Fixed Layout Epub Reader

Mich06 · 06-20-2026, 01:30 PM

I recently downloaded an ePub that is clearly in “Fixed Layout,” and I know that Calibre can't display it properly.
The result is indeed terrible (truncated lines, misaligned text, random font sizes, etc.).

I downloaded a free Microsoft app from their store called ePub File Reader, which displays the file perfectly. The reading experience is just as flawless as if the file were a perfectly formatted PDF.

My questions:

1. Do you know of a way to use this app to at least convert this ePub to a PDF? Apparently, it doesn’t allow exporting.

2. Is there a Calibre plugin that could do the same job as this app, perhaps using the same type of code, or even directly using the Microsoft app as a source?

3. Are there any plans to integrate support for reading Fixed Layout ePubs (which, unfortunately, are becoming more and more common) into Calibre? Or, at the very least, to integrate flawless conversion of these files to PDF into Calibre?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

theducks · 06-20-2026, 01:56 PM

You can use Calibre Open With to make Calibre use the app to read. (calibre does not mark epub3 different from epub2, so the Preferences: behavior: use internal viewer (Not) setting, won't work.

BetterRed · 06-20-2026, 07:43 PM

I tag the book as 'fixed format', and show an icon if that tag is present.

When I see that icon I know to use EPUB Open With->Infogrid's Azardi.

BR

Mich06 · 06-20-2026, 08:21 PM

Well, thanks. So it could at least be seen from within calibre using Open with..., but no automation available based on the format.
I'll try that Azardi viewer to see if there's any conversion options available.

If anybody else have any clue to my 3 questions, i'll be glad to hear from you.

kovidgoyal · 06-20-2026, 10:03 PM

No plans to support fixed layout epub in any form which IMO is a bit silly given PDF already exists.

Mich06 · 06-20-2026, 10:22 PM

Thanks for your answer, Kovid. I completely agree with you. Fixed-layout Epubs should all be PDFs. This format offers no real benefit.

BUT that’s exactly my problem: how can I properly convert a fixed-layout EPUB into a valid PDF when the original format isn’t available as a PDF? I’ve looked everywhere and haven’t found anything.

Since it seems there are now simple Windows apps (Azardi and MS ePub File Reader, for instance) that display these pesky fixed-layout ePubs perfectly, I was wondering if it would be that difficult, for example, to redirect the display output to a virtual PDF printer to finally achieve a conversion. But these applications don’t do that.

So I’m turning to the Calibre community to see if a simple conversion solution like this is possible...

JSWolf · Yesterday, 05:41 AM

Can fixed-layout ePub be set to scale depending on the screen size?

Mich06 · Yesterday, 12:13 PM

Well, in MS Epub Reader, when you resize the window, everything is visually scaled. Just like a pdf.
As for going inside the file to tweak the gigantic mess of CSS code, there's no general parameter to do that, as far as I know.

DNSB · Yesterday, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can fixed-layout ePub be set to scale depending on the screen size?

The viewport should be scaled to the screen though the aspect ratio will be maintained. At least, that is the behaviour I see on the FLO ePubs I've tested on my Kobo ereaders & apps, Thorium and Apple Books.

JSWolf · Yesterday, 04:31 PM

Thanks. I've never viewed a fixed layout ePub other then Apple's Books.

PeterT · Yesterday, 06:42 PM

I've no experience with Fixed Layout but from the Kobo ePubSpec repository on GitHub I see

Quote:

To trigger the Kobo WebKit for a Fixed Layout title, change the extension to .fxl.kepub.Epub

06-20-2026, 01:30 PM	#1
Mich06 Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 32 GB	Fixed Layout Epub Reader I recently downloaded an ePub that is clearly in “Fixed Layout,” and I know that Calibre can't display it properly. The result is indeed terrible (truncated lines, misaligned text, random font sizes, etc.). I downloaded a free Microsoft app from their store called ePub File Reader, which displays the file perfectly. The reading experience is just as flawless as if the file were a perfectly formatted PDF. My questions: 1. Do you know of a way to use this app to at least convert this ePub to a PDF? Apparently, it doesn’t allow exporting. 2. Is there a Calibre plugin that could do the same job as this app, perhaps using the same type of code, or even directly using the Microsoft app as a source? 3. Are there any plans to integrate support for reading Fixed Layout ePubs (which, unfortunately, are becoming more and more common) into Calibre? Or, at the very least, to integrate flawless conversion of these files to PDF into Calibre? Thank you in advance for your answers.

Yesterday, 12:13 PM	#8
Mich06 Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 32 GB	Well, in MS Epub Reader, when you resize the window, everything is visually scaled. Just like a pdf. As for going inside the file to tweak the gigantic mess of CSS code, there's no general parameter to do that, as far as I know. Last edited by Mich06; Yesterday at 12:17 PM.

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06-20-2026, 01:56 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,823 Karma: 64144480 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	You can use Calibre Open With to make Calibre use the app to read. (calibre does not mark epub3 different from epub2, so the Preferences: behavior: use internal viewer (Not) setting, won't work.

06-20-2026, 07:43 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,712 Karma: 33014156 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I tag the book as 'fixed format', and show an icon if that tag is present. When I see that icon I know to use EPUB Open With->Infogrid's Azardi. BR

06-20-2026, 08:21 PM	#4
Mich06 Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 32 GB	Well, thanks. So it could at least be seen from within calibre using Open with..., but no automation available based on the format. I'll try that Azardi viewer to see if there's any conversion options available. If anybody else have any clue to my 3 questions, i'll be glad to hear from you.

06-20-2026, 10:03 PM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,328 Karma: 29630876 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No plans to support fixed layout epub in any form which IMO is a bit silly given PDF already exists.

06-20-2026, 10:22 PM	#6
Mich06 Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2020 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 32 GB	Thanks for your answer, Kovid. I completely agree with you. Fixed-layout Epubs should all be PDFs. This format offers no real benefit. BUT that’s exactly my problem: how can I properly convert a fixed-layout EPUB into a valid PDF when the original format isn’t available as a PDF? I’ve looked everywhere and haven’t found anything. Since it seems there are now simple Windows apps (Azardi and MS ePub File Reader, for instance) that display these pesky fixed-layout ePubs perfectly, I was wondering if it would be that difficult, for example, to redirect the display output to a virtual PDF printer to finally achieve a conversion. But these applications don’t do that. So I’m turning to the Calibre community to see if a simple conversion solution like this is possible...

Yesterday, 05:41 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,857 Karma: 153649587 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Can fixed-layout ePub be set to scale depending on the screen size?

Yesterday, 04:31 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,857 Karma: 153649587 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Thanks. I've never viewed a fixed layout ePub other then Apple's Books.