WordToEPUB

WordToEPUB is a free tool from the DAISY Consortium, the accessibility nonprofit behind the EPUB accessibility standards. It installs as a Windows add-in and converts a Word document into a clean, semantically structured EPUB with proper headings, alt-text prompts, and screen-reader-friendly markup — the kind of output that usually takes manual cleanup after a generic conversion. For nonfiction and educational authors who care about accessibility (and about meeting store accessibility requirements), it's a genuinely distinct option.

Why Authors Use It#

• Best for: Accessibility-conscious authors, especially nonfiction and educational writers who want a well-structured, screen-reader-friendly EPUB with minimal manual fixing
• Accessible by default: Preserves heading structure, prompts for alt text, and produces EPUB that follows DAISY's accessibility guidance out of the box
• Built-in validation: Integrates EPUBCheck and DAISY's Ace accessibility checker so you can confirm the file is clean before publishing
• Flexible input: Works from Word, and from Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, or Apple Pages exported to DOCX; can also convert EPUB back to Word
• Completely free: Distributed at no cost by a respected nonprofit, funded to improve reading accessibility

Limitations#

• Windows only: Requires Microsoft Word on Windows 7 through 11; no Mac or Linux build
• Slow release cadence: Actively distributed and documented by DAISY, but major numbered releases are infrequent
• Not a layout tool: It produces reflowable, accessible EPUB — not designed print interiors or fixed-layout books

Alternatives#

• Calibre (free) — broader format conversion, but its output typically needs more manual accessibility cleanup
• Pandoc (free) — cross-platform and scriptable, though tuning accessible output takes more effort