Project Gutenberg: Download 75,000+ Free Ebooks Legally (2026 Guide)

Want thousands of free books, legally? Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library on the internet, started by Michael Hart in 1971, and it now offers more than 75,000 free ebooks, from Shakespeare and Jane Austen to Sherlock Holmes and Indian classics. Every book is in the public domain in the United States, and you can read them online or download them to your Kindle, phone or e-reader. Here is how to use Project Gutenberg in 2026.

Quick answer: Go to gutenberg.org, search by title or author, and download the EPUB version for most e-readers and phones, the Kindle version for Amazon Kindle, or read it in your browser. No account is needed and there are no ads. Check your own country’s copyright laws, since the books are public domain in the US but some may still be under copyright elsewhere.

What is Project Gutenberg?

Project Gutenberg is a volunteer-run library that digitises and proofreads books whose US copyright has expired. Its mission is to encourage the creation and distribution of free ebooks. Most titles were published before 1930, so you will find classic novels, poetry, history, philosophy, science and children’s books, in English and more than 60 other languages.

How to download free ebooks from Project Gutenberg

1. Open gutenberg.org and use the search box, or browse the Frequently Downloaded list and bookshelves by subject.
2. Click a book to see the available formats.
3. Choose a format:
   • EPUB3: for Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo and most reading apps.
   • Kindle: for Amazon Kindle devices and apps. You can also email an EPUB to your Kindle with Send to Kindle.
   • Read online (HTML): read in any browser.
   • Plain text: lightweight and good for search or analysis.

Can you share Project Gutenberg books?

For personal reading, yes. If you redistribute a Project Gutenberg file, keep the license text included in the ebook or remove the Project Gutenberg name and trademark as the license explains. Some books contain notes saying the author or estate still holds rights in certain countries, so always read the license inside the ebook.

Free audiobooks too

• LibriVox: volunteers read public domain books aloud. Thousands of free audiobooks, many based on Project Gutenberg texts.
• AI-narrated audiobooks: Project Gutenberg has worked with researchers to create thousands of computer-narrated audiobooks of its titles.

Other free legal ebook libraries

• Standard Ebooks: carefully formatted, beautifully typeset editions of public domain books, many starting from Gutenberg texts.
• Open Library: the Internet Archive’s library to read public domain books and borrow some modern titles.
• Your local library: apps like Libby let you borrow new ebooks and audiobooks free with a library card.

Tips for reading classics on a Kindle

• Use the EPUB with Send to Kindle for the best formatting on new Kindles.
• Look up old-fashioned words with the built-in dictionary.
• Protect your device with a good Kindle cover if you read on the go.
• Planning to read offline in remote places? You can also download all of Wikipedia for reference.

FAQ

Is Project Gutenberg legal?

Yes. It only offers books that are in the public domain in the United States.

Is Project Gutenberg free?

Yes, completely free, with no account, subscription or ads. Donations are welcome.

Can I read Project Gutenberg books in India?

Most classic titles are also public domain in India, but copyright terms differ by country, so check for newer works.

What is your favourite classic book? Tell us in the comments.