Calibre-Web
Web interface for your Calibre ebook library. Browse, read, and download from any browser, sync Kobo devices, and send books to Kindle. Requires an existing Calibre database
Quick Start
docker run -d -p 8083:8083 lscr.io/linuxserver/calibre-web Overview
Calibre-Web puts a browser interface on top of your existing Calibre library. If you manage ebooks in Calibre on your desktop, this is how you make that collection accessible from any device without exposing the desktop application itself.
The setup assumes you already have a Calibre database. Calibre-Web reads from that .db file directly — it does not replace Calibre and you cannot build a library from scratch in the web UI. Point it at your existing database and you have a browsable catalogue with multi-user support, per-user reading progress, and customisable shelves.
The feature set covers most reading workflows: in-browser reading for EPUB and common formats, OPDS feeds for e-reader apps, Kobo device sync (requires the Kepubify binary installed separately), and one-click send-to-Kindle via email. Format conversion works if you install the Calibre binary on the server — the web interface alone cannot convert between formats.
A few practical notes before you start. Cover extraction from EPUBs requires ImageMagick on the server. Performance slows noticeably past around 20,000 books. The interface is functional but shows its age compared to newer alternatives like Kavita, which handles a broader range of formats and does not require a pre-existing Calibre database to get going.
For anyone already running Calibre, this is the obvious next step. For a fresh start without an existing Calibre library, compare Kavita before committing.
Calibre-Web: Pros & Cons
| Pros (The Wins) | Cons (The Friction) |
|---|---|
| Calibre-native: Reads your existing library directly; no migration or re-import needed. | Requires Calibre DB: Cannot build a library from scratch; Calibre desktop setup is a prerequisite. |
| Kobo + Kindle: Native Kobo sync and send-to-Kindle via email in one place. | Extra dependencies: ImageMagick for covers; Kepubify for Kobo; Calibre binary for conversion. |
| OPDS + multi-user: Feed any e-reader app; separate accounts with per-user progress. | Dated interface: Functional but less polished than newer alternatives like Kavita. |
| 17k stars, active: GPL-3.0, updated regularly, large community behind it. | Scale ceiling: Performance degrades noticeably past roughly 20,000 books. |
Use Cases
Specific ways to use Calibre-Web for your workflow.
Deployment Strategy
Recommended ways to host Calibre-Web in your own environment.