Format support by device[edit]
The first generation Kindle can read only unprotected Mobipocket files (MOBI, PRC), plain text files (TXT), Topaz format books (TPZ), and Amazon's AZW format.

The Kindle 2 added native PDF capability with the Version 2.3 firmware upgrade.[26] Earlier versions could not generally read PDF files, but Amazon provided "experimental" conversion to the native AZW format,[103] with the caveat that not all PDFs may format correctly.[104] The Kindle 2 added the ability to read the Audible Enhanced (AAX) format, but dropped the ability to read Audible versions 2 and 3. The Kindle 2 can also display HTML files stored on the unit.

The fourth/fifth generation Kindles, Kindle Touch, Kindle Touch 3G, and Kindle Paperwhite can display AZW, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, and PRC files natively. HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP are usable through conversion. The Touch and Touch 3G can also play Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX) and MP3 files.[105] Amazon indicated in 2012 that the fourth generation Kindles will be updated to support the KF8 format