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PDF to CBZ

docs/tools/pdf-to-cbz.md

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PDF to CBZ

Converts a PDF into a CBZ (Comic Book ZIP) file — the standard format for digital comics and manga. Each PDF page becomes an image inside the archive. The tool generates metadata in three formats for maximum compatibility: ComicInfo.xml, metadata.opf, and ComicBookInfo JSON.

How It Works

  1. Upload a PDF by clicking the drop zone or dragging a file onto it.
  2. Choose image format, quality, scale, and optional metadata.
  3. Click Convert to generate the CBZ file.
  4. The .cbz file downloads automatically.

Options

OptionValuesDefaultDescription
Image FormatJPEG, PNG, WebPJPEGJPEG for color comics, PNG for lossless B&W manga, WebP for best compression.
Quality50–100%85%Controls JPEG/WebP compression. Hidden for PNG (always lossless).
Scale1.0x–4.0x2.0xHigher scale produces sharper images for high-res screens.
GrayscaleOn/OffOffConverts pages to grayscale. Reduces file size for B&W content.
Manga modeOn/OffOffSets right-to-left reading direction in metadata.
Include metadataOn/OffOnEmbeds ComicInfo.xml, metadata.opf, and ComicBookInfo JSON.

Metadata Fields

When metadata is enabled, you can fill in:

  • Title — Auto-detected from the PDF filename.
  • Series — The series name (e.g., "Naruto").
  • Number (#) — Issue number within the series.
  • Volume (Vol.) — Volume number.
  • Author(s) — Writer or creator name.
  • Publisher — Publishing company.
  • Tags / Genre — Comma-separated tags (e.g., "Action, Adventure").
  • Published Year — Year of publication (1900–2100).
  • Rating — Community rating from 0 to 5.

Metadata Compatibility

The tool writes metadata in three formats so every reader can find it:

FormatLocationSupported by
ComicInfo.xmlFile inside ZIPKomga, Kavita, CDisplayEx, Mylar, ComicRack
metadata.opfFile inside ZIPCalibre
ComicBookInfo JSONZIP comment fieldCalibre (fallback)

Output Format

  • filename.cbz — A ZIP archive containing numbered page images and metadata files.

Page images are named with zero-padded numbers (01.jpg, 02.jpg, etc.) so readers display them in the correct order.

Use Cases

  • Converting manga or comic PDFs for use with comic book readers.
  • Building a digital comic library in Komga, Kavita, or Calibre.
  • Converting scanned comic books to a reader-friendly format.
  • Sharing comics in a format that preserves reading direction and metadata.

Tips

  • Use JPEG for color comics and PNG for black-and-white manga — PNG compresses B&W content very efficiently.
  • Enable Grayscale for manga to significantly reduce file size.
  • Fill in the Series and Number fields so library managers (Komga, Calibre) can organize your collection automatically.
  • WebP offers the best compression but older comic readers may not support it.