# Pandoc

Pandoc is a free, open-source command-line converter that turns Markdown, Word and other formats into EPUB, DOCX and, through LaTeX, PDF.

- Canonical page: https://kdp123.com/t/pandoc/
- Official site: https://pandoc.org
- Categories: Writing & Formatting
- Price: Free (Free and open source.)
- Platforms: windows, mac, linux
- Outputs KDP-ready files: Yes
- Touches your KDP account: No
- Official Amazon product: No
- Last checked: 2026-11-09

## Summary

Pandoc converts between dozens of document formats, so a KDP publisher who writes in Markdown can produce an EPUB for Kindle or a DOCX from one source file. Print PDFs go through a LaTeX engine, which can be set to a KDP trim size but takes template and command-line work. It has no graphical interface and no book design themes.

## Pros

- Free, scriptable, and repeatable for many books or editions
- Handles footnotes, citations and math well

## Cons

- Command line only
- Print-ready PDF requires installing and configuring LaTeX

## Alternatives

- [calibre](https://kdp123.com/t/calibre/)
- [Sigil](https://kdp123.com/t/sigil/)
- [Scrivener](https://kdp123.com/t/scrivener/)

## Sources

- https://pandoc.org/
- https://pandoc.org/installing.html
- https://pandoc.org/MANUAL.html