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Recently, I received two specific questions about whether you would be able to and how to read ebooks in Landscape (horizontal) Mode on a Kindle Paperwhite.

Please note that the software updates starting Firmware Kindle 5.7.3 5.13.2 have brought some major changes and new features (to older Kindles). One of these changes goes to how to read ebooks in Landscape Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite and other Kindles (see an update down below).

Yes, you will and are able to read ebooks in the Landscape Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite. Just do not expect your Kindle Paperwhite to switch from Portrait Mode (vertical) to Landscape Mode (horizontal) automatically by itself.

Your Kindle Paperwhite, or other Kindles for that matter, is obviously an e-reader, not a tablet, which is specially made for reading and/or listening to audible books only (the Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite comes with Audible). Hence, it lacks of capability to automatically switch from Portrait Mode to Landscape Mode and vice versa.

Before I proceed, let me remind you that I’ll be splitting this tutorial into three sections. First, it will cover how to read ebooks in Landscape Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite and other Kindles before Firmware Version 5.7.3 (oldest Kindles), after Firmware Version 5.13.2. (older Kindles), and thirdly, with Firmware Kindle 5.18.5 and beyond.

1.1. How to read ebooks in Landscape Mode BEFORE Firmware Kindle 5.7.3

Switching to the Landscape Mode when you are reading ebooks on your Kindle Paperwhite is very easy and quite straightforward. Just follow the following steps:

1. Tap on the On Device on your Kindle Paperwhite.

2. Open your ebook that you want to read in the Landscape Mode.

3. Tap the upper or bottom area of your Kindle Paperwhite until the Menu appears.

4. On the menu, select the Landscape Mode (see the arrow in the image above).

5. You are now reading your ebook in the Landscape Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite (see image below).

6. To switch back to the Portrait Mode, repeat steps 3 and 4: Tap the upper or bottom area of your Kindle Paperwhite until the Menu appears and select the Portrait Mode (see the arrow in the image below).

7. And you are now reading the ebook back in the Portrait Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite.

1.2. How to read ebooks in Landscape Mode AFTER Firmware Kindle 5.13.2

Switching to the Landscape Mode and switching back to the Portrait Mode when you are reading ebooks on your Kindle Paperwhite or other Kindles using Firmware Kindle 5.13.2 as follows:

1. Open your ebook that you want to read in Landscape Mode.

2. Tap on an (empty) space at the top of your ebook page until the (Aa) menu appears (see image above).

3. Tap on the (Aa) menu, and a navigation with Themes, Font, Layout, and More menus will appear (see image below).

4. Tap the Layout menu to view Orientation, Margins, Alignment, and Spacing sections (see image above).

5. Below Orientation, tap the Landscape Mode icon to read your ebook in the Landscape mode (see image below).

Please note that for this second section of the blog post, I am reading and using The Karla Trilogy Digital Collection Featuring George Smiley: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, Smiley’s People by John le Carré as illustration. His amazing books are my old-time favorites and are also available in Audible audiobooks, which I highly recommend reading and listening to on your Kindle Paperwhite.

6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 and tap on the Portrait Mode icon to switch back to the Portrait Mode (see image above).

1.3. How to read ebooks in Landscape Mode WITH Firmware Kindle 5.18.5 and beyond

For this section, I’ll be using my Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, and this third section will regularly be updated. Switching to the Landscape Mode and switching back to the Portrait Mode when you are reading ebooks on your Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Colorsoft, or other Kindles using Firmware Kindle 5.18.5 and beyond, as follows:

1. Open your ebook that you want to read in Landscape Mode.

2. Tap on an (empty) space at the top of your ebook page until the (Aa) menu appears (see image above). It looks a little bit complicated, but please just focus on the (Aa) menu.

3. Tap on the (Aa) menu, and a navigation with Themes, Font, Layout, and More menus will appear (see image below).

4. Tap the Layout menu to view Orientation, Margins, and Alignment sections (see image above).

5. Below Orientation, tap the Landscape Mode icon to read your ebook in the Landscape mode (see image below).

Please note that I am now reading and using Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller for this third section of the blog post.

6. And repeat steps 1 – 5 and tap on the Portrait Mode icon to switch back to the Portrait Mode (see image below).

Before I go, let me also remind you that this switching capability applies to viewing and reading ebooks and documents only. You are not (yet) able to switch mode when you are reading periodicals such as magazines, newspapers, and blogs.

So, that’s it. Now you can read your favorite ebooks in both Landscape and Portrait Mode on your Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Colorsoft, or other Kindles with ease. Happy reading, and of course, your questions or comments are welcome in the comment section below.

Bonus tips:

• Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours now from Amazon.com (US & International) or Amazon.de (Germany & Europe/EU).
• Click here to read Kindle books using the FREE Kindle Reading App on your iOS, Android, Mac, and PC.