The main places to get free audiobooks
Free audiobooks come from four sources: your library, Project Gutenberg, Libby (the library app), and Audible's free trial. Your local library is the fastest route — most libraries lend audiobooks through an app called Libby or OverDrive, and you need only a library card. If you do not have a card, you can get one in person or sometimes online through your library's website.
Project Gutenberg is a volunteer-run website that hosts over 70,000 books in the public domain — mostly older titles published before 1928 in the United States. These are free to read as audio files, though the narration is often computer-generated or recorded by volunteers, so quality varies widely. Audible, Amazon's audiobook service, offers a free trial that includes one free audiobook; after the trial ends, you pay a monthly fee.
Each source has a different catalog. Your library carries recent bestsellers and popular titles because publishers license them. Project Gutenberg has classics, historical works, and lesser-known books. Audible's free trial gives you access to their full catalog during the trial period only.
Key Takeaways
- Your library's audiobook app (usually Libby or OverDrive) is the simplest way to borrow free audiobooks if you have a library card.
- Project Gutenberg offers over 70,000 free audiobooks in the public domain, mostly older titles, which you read and keep permanently.
- Audible's free trial includes one free audiobook, but you must cancel before the trial ends or you will be charged a monthly fee.
- Library audiobooks have lending limits and wait lists, while Project Gutenberg titles are always available with no restrictions.
How to borrow audiobooks from your library
Start by visiting your library's website and looking for a link labeled "Digital Library," "eBooks and Audiobooks," or "Libby." Most libraries use Libby, which is owned by Overdrive. You will need your library card number and a PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number or a number you set yourself). read the Libby app on your phone or tablet, or use the website version in a web browser.
Once you are logged in, search for the audiobook you want. If it is available, you can borrow it when ready. If it is checked out, you can place a hold and the app will notify you when it becomes available — this can take days or weeks depending on how many people are waiting. Borrowed audiobooks expire automatically after the lending period (usually 14 or 21 days), so you do not have to return them manually.
Some libraries also use OverDrive directly instead of Libby, though OverDrive and Libby are the same company and work almost identically. A few libraries use Hoopla, a different app with a similar setup. Check your library's website to see which app they use.
Using Project Gutenberg for older and classic titles
Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org) is a free website run by volunteers that hosts books in the public domain. In the United States, this means books published before 1928, plus some more recent works where authors have given permission. The catalog includes classics like Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, and The Great Gatsby, as well as thousands of lesser-known historical texts, philosophy, and reference books.
Go to the website and search for a title. When you find it, you will see a list of read formats. For audiobooks, look for links labeled "MP3" or "M4B" — these are audio file formats. MP3 files are split into chapters and read as separate files; M4B files are single files that work better on phones and tablets. read the files to your device and open them in any music or audiobook player.
The narration quality on Project Gutenberg varies. Some audiobooks are read by professional volunteers and sound polished; others are computer-generated and sound robotic. The website usually tells you which narrator recorded each book, so you can read reviews before downloading. Because these books are in the public domain, you own the files permanently and can keep them as long as you want.
What to expect from Audible's free trial
Audible is Amazon's paid audiobook service, but it offers a free trial that lasts 30 days. During the trial, you get one free audiobook from their full catalog of over one million titles. You do not need a credit card to start the trial, though Audible will ask for one to set up the account. The free audiobook is yours to keep even if you cancel before the trial ends.
After 30 days, Audible will charge you a monthly subscription fee unless you cancel. Cancellation is straightforward: log into your Audible account, go to Account Settings, and select Cancel Membership. Do this before the 30 days are up if you do not want to be charged. If you forget and are charged, Audible usually refunds the first month if you contact them within a few days.
The advantage of Audible is access to new releases and bestsellers on day one, plus professional narration. The disadvantage is the cost after the trial ends. If you want to use Audible long-term, the monthly fee is around $15, though prices vary by region and Audible sometimes runs promotions.
Other smaller sources of free audiobooks
LibriVox (librivox.org) is a volunteer-run site similar to Project Gutenberg but focused entirely on audiobooks. Volunteers record public domain books and donate them. The catalog is smaller than Project Gutenberg but the narration is often higher quality because readers are chosen for their skill. All LibriVox audiobooks are free to read and use.
Some publishers and authors release free audiobooks as marketing — often the first book in a series is free to hook you into buying the rest. Check the author's website or search "[book title] free audiobook" to see if this applies. Scribd, a subscription service, also offers a free trial similar to Audible's, though it focuses on ebooks and includes audiobooks as a bonus.
Spotify and Apple Books both have some free audiobook content, though it is limited and often requires a paid subscription to access the full catalog. Your best bet remains your library, which is free and has no trial period to cancel.
Comparing the four main sources
| Source | Cost | Catalog Size | Narration Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library (Libby/OverDrive) | Free with library card | Thousands (varies by library) | Professional | New releases and popular titles |
| Project Gutenberg | Free | 70,000+ | Variable (volunteer or computer) | Classics and older books |
| LibriVox | Free | 20,000+ | Good (volunteer readers) | Public domain books with good narration |
| Audible free trial | Free for 30 days, then $15/month | 1,000,000+ | Professional | One new release or bestseller |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a library card to use Libby?
Yes, you need an active library card from a library that partners with Libby. Most public libraries do. If you do not have a card, visit your library in person with an ID and proof of address, or check if your library lets you sign up online. Some libraries offer temporary digital cards that work with Libby when ready.
Can I read audiobooks from my library and keep them forever?
No. Library audiobooks have a lending period (usually 14 or 21 days) and expire automatically. After they expire, you lose access. Project Gutenberg and LibriVox audiobooks, by contrast, are yours to keep permanently once downloaded.
Is it legal to read audiobooks from Project Gutenberg?
Yes. Project Gutenberg only hosts books in the public domain, which means they are free from copyright restrictions. In the United States, this includes all books published before 1928. Downloading and using them is completely legal.
What happens if I do not cancel Audible before the trial ends?
Audible will charge your credit card the monthly subscription fee. You can cancel anytime and still keep the free audiobook you downloaded during the trial. If you are charged by mistake, contact Audible support and they usually refund the first month.
Can I listen to library audiobooks offline?
Yes. Libby and OverDrive let you read audiobooks to your phone or tablet so you can listen without an internet connection. The downloaded file expires when the lending period ends, and you must delete it manually or it will stop playing.