The FB2 file is a common format for storing, as well as for reading electronic books of various versions, was founded by a community of domestic developers. Great amount digital libraries, use it equivalent to PDF and DJVU.

The FB2 extension often includes the XML markup required for certain text elements such as chapters, headings, paragraphs, quotes, and more. May contain additional information about books, their covers and illustrations. When creating the standard, they tried to ensure its support for any computer operating system, including mobile platforms.

The main distribution of the FB2 file was in the field of fiction, in contrast to textbooks with formulas, as well as scientific publishers. Enough big number free programs, can open FB2, among the main utilities, they distinguish STDU Viewer, Ice Book Reader, as well as FBReader, CoolReader and others.

To edit the contents of the extension, you can use the following software complexes, like FictionBook Editor or FictionBook Tools, which are able to create a book with the required design. Thanks to the use of XML markup for the described file type, reading books becomes as flexible as possible, which will allow you to run it within a variety of software on the personal computer, as well as on mobile phones, smartphones and tablets. With the help of the Caliber reader, storage and editing program, you can convert books from FB2 to other formats you need.

If you are a lover or a lover of reading, and I don’t think it’s worth talking about the enormous benefits of reading, then sooner or later you will come across a book in FB2 format and here the knowledge from this article will come in handy.

FB2 file- This is such a format of books in a compressed form. In this short note, we will look at how to open the FB2.

So, if you have downloaded the book in FB2 format, then you will need special program to open this type of book. One of these is called AlReader. You can download it from the official website using the link below:

Download the archive with the program, unzip it to a convenient location on your computer.

The program does not require installation, and after unpacking the archive, we just need to open the folder with the unpacked program and run the utility through the AlReader2.

The program is running and now we can easily open FB2 files, or rather books in this format, using the menu items " File - Open File».

On the computer, we indicate where the FB2 book is located, and open it.

And now we are reading it.

Open FB2 file on computer in AlReader is one of the best options. This book reader, a version of which is also available under mobile devices very comfortable, simple and functional at the same time.

In short, in a word, if you want in FB2 format, you can safely open them in this program. If there is a desire, look for similar ones on the net, maybe you will like another program.

And I end here, I hope my note on the question of how and with what to open the FB2 file came to your aid.

Good luck, and see you in the next articles and tutorials on the site

The most common problem that prevents users from opening this file is an incorrectly assigned program. To fix this in Windows, you need to click right click on file, context menu move the mouse over the "Open with" item, and select the "Choose a program ..." item from the drop-down menu. As a result, you will see a list installed programs on your computer and you can choose the one that suits you. We also recommend checking the box next to "Use this application for all FB2 files".

Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the FB2 file is corrupted. This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was not downloaded completely as a result server errors, the file was damaged initially, etc. To fix this problem, use one of the recommendations:

  • Try to find desired file from another source on the Internet. You may be lucky to find a better version. Google search example: "File filetype:FB2" . Just replace the word "file" with the name you want;
  • Ask to send you original file again, it may have been damaged in transit;

For those who are familiar with e-books and often download them on the Internet, given format already familiar. But for those who accidentally downloaded a file of this format, this will be a slight surprise. Especially if for the first time they encountered it and just like that it turned out not to be opened. What if there is some important information? That's exactly why I wrote this article, to dot all i and find out what kind of fb2 file (and there is also fb3), how to open it and how to edit it.

To begin with, let's figure it out
What is the fb2 format file?

FB2 (FictionBook) is a format for representing electronic versions of books in the form of XML documents, where each element of the book is described by its own tags. The standard is designed to ensure compatibility with any device and format. XML makes it easy to create documents that are ready for direct use and program processing (conversion, storage, management) in any environment.
Documents, usually with the .fb2 extension, may contain structural markup of the main text elements, some information about the book, and may also contain attachments with binary files that may contain illustrations or a cover.

To put it simply, this is one of the most convenient formats for reading e-books (which is gaining popularity), especially since software for opening it also exists not only for Windows computer, but also for other distributions ( operating systems) and for smartphones (also different OSes).

Also, there is also fb3 format. Dry characteristic with office. site what is the difference between fb3 and fb2 hidden under a spoiler
Main differences from fb2 are not in the realm of ideology, but in the realm of technological solutions.

The Fb3 file is now essentially a zip archive, in which meta-information, pictures and text are packed in separate files.
- Zip file format requirements and file naming conventions, placement and organization are described in ECMA-376 Part 2
- Meta-information is placed in a separate file, the body of the book and footnotes - in another file
- All pictures are taken out of XML and are, ultimately, files in the archive
- Document links to files are not carried out through xlink, but in accordance with the mechanism of relations described in OPF (Relationships)
- In addition to a number of minor innovations in formatting (spacing, underlining), a fundamentally new “block” object is added, which falls out of the general flow of the document and forms an arbitrary fragment of the book in the form of a quadrangle, which can have a border, be embedded in the text with wrapping and have some other placement features .
- Some tags that have semantic counterparts in HTML will be renamed, for example, emphasis will turn into em.


Well, for me, it's like everything new - the same, only better.

How (how) to open a fb2 file?

There are several programs to open. this format. Although they are not intended specifically for him, they simply support the opening of the same format. These programs can be used as a convenient "reader" for reading books (taftology turned out). I will consider only the most popular and worthy of attention.

FBReader- the main program for opening and reading fb2 and fb3 files.


HaaliReader- FB2 reader for regular Windows and Windows CE.


AlReader- Reads and edits texts in FB2 format on computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP and higher
which does not work and is NOT well Russian and working.


Cool Reader- easy to read large files. But basically the same as everyone else.


STDU Viewer- a small handy program for reading e-books, including fb2.


ICE Book Reader Professional- is also worthy of attention and consideration.


More programs with which you can open this file format: Athenaeum,

Viewed? Downloaded? Well done...
And here are a couple of options for perverts curious:

1) You can open this file with regular Word (because it is an XML document), if you don't like the tags, save as RTF-document, and then in the usual DOC. Click on the document, choose from the Word list. Or right click on it and select To open with... and choose Word.
The disadvantages of such a conversion are:
1- if pictures were inserted into *.fb2, they will NOT be displayed in Word;
2- most likely you will want (but this is optional) to format the text because it turns out ... umm ... like a bunch of lines and sentences. Not so nice in general.

2) You can simply rename the file extension from fb2 on the htm or doc or rtf, and then open this file using the same Word (if rtf or doc) or using your browser (in the case of htm extension). The disadvantages are the same as in the previous version.

It will be easier, you don't need to download programs, but you will only get black text on a white background. In general, you choose how to open the fb2 format.

How to edit an fb2 file?

You can use the same AlReader as above or ICE Book Reader Professional.

You can use special utility FictionBook Editor.


Developer: Hose, KVS (LitRes)()
Program Status: For administrative use
Interface: Russian English
Version: 2.6 (build 05 Oct 2010)
System: Windows 2K/XP/Vista/7
Format: FB2

The archive contains instructions and the program itself.

How to convert to FB2 file format?
It will be useful for those who want to create their own fb2 book.