PDF to FB2 converts a text-based PDF into a FictionBook 2.0 eBook — a single XML file with title, author, language, genre, sections and paragraphs. Add the PDF from your device, Google Drive or Dropbox, set the metadata, choose whether to split chapters by page, then download the .fb2 file. It opens in FBReader, Cool Reader, AlReader, Moon+ Reader, Calibre, PocketBook and most e-readers. Everything runs in your browser, so the PDF never leaves your device. Note: scanned or image-only PDFs need OCR first, and images/tables are flattened to text.
What is a PDF to FB2 converter?
A PDF to FB2 converter turns a fixed-layout PDF into a reflowable eBook in the FictionBook 2.0 format. The PDF locks every character to a fixed position on a page, which is fine for printing but painful on a phone. FB2 stores the book as an XML tree of sections and paragraphs, so the reader can choose font size, line spacing and theme without breaking the layout.
FB2 has a loyal following in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and elsewhere, and among readers who want a simple, self-contained eBook file. Unlike EPUB, which is a ZIP package of many files, FB2 is a single XML document. That means one file per book, easy to copy, easy to back up, easy to send by email. Readers like FBReader and Cool Reader have supported it for two decades.
The output of this tool follows the FictionBook 2.0 schema. The tool uses pdf.js to read the PDF and JavaScript to build the XML. For background, see the FictionBook Wikipedia page.
How to convert PDF to FB2 in 5 steps
The process is short and needs no account. Follow these steps and the first FB2 will be ready in a couple of minutes.
- Add your PDFDrag a text-based PDF onto the upload card, click Browse, or import directly from Google Drive or Dropbox. The tool reads the file inside your browser using pdf.js.
- Fill in book metadataSet the book title, author first and last name, language and genre. These become the FB2 description block that readers use in their libraries.
- Choose chapter optionsDecide whether headings are detected from font size, and whether the tool splits chapters per page. Both options are on by default and give a readable structure.
- Convert and previewClick Convert to FB2. The tool extracts text, groups it into paragraphs, and builds a valid FictionBook 2.0 XML file. Preview the eBook or the raw XML before downloading.
- Download and readPress Download FB2 to save the .fb2 file. Open it in Calibre, FBReader, Cool Reader, Moon+ Reader, AlReader, PocketBook, or any FB2-aware app and reader.
Extraction speed depends on page count and text density. A 200-page novel usually finishes in under a minute. Very large or complex PDFs may take longer because each page is read and reflowed individually.
Everything the converter can do
| Setting | Options | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Book title | Text | Sets the FB2 book-title in the description block. |
| Author first / last name | Optional text | Sets the FB2 author in the description block. |
| Language | 10 options | Sets the dc:lang field used by readers and libraries. |
| Genre | 10 options | Sets the FB2 genre tag — used for shelf sorting and library filters. |
| Detect headings | On / off | Uses median font height to promote large short lines into <subtitle> tags. |
| Split chapters by page | On / off | Each page that starts with a heading becomes its own FB2 <section>. |
| Preview / Raw XML tabs | Live | See the eBook as it will look, or inspect the raw FB2 XML. |
| Import sources | Device, Google Drive, Dropbox, clipboard | Loads the PDF without leaving the browser. |
Why convert PDF to FB2?
FB2 exists because e-readers needed a simple, portable format long before EPUB became the standard. It offers a few practical advantages over other formats:
Single XML file
Unlike EPUB, which is a ZIP of many files, FB2 is one XML document. That makes backup, transfer and archiving trivial — no missing manifest, no broken spine.
Reflowable, lightweight
The reader picks the font, size, spacing and theme. The file itself carries no layout decisions, so it opens instantly even on old e-readers.
Wide reader support
FBReader, Cool Reader, AlReader, Moon+ Reader, Calibre and PocketBook have read FB2 for years. Many Russian and Eastern European apps use it as a first-class format.
Honest limit: this tool flattens complex layouts. Images, tables, footnotes and multi-column magazines come out as plain paragraphs — FB2 is a text-first format and fixed-position elements do not reflow cleanly. If you need images and tables preserved, try PDF to Word or PDF to HTML instead.
Text-based vs scanned PDFs
PDFs come in two broad types, and only one of them works here.
