Best AZW3 Readers, Open AZW3 File on PC/Mac

AZW3 is a file extension exclusively for Kindle eBooks that are mainly downloaded via the “Manage Content and Devices” page in Amazon website. Compared with the old Kindle Mobi format, AZW3 is more advanced by supporting more enhanced styles, layouts and fonts. Since it’s a Kindle format, it’s supported by Kindle devices only. Is there any other way to open an AZW3 file if we don’t a Kindle device? Of course. The reason why I write this article is to share with you some AZW3 readers that can open AZW3 files on Windows and Mac.

1. Kindle for PC/Mac Desktop App

Kindle for PC/Mac is the official app released by Amazon for us to read Kindle books. It can not only open our purchased Kindle books, but also the AZW3 files we’ve downloaded from the Amazon website or any other places. Just right-click the AZW3 file, and choose Open with — Kindle.

Then the AZW3 file will be added to your Kindle desktop app and automatically opened.

Please note that the Kindle desktop app can only open unlocked AZW3 files. If your AZW3 files are locked, you won’t be able to open them like this:

For such Kindle AZW3 files, it’s suggested directly downloading them from the Kindle desktop app itself, not from the Amazon website. You know all our purchased Kindle books are accessible in the Kindle app once we log in by using the Amazon account.

2. Calibre

Calibre is a multi-functional ebook tool for us to read, manage, and convert ebooks. A lot of ebook formats are supported by Calibre including AZW3 files. Just right-click the .azw3 file, and select Open with —The Calibre e-book viewer.

Then the AZW3 file will be opened in Calibre immediately.