Reduce margins and normalize line spacing

mariowarner · 04-25-2019, 01:19 PM

Hi guys! Is it somehow possible to reduce the margins more than what's available in the kindle settings? I've got some epub books which I convert to kfx (used to convert to azw) with Calibre. I tried a few different methods but to no avail...

Also I need to switch the line spacing everytime I change a book as the option is systemwide... If there is a way to set the line spacing when I convert the books it would be awesome!

JSWolf · 04-25-2019, 02:02 PM

Yes there is a way to reduce the margins. It works with KF8. But I cannot say if it works with KFX.

Code:

html {
  margin-right: -45px;
  margin-left: -45px;
}

Put that at the top of the CSS and it will reduce the margins. -45px is for a 6" 300dpi screen. Feel free to adjust as needed.

You do have to remove the DRM from KF8 eBooks that have DRM.

odamizu · 04-25-2019, 02:31 PM

I don't know about KFX, but for KF8, I add a media query so that it doesn't affect epub renderering engines.

Code:

@media amzn-kf8 {
	html {margin-left: -36px; margin-right: -36px; }
	}

Also, more specific margin-left and margin-right rules will override the above. So you need to look for and revise/delete things like:

Code:

p.para {margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0}
p.txt {margin:0}

This can get tedious.

To normalize line-height, I delete most, if not all, line-height rules to allow the Kindle to set the line-height per user settings.

ETA: Updated this post using <html> instead of . When I first started playing with negative margins, was the only thing that worked for me, but now <html> is working, not sure what changed. But I'm happy about it!

mariowarner · 04-25-2019, 02:59 PM

Thanks! I already tried something similar, but with kfx files, and it didn't work. Will retry with kf8!

HarryT · 04-25-2019, 03:29 PM

Moved to the “Kindle Formats” forum.

mariowarner · 04-25-2019, 03:53 PM

Could you make a quick walkthrough? I opened Calibre, right click on a book, edit book, then I'm confronted with a lot of different File browser tabs. Which one do I have to edit to add the code, look for the rules that could override the code and delete the line-height?

It would be really appreciated

Thanks!

odamizu · 04-25-2019, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariowarner

Could you make a quick walkthrough? I opened Calibre, right click on a book, edit book, then I'm confronted with a lot of different File browser tabs. Which one do I have to edit to add the code, look for the rules that could override the code and delete the line-height?

It would be really appreciated

Thanks!

Look for the .css file under File Browser > Styles
Go to the bottom of the file and add: @media amzn-kf8 {html {margin-left: -36px; margin-right: -36px; }} (You can pick whatever negative value you prefer, doesn't have to be -36px)

From here it can get tricky if you're not familiar with css due to all the variables, but you can try this as a starting point:
Search for "margin-left:" and "margin-right:" (e.g., "margin-left: 0" or "margin-right: 1em", etc.) If the value is 0, 0%, 0em, or any variation of 0, delete the whole rule (e.g., delete "margin-left: 0;"). If the value is a number, you should probably leave it, but this is where understanding css helps.
Search for "margin:" This can take many forms, e.g., "margin: 0" or "margin: 0 5px" or "margin: 0em 5px 0em 5px", etc. If this rule turns up, it's best to learn some css to figure out how to revise it to your liking.
Search for @page (e.g., @page {margin: 5px;} ) and delete the whole rule
For line-height, search for "line-height:" (e.g., line-height: 1em) and delete the whole rule

Good luck!

theducks · 04-26-2019, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariowarner

Could you make a quick walkthrough? I opened Calibre, right click on a book, edit book, then I'm confronted with a lot of different File browser tabs. Which one do I have to edit to add the code, look for the rules that could override the code and delete the line-height?

It would be really appreciated

Thanks!

The CSS is the most proper place (in each file, and

paragraph inline )

line-height: 1.2 (or 120%) is a traditional standard
There are occasions to use a different number, but those, IMHO, should be exceptions (eg 2 line chapter titles), bot the basic body of the work.

Notjohn · 05-02-2019, 03:21 PM

>line-height: 1.2 (or 120%) is a traditional standard

And isn't that the default in Kindle?

JSWolf · 05-02-2019, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

I don't know about KFX, but for KF8, I have not found margin rules to work with <html> or <body>. Instead, I use and add a media query so that it doesn't affect epub renderering engines.

Code:

@media amzn-kf8 {
	p {margin-left: -36px; margin-right: -36px; }
	}

Also, more specific margin-left and margin-right rules will override the above. So you need to look for and revise/delete things like:

Code:

p.para {margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0}
p.txt {margin:0}

This can get tedious.

To normalize line-height, I delete most, if not all, line-height rules to allow the Kindle to set the line-height per user settings.

The negative left/right margins of -45px in HTML works. I have seen it on a PW3.

JSWolf · 05-02-2019, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notjohn

>line-height: 1.2 (or 120%) is a traditional standard

And isn't that the default in Kindle?

Yes. That's why a line-hight is not needed. It's not even needed in an ePub.

odamizu · 05-02-2019, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The negative left/right margins of -45px in HTML works. I have seen it on a PW3.