Text-based PDFs
Created by Word, Google Docs, LaTeX or a publisher. They contain a real text layer that can be selected, copied and extracted. These convert perfectly.
Scanned PDFs
Created by a scanner or a phone camera. Each page is a picture with no text layer. Selecting text does nothing. These need OCR first.
Quick test
Open the PDF and try to select a sentence with your mouse. If the text highlights, it has a text layer and this tool will read it. If nothing highlights, it is scanned.
Honest limit: OCR is not included in this tool. OCR engines add tens of megabytes and take much longer, so they belong in a dedicated workflow. If you have a scanned book, run it through an OCR tool first, save the result as a text-based PDF, then come back here.
Your PDF stays private
Everything happens in your browser. The PDF is loaded with pdf.js, the text is extracted page by page, and the FB2 XML is assembled in JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded, logged or stored. When you close the tab, the file is gone from memory.
- Local processing. Text extraction and FB2 generation both run on your device, so confidential documents never leave your computer or phone.
- Direct cloud downloads. When you import from Google Drive or Dropbox, your browser fetches the file straight from that provider after you grant access.
- No account needed. You can convert without signing in. Read our privacy policy for details about the site itself.
Tips for better FB2s
- Check for a text layer first. Select a line with your mouse. If it highlights, the PDF will work.
- Fill in the metadata. Title and author show up in the reader's library; fill them so you can find the book later.
- Try Detect headings off first. If your PDF uses uniform typography, heading detection may produce false positives. Turn it off to get plain paragraphs.
- Use Split chapters for navigation. Each page with a heading becomes a section you can jump to.
- Preview the raw XML. The Raw XML tab shows the FB2 structure. If it looks sensible, the file will open in every reader.
- Compress the source PDF. Smaller PDFs convert faster. Run them through our Compress PDF tool first.
Common problems and quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| FB2 is nearly empty | Scanned PDF with no text layer | Run it through an OCR tool first, then convert. |
| Too many sections | Headings detected on every page | Turn off Split chapters by page, or turn off Detect headings. |
| Paragraphs are jumbled | Multi-column PDF | FB2 reflows to single-column text; use PDF to HTML or PDF to Word for column-heavy layouts. |
| Reader says the file is invalid | Reader predates FB2 2.0 | Open in FBReader, Cool Reader, AlReader, Moon+ Reader or Calibre. The file follows the FB2 2.0 schema. |
| Images missing | FB2 is a text-first format | Convert to EPUB or Word if you need images preserved. |
| Cloud import fails | The sign-in window was blocked | Allow pop-ups for this site, then press the Drive or Dropbox button again. |
FB2 readers that open the output
The output follows the FB2 2.0 schema and opens in every major reader.
Calibre
Opens, previews and converts FB2 on Windows, macOS and Linux. The reference tool for eBook management.
FBReader
The most popular FB2 reader on Android and iOS. Light, fast, with themes and night mode.
Cool Reader
Long-time FB2 reader with strong typography control. Available on Android and Windows.
Moon+ Reader
Android reader with FB2, EPUB, MOBI and PDF support, plus strong customisation.
PocketBook
Hardware e-readers that open FB2 natively — no conversion needed.
AlReader
Windows and Android FB2 reader with a clean, book-like layout.
Import from Drive and Dropbox, then share
You do not need to download the PDF to your phone first. The upload card includes Google Drive and Dropbox buttons, and the editor toolbar repeats them. The provider opens its own file picker, you select the PDF, and the tool downloads it into the page with a live progress bar.
After conversion, the share panel appears under the download button. You can post a link to the tool on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, LinkedIn or Telegram, send it by email, or copy the link. On phones and tablets that support the Web Share API, the Share FB2 file button opens the system share sheet with the eBook attached.
Related PDF tools
These pair naturally with PDF to FB2 and are all free.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PDF to FB2 converter free?
Does the tool upload my PDF to a server?
Can I import PDFs from Google Drive or Dropbox?
What is FB2?
What kind of PDFs work with this tool?
Does it support OCR for scanned PDFs?
What does "Detect headings" do?
What does "Split chapters by page" do?
Will images, tables and footnotes be preserved?
Can I convert only specific pages?
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Which readers open FB2 files?
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