) in both eBook and print formats ^[1]^[2].

Metadata and Discoverability

To improve visibility in Amazon’s German marketplace, ensure the following metadata elements are optimized:

Titles and descriptions written in German
Keywords targeted for German-speaking readers
Categories that match local browsing habits
Author bios and marketing content in German ^[2]

Accurate and consistent metadata in German helps with indexing and makes your book easier to find.

Management Tools and Optimization

FlatFilePro simplifies the process of managing German-language titles on Amazon. It addresses challenges like handling umlauts and meeting regional standards. Key features include:

Bulk editing for German metadata
Version control for updates
Tools for managing listings across multiple international marketplaces ^[3]

4. Japanese

Amazon’s publishing platform includes robust support for the Japanese language, catering to the Asian market with tools for both digital and print formats.

Format Support and Requirements

Amazon KDP uses the XDMF format, designed specifically for Japanese content. This format ensures proper display and formatting for Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana characters, meeting the unique needs of Japanese text ^[1].

Print and Digital Publishing

For print books in Japanese, publishers must use PDF files with embedded fonts, proper character support, and accurate text orientation. Digital publications, such as eBooks, require precise formatting to ensure compatibility across various devices ^[1].

Title and Subtitle Guidelines

Amazon has specific rules for Japanese book titles and subtitles:

Avoid overuse of keywords or repetitive phrases.
Do not include references to other titles or authors unless permitted.
Remove any HTML tags from titles.
Be aware that Amazon automatically adds a colon between the title and subtitle ^[2].

Management Tools

FlatFilePro helps streamline the publishing process for Japanese-language books. It ensures proper character encoding and consistent metadata across Amazon’s global marketplaces ^[3], making it easier to maintain high-quality listings.

With these tools and guidelines, Amazon strengthens its ability to support Japanese publishers, further solidifying its presence in the Asian market.

5. Hindi

Hindi is one of the most spoken languages globally, making it an important focus for Amazon’s digital publishing platform. Currently, Hindi content on Amazon KDP is limited to eBooks.

Format Support and Technical Requirements

Amazon KDP supports Hindi eBooks in several digital formats, including HTML, MOBI, ePub, Microsoft Word (.doc), Plain Text (.txt), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and Zipped HTML (.zip). Publishers need to select Hindi as the content language in the KDP Bookshelf and ensure text is oriented left-to-right to work seamlessly with Kindle devices ^[1]. However, eBook formatting for Hindi has minimal options for color customization ^[1].

Title and Metadata Guidelines

When publishing Hindi eBooks, keep these guidelines in mind:

Titles and subtitles combined must not exceed 200 characters.
Ensure proper character formatting for accurate display.
Avoid including unauthorized references to other books or authors ^[2].

Improving Discoverability

To make Hindi eBooks easier to find, publishers should:

Choose the right categories.
Use well-thought-out keywords.
Format metadata accurately.
Write clear and engaging content descriptions ^[2].

Management Tools

FlatFilePro can help publishers manage Hindi eBook listings by ensuring metadata is consistent and meets Amazon’s language-specific guidelines ^[3].

With the rising number of digital readers in India, Amazon’s support for Hindi offers publishers a strong opportunity to connect with this expanding audience.

Conclusion

Amazon has broadened its language support to cater to a worldwide audience. It now provides varying levels of support for key languages like English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Hindi across eBook and print formats ^[1]. Successfully navigating these options requires careful planning and the right tools.

The platform’s language support is divided into three main tiers:

Support Level	Languages
Full Support (eBook & Print)	English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese
eBook Only	Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil
Print Only	Polish, Ukrainian

For example, Hindi is available only in the eBook tier, while English is fully supported across both eBook and print formats. Publishing in multiple languages and formats can be challenging due to these differences, especially when dealing with various marketplaces.

Amazon offers royalties of up to 70% for multilingual book sales ^[5]. Its focus on expanding Indian language support highlights its efforts to reach a broader global audience. To succeed, publishers must pay attention to formatting requirements and metadata guidelines, as these directly affect a book’s visibility and sales potential in different markets.

Here are some tips for those publishing in multiple languages:

Format your book to meet specific language requirements ^[1].
Keep metadata consistent across all supported languages.
Follow Amazon’s character limits for titles and subtitles.
Develop strategies tailored to specific markets.
Stay updated on changes to language support and technical guidelines.

Amazon’s expanding language support system creates new opportunities for global publishers. By following formatting and metadata rules, publishers can boost their book’s visibility and earnings across a range of markets ^[1]^[5].

FAQs

What languages can you read on Kindle?

Kindle supports a wide range of languages, though compatibility depends on the format being used. Western languages like English, French, and German are fully supported, while Kindle also handles scripts such as right-to-left (RTL) languages and those with complex character sets. However, each language may require specific formats to display properly on Kindle devices and apps ^[1].

This broad compatibility allows readers to enjoy content in their preferred language and helps publishers connect with audiences worldwide. Amazon KDP provides tools and guidelines to assist publishers in creating content for various languages.

What languages are supported by Amazon KDP?

Amazon KDP supports a variety of languages, though the level of support depends on the format and type of publication. Western European languages like English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish are well-supported across both digital and print formats ^[1]. Other languages, such as Polish and Ukrainian, have unique format requirements, while Indian languages are currently limited to eBook publishing ^[5].

Here are some key points about KDP’s language support:

PDF formats are available for Western European and some regional languages.
Non-Latin scripts have specific formatting needs.
Certain languages are limited to digital publishing only.
Language choice may impose format restrictions ^[1].

"Currently, Amazon KDP does not support paperback publishing for Indian languages. Additionally, Indian language content may not display correctly on all Amazon and Kindle websites, apps, and emails. Therefore, it’s recommended to use English for book details like title and author name." ^[5]

Knowing these details helps publishers expand their reach while adhering to Amazon’s publishing standards.