Free ebooks are easy to find legally on public domain libraries, which offer classic books that are out of copyright, and on sites where authors share their own books for free. Public domain sites are best for classics in tidy formats, while author-led sites are better for modern fiction and nonfiction. Pick the type of book first, then the site.
Reading on a phone, tablet or e-reader is easy, but finding books you can download without a second thought is a different story. Plenty of sites look free and turn out to be dodgy copies.
So here are ten legal places to get free ebooks, in no particular order and sorted alphabetically. Several host public domain classics, a few share modern books that authors have chosen to give away, and one serves readers with print disabilities.
Most of them offer the formats you'll need, such as EPUB for most e-readers and PDF for reading on a laptop. Check the format before you download, because a book in the wrong format is a frustrating start to a reading session.
There's also a copyright rule worth knowing before you fill your device with classics. It's explained in the next section, and it matters most if you're reading from outside the United States.
Free ebook sites compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages describe free access, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free access often comes with limits, so check what's included before you rely on it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookshare | Accessible ebook library | Readers with print disabilities | Yes |
| Free-eBooks.net | Ebook download site | Modern books shared by their authors | Yes |
| Global Grey | Public domain ebook site | Classic books with clean formatting | Yes |
| ManyBooks | Ebook discovery site | Browsing free books by genre | Yes |
| Obooko | Ebook download site | Free novels and textbooks | Yes |
| Open Library | Digital lending library | Borrowing digital copies of books | Yes |
| Planet eBook | Classic literature site | Well-known classic novels | Yes |
| Project Gutenberg | Public domain library | The biggest collection of classics | Yes |
| Standard Ebooks | Volunteer ebook project | Carefully produced classic ebooks | Yes |
| Wikisource | Free online library | Historic texts, poems and documents | Yes |
Ten legal sites for free ebooks
Bookshare
Best for: Readers with dyslexia, low vision or other print disabilities who need accessible ebooks and a reading app.
Free-eBooks.net
Best for: Readers who enjoy discovering modern books that authors have chosen to share for free.
Global Grey
Best for: Book lovers who want classic books in clean, nicely formatted files with no account to set up.
ManyBooks
Best for: Readers who like to browse free books by genre and find something new to start tonight.
Obooko
Best for: Readers looking for free novels and textbooks to read online or download for an e-reader.
Open Library
Best for: Readers who want to borrow digital copies of books, not just read old classics.
Planet eBook
Best for: Students and readers who want famous classic novels in a format that reads well on any device.
Project Gutenberg
Best for: Anyone who wants the widest choice of public domain classics in several download formats.
Standard Ebooks
Best for: Readers who care about typography and want classics that look as good as a printed book.
Wikisource
Best for: Researchers and students who need historic texts, poems and documents rather than novels.
Why a free classic isn't free everywhere
Project Gutenberg's own permissions page says the vast majority of its ebooks are in the public domain in the US, and that it follows United States copyright law. The same page warns that not all items that are public domain in the US are public domain in other countries, and vice versa.
So if you're reading in the UK, Canada or Australia, a book that's free to download from a US site may still be under copyright where you are, especially for authors who died more recently. For most readers it's a small detail, but it's worth knowing before you share a file or reuse the text.
What to check before you download an ebook
- Format: EPUB suits most e-readers, PDF suits laptops, and some sites offer Kindle files.
- Account: some sites need one, others let you download straight away.
- Rights: public domain books are free to reuse, author-shared books may not be.
- Quality: volunteer editions vary, so open a sample page first.
- Safety: stick to known sites and avoid pop-ups that push extra downloads.
Putting a free ebook on your e-reader
- Choose a book and download it in the format your device reads.
- Open the file on your phone or tablet to check it looks right.
- Send it to your e-reader with its app, email address or cable.
- Add it to a collection so you can find it again quickly.
- Delete files you've finished to keep the library tidy.
Turning a love of reading into something more
Avid readers often make great proofreaders, because they spot a clumsy sentence a mile off. If that sounds like you, here's what proofreading jobs pay and how people get started.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
And if some of your free books arrive as PDFs that you'd like to edit or annotate, my guide on how to convert a PDF to a Google Doc walks you through it.
Do you make ebook sites or reading apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My honest take on free ebooks
If you love the classics, you'll never run out of free books, and the volunteer projects on this list produce editions that are a pleasure to read.
For newer books, a lending library is the way to go. And if a site promises a brand new bestseller for free, walk away, because that's almost always a pirated copy that can carry nasty surprises.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download free ebooks legally?
Public domain libraries and sites where authors share their own books are legal places to download free ebooks.
Are free ebook sites safe?
The sites on this list are well known. Avoid sites that offer new bestsellers for free or push extra downloads.
What format do I need for my e-reader?
Most e-readers use EPUB. Some devices also accept Kindle formats, and PDF works on laptops.
Can I read free ebooks on a Kindle?
Yes. Many sites offer Kindle-friendly files, or you can send a compatible file to your device.
Are free classic ebooks free in every country?
Not always. Copyright terms differ, so a book that's public domain in the US may still be protected elsewhere.
Do I need an account to download free ebooks?
Some sites need one and some don't. A few let you download with no account at all.
Can I borrow new ebooks for free?
Yes, through lending libraries and your local library's app.
Are there free ebooks for students?
Yes. Several sites offer classics and textbooks that students can use for free.
Can I print a free ebook?
Public domain books can usually be printed. Author-shared books may come with their own rules, so check first.
What are accessible ebooks?
They're ebooks designed for readers with print disabilities, with features like text-to-speech and adjustable text.
Why do some free ebooks look messy?
Some are scanned or converted automatically. Volunteer projects that edit each book usually look much cleaner.
How do I avoid pirated ebooks?
Stick to known sites and be wary of any site offering brand new releases for free.
