Quick answer
An EPUB's title, author and language are stored as metadata in its package file. Reading apps use it for the name and author they show in your library. To edit EPUB metadata, open the file above, change the fields, and save. If the book has no language, add one: the EPUB standard requires it[1], and a missing language is a known cause of Send to Kindle error E999[4].
How to edit EPUB metadata
- Click Upload EPUB above and choose a DRM-free EPUB file.
- Change the title, the author (add or remove authors if needed) and the language.
- Optionally fill in the publisher and description.
- Click Save updated EPUB. On iPhone, tap Save or Open EPUB to save it to Files or share it to the Kindle app.
What each field changes
| Field | Where you see it | Required by EPUB? |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The book name in your Kindle, Kobo or Apple Books library | Yes[1] |
| Author | The name under the title, and sorting by author | No |
| Language | Not shown, but used by reading apps and by Send to Kindle | Yes[2] |
| Publisher, description | Book details screens in some reading apps | No |
When you rename an author, the editor also removes the old "file-as" sort name[3], so the book isn't sorted under the previous name. Fields you don't change are left exactly as they were.
Why Kindle shows the wrong title or author
- The metadata is wrong or empty. Files made with simple converters can carry a placeholder title, such as the file name, or no author at all.
- An old copy is still in your library. Delete it and send the edited file again.
- The cover is missing too? Use our EPUB cover changer and see how to fix missing Kindle covers.
Ready to send the fixed book? Follow how to send an EPUB to Kindle.
FAQ
Is this EPUB metadata editor free and private?
Yes. It is free, and the book is edited inside your browser. The file is never uploaded to a server.
Why does Send to Kindle fail with error E999?
One known cause is an EPUB with no language set. The EPUB standard requires a language, so add one here (for example en for English) and send the file again.
Will editing the metadata change my book's text or cover?
No. Only the title, author, language, publisher and description in the book's package file change. Chapters, images, fonts and the cover stay exactly as they were.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Open the page in Safari or Chrome, choose the EPUB from Files or Downloads, edit, and save the updated file.
Can I edit a book I bought from a store?
Not if it has DRM. Store-bought books are usually DRM-protected, and the editor only works with DRM-free EPUB files.
What language code should I use?
Use a short code for the language the book is written in: en for English, es for Spanish, pt-BR for Brazilian Portuguese, fr for French, de for German.