MOBI Metadata — Extract Kindle Ebook Metadata
Extract metadata from MOBI and AZW Kindle ebooks — title, author, ISBN, ASIN, language, and cover image. 100% private, no upload.
Drop your Kindle/MOBI file here
or click to browse — extracts metadata from MOBI, AZW, AZW3, PRC files
MOBI is the ebook format that defined the Kindle ecosystem. Before EPUB became the universal standard, before Amazon bought Mobipocket in 2005, the .mobi file was the default ebook container for Palm PDAs and early e-readers. The format’s metadata architecture reflects that legacy: it starts with a PalmDOC header from 1996, then layers a MOBI-specific header, and finally an EXTH record block that carries the fields modern readers expect — title, author, ISBN, ASIN, publisher, language, and cover image. Every Kindle book you have ever downloaded carries this three-layer header, and every ebook management tool in existence (Calibre, Sigil, Kindle Previewer) reads it the same way.
The practical need for a MOBI metadata extractor is the situation where you have a .mobi file and you do not know what it is. The filename might be a hash, a UUID, or a cryptic shortcode assigned by a distributor. Opening the file in a reader takes time and ties up the device. The metadata in the header contains the answer in under a second, and the cover image confirms it visually. This tool does exactly that — pure extraction, no conversion, no editing.
For ebook archivists, the ASIN field is the key piece of data. Every Kindle book sold by Amazon gets a unique ASIN, which is the identifier used by the Kindle Store, Goodreads (which Amazon owns), and LibraryThing. Extracting the ASIN from a downloaded book file lets you cross-reference it with the store listing, verify the edition, and check whether the file matches the purchase record. The ISBN, when present, connects the digital edition to its print counterpart for cataloguing purposes.
How to use
Drop a MOBI or AZW file
Drag a .mobi, .azw, or .azw3 file into the drop zone. The tool reads the PalmDOC header, MOBI-specific extensions, and EXTH records that carry metadata. No upload — the file is parsed entirely in your browser.
Review the extracted fields
The output shows title, author(s), publisher, publication date, ISBN, ASIN, language code, and the cover image if embedded. Each field is extracted from the raw binary header — values are displayed exactly as the publisher encoded them.
Save the cover image
If the ebook contains an embedded cover, download it as a PNG or JPEG. The cover is extracted from the binary and rendered in a preview panel.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between MOBI, AZW, and AZW3?
MOBI is the original Mobipocket format. AZW is Amazon's protected variant — the metadata is readable but the content may be DRM-locked. AZW3 (KF8) adds HTML5 and CSS3 support. This tool reads the metadata header from all three without touching the encrypted content.
Can it extract the ASIN from a Kindle book?
Yes. The ASIN lives in EXTH record type 113. If the publisher included it, the tool surfaces it under the ASIN field. This is the identifier to use when cross-referencing with Kindle Store listings or Goodreads.
Why does the title differ from what Calibre shows?
Some publishers store a display-title in one field and a sort-title in another. Calibre and Kindle apps may show the sort-title. This tool emits both fields as separate entries — title and title-sort — so you see which is which.
Does it read DRM-protected content?
No. The tool extracts only the metadata header portion of the file. Encrypted content sections are skipped and marked as DRM-protected. The metadata itself is usually unencrypted even on DRM'd books.
Can I edit the metadata after extraction?
No — this tool is read-only. To edit metadata, use Calibre or Sigil, which can rewrite the MOBI header. This tool is for inspection and validation only.
Limitations
- No content extractionOnly the metadata header is parsed. Full-text extraction, chapter listing, and word count are not available. Use Calibre for full ebook editing.
- DRM-protected content is untouchableEncrypted MOBI and AZW files show metadata but produce no content. The tool does not and cannot circumvent DRM.
- EXTH record coverage is partialThe MOBI EXTH standard defines over 200 record types. This tool covers the 40 most common ones (title, author, publisher, ISBN, ASIN, language, description, cover, subject, rights). Rare EXTH types are listed by number without a label.
Platform notes
- macOS
- Kindle for Mac stores books in ~/Library/Containers/com.amazon.Kindle/Data/Library/Application Support/Kindle/My Kindle Content/. The browser tool reads any .mobi or .azw from that folder without uploading.
- Windows
- Kindle for PC stores books in Documents\My Kindle Content\. The browser tool reads directly from disk with no server round-trip.
- Linux
- For command-line work, `mobiunpack` and `kindleunpack` are the closest CLI equivalents. The browser tool is the right pick for one-off metadata inspection without installing Python.
- Web
- Runs entirely client-side. The ebook file stays on your device.