Calibre-Web — Self-Hosted eBook Library & Reader

Introduction

Calibre-Web is a Python web application that provides a clean browser-based interface for your existing Calibre eBook library. It turns a local Calibre database into a full-featured online library with reading, downloading, user management, and OPDS catalog support, all without modifying your original library.

What Calibre-Web Does

• Serves your Calibre library over the web with search, filtering, and sorting
• Provides an in-browser eBook reader for EPUB, PDF, and CBR/CBZ formats
• Supports multi-user accounts with per-user download and upload permissions
• Exposes an OPDS feed for mobile eBook reader apps like KOReader and Moon+ Reader
• Allows editing metadata, uploading new books, and sending books to Kindle via email

Architecture Overview

Calibre-Web is a Flask-based Python application that reads from a standard Calibre metadata.db SQLite database. It uses SQLAlchemy for data access and Jinja2 for templating. The built-in reader leverages epub.js for EPUBs and pdf.js for PDFs. Authentication is handled internally or via LDAP and OAuth providers.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Mount your existing Calibre library directory as a Docker volume at /books
• Point the app to your metadata.db file through the initial setup wizard
• Enable Goodreads integration and Google Books metadata fetching in admin settings
• Configure SMTP for Kindle email delivery and password reset functionality
• Use Nginx or Caddy as a reverse proxy for HTTPS and subdomain access

Key Features

• In-browser reading for EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ without downloading
• Kobo sync integration for automatic library synchronization with Kobo devices
• OPDS catalog support for connecting mobile reader apps directly
• Shelf system for organizing personal reading lists and collections
• Built-in eBook format conversion when Calibre binaries are available

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Calibre Desktop — Full-featured but requires a desktop GUI; Calibre-Web is browser-first
• Kavita — Focuses on manga and comics; Calibre-Web excels at eBooks and OPDS
• Komga — Designed for comics and manga libraries; Calibre-Web targets general eBook collections
• Audiobookshelf — Focused on audiobooks and podcasts; Calibre-Web handles text-based eBooks
• Readarr — Automates eBook acquisition; Calibre-Web manages and serves an existing library

FAQ

Q: Do I need Calibre desktop installed? A: No. Calibre-Web only requires the metadata.db file from a Calibre library. Calibre desktop is optional for format conversion.

Q: Can multiple users share one library? A: Yes. Calibre-Web supports multiple user accounts with configurable permissions for downloading, uploading, and editing.

Q: Does it support Kindle send-to-device? A: Yes. Configure your SMTP settings and Kindle email addresses, and Calibre-Web can send books directly to Kindle devices.

Q: What formats can I read in the browser? A: EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ are supported for in-browser reading. Other formats require downloading.

Sources

• https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-web
• https://github.com/janeczku/calibre-web/wiki