Sigil
Kevin Hendricks and Doug Massay (co-lead developers) • Code Editors
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Sigil is a powerful, free, and open-source software designed specifically for creating and editing eBooks in the ePub format. It provides comprehensive tools for both new authors and experienced developers, ensuring complete freedom and precision in eBook production.
This multi-platform application runs stably across Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering full UTF-16 character support for diverse languages and special characters. Sigil supports both ePub 2 and extended ePub 3 specifications, making it a versatile choice for preparing books for major publishing platforms like Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play.
In This Post
Expert Tips
Setting Your Default EPUB Version
- Upon first launch, navigate to Edit > Preferences.
- In the General Preferences tab, select your preferred default EPUB version (e.g., EPUB 2 or EPUB 3) for new empty eBooks.
- If working with EPUB 3, consider changing the PreserveEntities setting to use only numeric entities (e.g., for non-breaking spaces) for better compatibility.
Why: Configuring the default EPUB version ensures that new projects start with the correct code base, aligning with your publishing requirements. Using numeric entities for EPUB 3 can prevent rendering issues across different readers.
Customizing the User Interface and Toolbars
- To adjust the toolbar, right-click on any toolbar area and select Customize Toolbars to add or remove buttons based on your workflow.
- Access Edit > Preferences > Appearance to change the color scheme of the code editor, which can help reduce eye strain during long editing sessions.
- Panels like the Book Browser, Editor Area, and Preview Pane can be toggled or rearranged via the View menu to optimize your workspace.
Why: Personalizing the interface allows you to streamline your editing environment, placing frequently used tools within easy reach and tailoring the visual style to your comfort, enhancing productivity.
Leveraging Plugins for Enhanced Functionality
- Go to Plugins > Manage Plugins to install, update, or remove add-ons that extend Sigil’s capabilities.
- Explore the available plugins for tasks such as code validation (e.g., FlightCrew), conversion from other formats (like DOCX), or optimizing book images.
- For WYSIWYG editing, consider integrating an external HTML editor like PageEdit, which can be launched directly from Sigil via the Open With feature or a dedicated button.
Why: Plugins significantly expand Sigil’s power, automating complex tasks and adding features not built into the core application. This allows you to tailor the software to specific project needs, from validation to advanced content conversion.
Download Sigil
File size: 139MB
OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux
Windows
macOS
Sigil 2.8.0 for MacOS – ARM64 Arm
Sigil 2.8.0 for MacOS – Intel Arm
Linux
Main Features
- Multi-platform Compatibility: Sigil runs seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent user experience across different operating systems. This ensures accessibility for a broad range of users regardless of their preferred platform.
- Full Character Support (UTF-16): Utilizing UTF-16, Sigil guarantees the correct rendering of all languages and special characters, making it suitable for global publishing and diverse content creation.
- Flexible Format Support: The software offers full support for the ePub 2 specification and extended support for ePub 3, allowing users to work with current and legacy eBook standards.
- Multiple Operating Modes: Sigil provides various views including Book View (WYSIWYG for visual editing), Code View (for direct XHTML, CSS, and XPGT syntax control), and Preview View (for real-time rendering of the eBook’s appearance).
- Advanced Organization and Metadata: Users can add comprehensive book information such as author, publisher, ISBN, and language, all compliant with EPUB standards. It also features automatic generation of a hierarchical Table of Contents.
- Powerful Processing Tools: Includes robust tools like Find & Replace with full Regular Expression (PCRE) support, a built-in spell checker with user-configurable dictionaries, and easy import of existing EPUB/HTML files, images, and CSS styles.
- Extensibility through Plugins: Sigil supports external plugins that automate various processes, including code validation, format conversion, and optimization of book images, enhancing its core functionalities.
Technical Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) (64-bit), macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer, Linux (requires Qt6.4+ to build or use AppImage/Flatpak)
Tech Specs
| Software Name | Sigil |
|---|---|
| Version | 2.8.0 |
| License | Open Source (GPLv3) |
| File Size | 139MB |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Language | Multi-language |
| Developer | Kevin Hendricks and Doug Massay (co-lead developers) |
| Homepage | https://sigil-ebook.com/ |
| Changelogurl | https://github.com/Sigil-Ebook/Sigil/releases/ |
| Last Updated | September 13, 2025 |
Setup Instructions
Installation Steps
- Click the download button above to get the installer for your operating system.
- Locate the downloaded file (e.g., .exe for Windows, .txz for macOS, .AppImage for Linux) and double-click to run it.
- Follow the on-screen installation wizard to complete the setup process for your specific platform.
Compatibility: For Windows, Sigil requires Windows 10 (version 1809) or newer (64-bit). For macOS, version 13 (Ventura) or newer is needed. Linux users can typically find it via package managers, AppImage, Flatpak, or build from source.
Common Issues & Fixes
- Issue: Installation fails on Windows → Solution: Ensure your Windows version is 10 (1809) or newer and run the installer as an administrator.
- Issue: macOS application not opening → Solution: On macOS, if the .txz file doesn’t automatically uncompress, use the Terminal command tar -xf Sigil.app-X.X.X-Mac.txz and then drag the .app file to your Applications folder. You might also need to adjust security settings for unsigned applications.
Common Questions
Is Sigil free to download and use?
Yes, Sigil is completely free and open-source software, licensed under GPLv3. There are no trial versions, hidden features, or account creation required, making it accessible for personal, academic, and commercial use without limitations.
What operating systems are compatible with Sigil?
Sigil is a multi-platform application that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. It maintains a similar user interface across these systems, allowing for a smooth transition between platforms.
Does Sigil support both EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 formats?
Yes, Sigil offers full support for the EPUB 2 specification and extended support for EPUB 3. This allows users to work with both older and newer eBook standards, ensuring broad compatibility for their publications.
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