The wide range of ebook formats currently available can easily confuse consumers. What matters are the ones that will work on your reading device/s. Another criteria that you can consider would be the number of publishers that use the format or the range of books available in that format. Here is a list and brief descriptions of all or almost all eBook formats.
1. AZW
AZW is Amazon’s proprietary format developed for DRM-protected and not-protected Kindle books. It is based on MOBI format, but it uses a different serial number.
2. PDF
Created by Adobe, PDF (Portable Document Format) is one of the most commonly used file formats on the Internet as the files can be easily viewed from any computer/eReader platform. PDF is usually used to create ebooks as well as brochures and product manuals.
3. BBeB
BBeB (BroadBand eBook) is a proprietary format developed for Sony eReaders. A BBeB files come with .lrs, .lrf, or .lrx extension.
4. ePub
Developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum, ePub is an open book format that is based on XHTML and XML. ePub is now considered the industry standard.
5. FB2
FB2 (Fiction Book version 2) is the format used by FictionBook files. It is supported by several free eReaders also, including AlReader, FBReader, and HaaliReader.
6. HTML
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the primary format used by Internet websites.
7. CHM
CHM (Compressed HTML) is the proprietary format used primarily for online Help and reference documents.
8. IMP
IMP (Internet Messaging Program) is file format developed primarily to serve as an intermediary between a web browser and a mail server. It is supported by a number of ebook readers including REB 1200 and eBookwise-1150.
9. DOC
DOC can refer to either of the following documents: (a) Microsoft Word documents (filename extension is .doc), or (b) PalmOS ebooks (alternately referred to as DOC, Aportis DOC, PalmDoc, or PalmDOC).
10. MOBI
MOBI is an Open eBook-based format developed for MobiPocket Reader. MOBI files, whether DRM protected or non-DRM, may come with .mobi or .prc extension.
11. PRC
PRC (Palm Resource Compiler) is used for PalmOS handheld devices.
12. Plain Text
Plain text refers to textual content with little processing involved. It supports English and a few Western languages only. It uses the file extension .txt.
13. RTF
Developed by Microsoft, RTF (Rich Text Format) is a cross-platform format that will work any processor or computing system. Files usually come with .rtf extension.
14. RB
RB (RealBasic) files have .rb extension. It is the file format used by Rocket eBook and REB 110.
15. LIT
Another file format developed by Microsoft, LIT files exclusively work on Microsoft Reader. However, non-Microsoft eBook Readers such as Lexcycle Stanza can also display unprotected LIT files.
16. PDB
PDB is a file format used by eReader, a free ebook reader app that displays Palm Digital Media ebooks.
17. LBR
LBR is the file format created for Libris, a Java-based ebook reader application for cellphones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. Libris files use two types of extensions: .lbr and .bin.
18. STK
STK refers to the proprietary format used by STAReBook, a Chinese eReader that shares similar hardware with Cybook Gen3.
19. WOLF
WOLF is a proprietary format developed by the Taiwanese firm Jinke for exclusive use by their Hanlin eReaders.
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