How to use the cbz to pdf converter
- Choose a CBZ file, which is a ZIP archive of pictures, up to 25 MB.
- Check the list of pages the tool found, in reading order, and note any files it left out.
- Choose the page size from picture size, from 72 to 300 pixels per inch.
- Make the PDF and download it. The page previews the first page.
Formula
Pictures are the JPEG and PNG files in the archive. Folders, hidden files and files such as ComicInfo.xml are skipped.
Pages are put in natural order, so page2 comes before page10, and capital letters do not matter
Page width in points = picture width in pixels x 72 / pixels per inch, and the same for height
Each picture fills its page exactly, so the page has the same proportions as the picture
Pictures are placed in the PDF without being resampled, so their quality stays as it was in the archive.
An archive with three pictures
An archive holds page10.png (300 by 200 pixels), page2.jpg (200 by 300) and page1.png (100 by 100), plus ComicInfo.xml and a __MACOSX folder. The tool lists page1.png, page2.jpg and page10.png in that order, ignores the other two, and makes a PDF with 3 pages.
At 72 pixels per inch the pages measure 100 by 100, 200 by 300 and 300 by 200 points. At 150 pixels per inch they measure 48 by 48, 96 by 144 and 144 by 96 points, which are the same shapes at a smaller size. A picture in WebP or GIF format is listed with a reason and left out.
Reading order
A comic book archive is just a ZIP file renamed to CBZ, with one picture per page named in order. Plain alphabetical order puts page10 before page2, which would scramble the book, so the tool compares the numbers inside names as numbers. Folders are compared part by part, so chapter2 comes before chapter10. If a book still comes out in the wrong order, rename the pictures so their numbers are padded, such as 001, 002, 003.
To join PDFs, use merge PDF. To turn PDF pages back into pictures, use PDF to image, and to make a PDF from pictures you pick yourself, use images to PDF.
Size, format and limits
The PDF is about as large as the archive, because the JPEG and PNG data are copied in as they are. An archive can hold up to 500 pictures of up to 50 MB each. Pictures in other formats, such as WebP, GIF or AVIF, are listed and left out, since a PDF cannot hold them directly, so convert them to JPEG or PNG first. A picture that cannot be read is also listed and skipped.
Only CBZ, which is a ZIP, is handled. Archives in the RAR format (CBR) need to be unpacked and zipped first. To unpack an archive, see the unzip extractor. Nothing is uploaded.
Assumptions and limits
- The file is a standard ZIP archive (CBZ) of at most 500 pictures.
- Only JPEG and PNG pictures are used. Other formats are listed and left out.
- The page size comes from the pixel size and the resolution you choose. Pictures are not resampled.
- Pages follow natural order of the file names, including folders.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a CBZ file to PDF?
Choose the CBZ file, pick a resolution and download the PDF. Each picture becomes one page.
Why is the order of the pages different from what I expected?
Pages follow the names in natural order. Rename the pictures with numbers that are padded with zeros if you need a different order.
Does it work on CBR files?
No. A CBR is a RAR archive. Unpack it and zip the pictures into a CBZ first.
Will the quality change?
No. JPEG and PNG data are placed in the PDF as they are, with no extra compression.