Interesting. It's been a while, but the last time I tried it in <html> and <body> it didn't work for me. I had to resort to . Maybe something has changed in the Kindle rendering software since then. When I get a chance, I will try again.

As for -45px, I'm sure that works, too. I just use -36px as a matter of personal preference.

mariowarner · 05-03-2019, 09:27 AM

Hi guys and girls! So if I understand this, changing the line height in the CSS won't affect what's displayed on the kindle? Is the font size also default? It seemed to me that I had to change the settings between the books as the feel wasn't the same... Will have to check back to see if it's not my brain plalying tricks hehe!

Also I tried the 2 different methods for the margins, and only the <html> worked for me as the lines would disappear after saving the editor. Weird he?

Also thanks to all of you for taking the time to explain, I'm really grateful for that!

Hitch · 05-03-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariowarner

Hi guys and girls! So if I understand this, changing the line height in the CSS won't affect what's displayed on the kindle? Is the font size also default? It seemed to me that I had to change the settings between the books as the feel wasn't the same... Will have to check back to see if it's not my brain plalying tricks hehe!

Also I tried the 2 different methods for the margins, and only the <html> worked for me as the lines would disappear after saving the editor. Weird he?

Also thanks to all of you for taking the time to explain, I'm really grateful for that!

Are you messing with them for your own reading pleasure, or are you making production books for people to buy on Amazon? That affects the answer.

Hitch

odamizu · 05-04-2019, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariowarner

... only the <html> worked for me as the lines would disappear after saving the editor. Weird he?

I just tried <html> and it's working for me, too! Not sure what changed from the last time I tried it (years ago). Strangely, <body> still doesn't work. If anyone has any theories on why this is, I'd be really interested to learn this.

@mariowarner: What does this mean: "the lines would disappear after saving the editor"? (I use Sigil rather than Calibre, so maybe it's a Calibre thing?)

04-25-2019, 01:19 PM	#1
mariowarner Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2018 Device: kindle	Reduce margins and normalize line spacing Hi guys! Is it somehow possible to reduce the margins more than what's available in the kindle settings? I've got some epub books which I convert to kfx (used to convert to azw) with Calibre. I tried a few different methods but to no avail... Also I need to switch the line spacing everytime I change a book as the option is systemwide... If there is a way to set the line spacing when I convert the books it would be awesome!

04-25-2019, 02:02 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,612 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Yes there is a way to reduce the margins. It works with KF8. But I cannot say if it works with KFX. Code: html { margin-right: -45px; margin-left: -45px; } Put that at the top of the CSS and it will reduce the margins. -45px is for a 6" 300dpi screen. Feel free to adjust as needed. You do have to remove the DRM from KF8 eBooks that have DRM.

04-25-2019, 02:31 PM	#3
odamizu just an egg Posts: 1,819 Karma: 6769540 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: Kindle, iOS	I don't know about KFX, but for KF8, I add a media query so that it doesn't affect epub renderering engines. Code: @media amzn-kf8 { html {margin-left: -36px; margin-right: -36px; } } Also, more specific margin-left and margin-right rules will override the above. So you need to look for and revise/delete things like: Code: p.para {margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0} p.txt {margin:0} This can get tedious. To normalize line-height, I delete most, if not all, line-height rules to allow the Kindle to set the line-height per user settings. ETA: Updated this post using <html> instead of <p>. When I first started playing with negative margins, <p> was the only thing that worked for me, but now <html> is working, not sure what changed. But I'm happy about it! Last edited by odamizu; 08-27-2019 at 12:49 AM. Reason: updated info

04-25-2019, 02:59 PM	#4
mariowarner Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2018 Device: kindle	Thanks! I already tried something similar, but with kfx files, and it didn't work. Will retry with kf8! Last edited by mariowarner; 04-25-2019 at 03:53 PM.

05-03-2019, 09:27 AM	#13
mariowarner Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2018 Device: kindle	Hi guys and girls! So if I understand this, changing the line height in the CSS won't affect what's displayed on the kindle? Is the font size also default? It seemed to me that I had to change the settings between the books as the feel wasn't the same... Will have to check back to see if it's not my brain plalying tricks hehe! Also I tried the 2 different methods for the margins, and only the <html> worked for me as the <p> lines would disappear after saving the editor. Weird he? Also thanks to all of you for taking the time to explain, I'm really grateful for that!

04-25-2019, 03:29 PM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Moved to the “Kindle Formats” forum.

04-25-2019, 03:53 PM	#6
mariowarner Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2018 Device: kindle	Could you make a quick walkthrough? I opened Calibre, right click on a book, edit book, then I'm confronted with a lot of different File browser tabs. Which one do I have to edit to add the code, look for the rules that could override the code and delete the line-height? It would be really appreciated Thanks!

05-02-2019, 03:21 PM	#9
Notjohn mostly an observer Posts: 1,519 Karma: 987654 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: Kindle	>line-height: 1.2 (or 120%) is a traditional standard And isn't that the default in Kindle?

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