Thousands of classic books can be read or heard online without starting a trial, entering card details or paying a subscription.
The important part is choosing the right library. Project Gutenberg has the broadest straightforward ebook catalogue, Standard Ebooks concentrates on polished editions, LibriVox supplies volunteer-read audiobooks, and Internet Archive is strongest when you want to inspect a scan of an older edition.
Which free book website should you use?
| What you want | Best place to start | Account needed? |
|---|---|---|
| A classic ebook in several formats | Project Gutenberg | No |
| A particularly well-formatted ebook | Standard Ebooks | No |
| A free public-domain audiobook | LibriVox | No for listening |
| A scanned historical edition | Internet Archive | Sometimes, depending on access |
| Classical sheet music | IMSLP | Usually not for basic browsing |
None of these replaces a public library for new releases. For current ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers and films, see what a London library card can get you.
Project Gutenberg: best overall selection
Project Gutenberg is an online library containing more than 75,000 free ebooks. Volunteers digitise and proofread works, which are normally offered in formats such as browser-readable HTML, EPUB and plain text.
It is the best first stop when you already know the author or title. You can also browse frequently downloaded books, subjects and bookshelves.
Pros
- Very large collection of established classics
- No fee, trial or registration required
- Multiple download formats
- Easy browser reading
Limitations
- Formatting and illustrations vary between individual editions
- Search results can include several versions of the same work
- Its public-domain assessment is based primarily on United States law
Choose the “EPUB3” or regular EPUB version for most modern reading apps. Use HTML if you simply want to start reading in a browser.
Standard Ebooks: best-looking editions
Standard Ebooks takes public-domain texts and turns them into carefully produced ebooks with consistent typography, cleaned-up source files and modern ereader support.
Its catalogue is much smaller than Project Gutenberg’s because each edition takes substantial editorial and design work. That is also its advantage: when the same title exists on both sites, the Standard Ebooks edition will often feel more like a professionally published ebook.
Pros
- Clean, consistent presentation
- Carefully checked metadata and typography
- Good choice for an ereader library
- Free and open-source editions
Limitations
- Far fewer titles than Project Gutenberg
- Concentrates on works in the US public domain
- Not the place for recent books
Use the catalogue filters to browse by subject, author or reading time when you do not have a particular book in mind.
LibriVox: best for free audiobooks
LibriVox organises volunteers to record books that are in the public domain in the United States. The completed recordings can be streamed or downloaded free of charge.
Some books are read by one person; others divide chapters between several volunteers. Recording style and sound quality therefore vary more than on a commercial audiobook service. Listen to a sample before downloading a long book.
Pros
- No subscription
- Stream or download recordings
- Large selection of classic literature
- Useful for commutes, walks and language practice
Limitations
- Narration quality and volume can vary
- A different reader may handle each chapter
- Public-domain status may differ outside the United States
If several recordings exist, compare the narrator, completion date and user ratings rather than automatically choosing the first result.
Internet Archive: best for scanned editions
Internet Archive’s texts collection contains scanned books, magazines and documents from many contributing libraries and users.
It is particularly useful when the physical edition matters: illustrations, typography, advertisements, marginalia or the original page layout may all be visible in a scan.
Not every item has the same access conditions. Some can be read and downloaded freely, some are available through controlled borrowing, and some are restricted. Check the access notice and rights information on the individual item instead of assuming every search result is a downloadable public-domain book.
Best for: old editions and source material that loses something when converted to plain text.
IMSLP: free classical sheet music
IMSLP, also called the Petrucci Music Library, is a specialist collection of scores and recordings. It is useful for musicians, students and anyone trying to locate a particular public-domain edition of a classical work.
Search by composer, work, instrument or musical period. A work page may contain several editions, arrangements and parts, so check exactly what a file contains before printing it.
IMSLP also accepts copyrighted material where it has permission. Availability and copyright warnings can differ by country and server. Follow the notice shown for the particular file.
London musicians should also investigate the Barbican Music Library, covered in our London library-card guide.
How to put a free ebook on your device
From archive to reading app
- Find the book on the archive.
Check the title, author, translator and edition before downloading.
- Choose EPUB where possible.
It adapts to different screen sizes and works in most ebook apps.
- Open the downloaded file.
On a phone or tablet, use the share menu to send it to your preferred reading app.
- Use browser reading if you are unsure.
Project Gutenberg’s HTML option avoids downloads entirely.
- Download before travelling.
Save the file or audiobook on Wi-Fi if you want to read on a flight or Underground journey.
Kindle support depends on the device and file. Current Kindles can receive compatible EPUB files through Amazon’s Send to Kindle service, which converts them for the device. Check Amazon’s current file requirements before sending a large collection.
The UK copyright issue
“Available on a public-domain website” does not always mean “out of copyright everywhere”.
Project Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks and LibriVox operate primarily around United States public-domain rules. A work can be public domain in the US while remaining protected in the UK because copyright terms differ.
For ordinary personal reading, follow the warning and availability information provided by the service. If you plan to republish, adapt, perform, distribute or use a work commercially, check its UK status independently. Translations, introductions, illustrations and particular editions can have separate copyright even when the original text is old.
What these sites will not give you
These collections are strongest for older works. They will not legally provide most current bestsellers, recent textbooks or new commercial audiobooks for free.
For newer material, try:
- your local library’s Libby, BorrowBox or cloudLibrary collection;
- a physical library reservation;
- a publisher-approved free promotion;
- an author’s own website;
- a legitimate free trial you have checked and intend to cancel.
Avoid sites promising free downloads of books that are still commercially sold without explaining the licence. An attractive download button is not evidence that the copy is authorised.
Free ebook and audiobook questions
Is Project Gutenberg really free?
Is Standard Ebooks better than Project Gutenberg?
Can I listen to LibriVox without subscribing?
Does Internet Archive make every book free to download?
Where can I get newer ebooks for free?
Services and access details checked on 8 September 2026. Catalogues, formats and access conditions can change.