You can send a Kindle book directly to someone's email address or buy a gift card they redeem themselves

Amazon offers two straightforward ways to give a Kindle book. The first is Kindle ebook gifting, where you buy the book and send it directly to the recipient's email address — they receive it in their Kindle library without paying anything. The second is an Amazon.com gift card, which the recipient uses to buy their own Kindle books. Both methods work whether the person has a Kindle device, a Kindle app on their phone or tablet, or reads on a web browser.

Kindle ebook gifting is faster and more personal if you know exactly which book they want. Gift cards work better if you're unsure what they'd like to read, or if they prefer to choose their own books. Neither method requires the recipient to own a Kindle device — they only need an Amazon account.

Key Takeaways

  • To gift a specific Kindle book, find it on Amazon, click "Buy as a Gift," enter the recipient's email address, and choose a delivery date up to one year in the future.
  • Amazon gift cards can be sent by email or printed, and the recipient uses them to buy any Kindle books they want from the Kindle Store.
  • Kindle ebook gifts cannot be returned or exchanged once delivered, so confirm the book title and recipient email address before completing the purchase.
  • The recipient must have an Amazon account to receive a Kindle book gift, but they do not need to own a Kindle device.
  • Some Kindle books cannot be gifted — usually older titles or those with certain publisher restrictions — and Amazon will tell you at checkout if a book is not giftable.

How to send a Kindle book as a gift

Start on the Amazon product page for the Kindle book you want to give. Look for a button labeled "Buy as a Gift" — it appears near the main "Buy Now" button. Click it, and Amazon will ask for the recipient's email address and a personal message you want to include.

Next, choose when you want the gift delivered. You can send it immediately, or schedule it for a specific date up to one year in the future. This is useful if you're buying a book for a birthday and want it to arrive on that day. After you confirm the delivery date, review the price (it's the same as a regular Kindle purchase), and complete the payment using your Amazon account.

The recipient will receive an email notification that they've been sent a Kindle book. They click a link in the email, sign into their Amazon account, and the book appears in their Kindle library. They can start reading right away on any device where they use that Amazon account.

What to know before you gift a Kindle book

Not every Kindle book can be gifted. Some publishers restrict gifting on certain titles, usually older books or those published by smaller presses. When you click "Buy as a Gift," Amazon will tell you immediately if the book cannot be gifted. If that happens, a gift card is your alternative.

Once you send a Kindle book gift, it cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded. Double-check the book title, the recipient's email address, and the delivery date before you complete the purchase. If you send it to the wrong email address, contact Amazon customer service right away — they may be able to cancel it before delivery, but there's no may provide.

The recipient's email address must be associated with an active Amazon account. If they don't have one yet, they'll need to create it to receive and read the gift. You can let them know this ahead of time, or they'll see it explained in the notification email Amazon sends them.

Using an Amazon gift card instead

If the book you want to give cannot be gifted, or if you'd rather let the recipient choose their own books, buy an Amazon.com gift card. These work for any purchase on Amazon, including Kindle books, but the recipient can use the balance however they want.

You can send a gift card by email — Amazon emails a code and a personal message from you — or you can buy a physical card and give it in person. Email delivery is instant, while physical cards arrive by mail. The recipient redeems the code by entering it into their Amazon account, and the balance appears in their account immediately.

Gift card balances don't expire, so there's no rush for the recipient to spend it. They can use it to buy one expensive Kindle book, several cheaper ones, or save it for later.

Sending a gift to someone without an Amazon account

If the person you're buying for doesn't have an Amazon account yet, a gift card is the better choice. You can email them the gift card code, and they'll create an account during the redemption process. The balance will be waiting for them once they set up their account.

If you use the Kindle book gifting option and send it to an email address that isn't linked to an Amazon account, the recipient will receive a notification email. They'll be prompted to create an account to claim the gift. However, this adds an extra step, so gift cards are simpler for people who are new to Amazon.

Checking your gift history

You can see a record of Kindle books you've sent as gifts by going to your Amazon account, clicking "Returns, Orders, and Settings," and then "Your Orders." Look for orders marked as gifts — they'll show the recipient's email address and delivery status.

If you need to contact Amazon about a gift you've sent, have the recipient's email address and the order number ready. Customer service can help if there's a problem with delivery or if you need to cancel a gift before it's been claimed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I gift a Kindle book to someone in another country?

Yes, as long as they have an Amazon account. The book will be delivered to their email address and appear in their Kindle library. However, some books have regional restrictions, and Amazon may not allow gifting to certain countries. You'll see a message at checkout if the recipient's location is a problem.

What happens if I send a Kindle book to the wrong email address?

Contact Amazon customer service immediately with the order number. If the gift hasn't been claimed yet, they may be able to cancel it. Once the recipient claims the gift, it cannot be reversed. To prevent this, always double-check the email address before you complete the purchase.

Can the recipient re-gift a Kindle book they receive?

No. Once a Kindle book is delivered to someone's library, it's tied to their account and cannot be transferred or gifted to another person. They can read it, but they cannot give it away.

Is there a limit to how many Kindle books I can gift at once?

Amazon doesn't publish a specific limit, but if you're buying many gifts at once, you may want to spread them out over a few days to avoid triggering fraud detection. If you have questions about a large order, contact Amazon customer service before you buy.

Do Kindle book gifts count toward my Amazon Prime membership benefits?

No. Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading are separate services that give you access to certain books for free or at a discount, but gifting a book means buying it outright. The recipient gets the book permanently, regardless of whether either of you has Prime.