Document Format

PRC

Palm Resource Code (Mobipocket)

PRC (Palm Resource Code) is a legacy e-book format from the Palm OS and pre-Kindle era. Most PRC files are actually Mobipocket format (the predecessor to MOBI and AZW3) with the .prc extension instead of .mobi. PRC was the standard for Palm OS PDAs (Palm Pilot, Treo, Sony Clié) in the early 2000s and persisted in the Mobipocket reader.

What is PRC?

PRC files use the Palm Database (PDB) container with Mobipocket's HTML-based e-book content inside. The format supports basic typography (bold, italic, headings), embedded images, table of contents, and chapter structure. Some PRC files use Palm DOC format (a simpler text-only format from before Mobipocket); these are rarer and less feature-rich.

PRC pros and cons

Advantages

Compatible with most Mobipocket-aware tools (Calibre, FBReader)
Small file sizes — efficient for the Palm OS era
Chapter structure and basic formatting preserved
DRM-free PRC files are easy to convert

Limitations

Effectively legacy — almost no modern device or app reads PRC natively
DRM-protected PRC (Mobipocket DRM) is mostly unconvertible
Limited typography compared to modern EPUB or AZW3
Requires conversion for any modern reading workflow

When should you convert PRC files?

Convert PRC to EPUB for modern e-readers (Kobo, Apple Books). Convert to AZW3 for Kindle. Convert to PDF for printing. Calibre handles all conversions cleanly for DRM-free PRC files: add the file, click Convert books, choose your target format.

PRC compared with other formats

PRC vs MOBI

All FormatDrop conversions run entirely in your browser — no file upload, no server processing. Your files stay on your device.

PRC FAQ

Is PRC the same as MOBI?

Almost always yes — both extensions refer to Mobipocket-format e-books. The .prc extension was used on Palm OS; .mobi became standard with the Mobipocket reader. Calibre, FBReader, and most e-book tools handle them interchangeably.

Can I read PRC on a modern Kindle?

Yes — Kindles read MOBI format natively, and PRC is essentially MOBI. Email the .prc file to your @kindle.com address; Amazon delivers it to your library. Or sideload via USB.

What if my PRC file uses Palm DOC format?

Palm DOC PRC files (older, text-only) need conversion via Calibre or specialized tools like ABC Amber Palm Converter. These files typically have no formatting beyond paragraph breaks. Modern Mobipocket PRC files have rich formatting.