You can gift an Audible book directly through the Audible website or app, and the recipient gets a code they redeem for the title you chose
Audible lets you send a specific audiobook to someone without needing to know their account details. You pick the book, pay for it, and Audible generates a gift code that the recipient redeems on their own account — or creates a new one if they don't have Audible yet. The process takes about five minutes and works whether you're gifting to someone across the country or across the table.
The recipient doesn't have to be an Audible member when you send the gift. They can redeem the code whenever they want, and the book lands in their library when ready. If they already have an Audible account, the book straightforward adds to what they own. If they don't, they'll set up an account during the redemption process.
Key Takeaways
- You send a gift code, not a direct message — the recipient redeems it on their own account or creates one during redemption.
- You can gift any audiobook available on Audible, and the price you pay is the current Audible price for that title, not necessarily the retail price.
- The recipient receives an email with the gift code and a link to redeem it, or you can copy the code and send it yourself through text, email, or any other method.
- Audible gift codes do not expire, so there is no rush for the recipient to redeem them.
- You cannot gift a book to someone who already owns that specific title on their Audible account.
How to send a gift through the Audible website
Open Audible.com and search for the book you want to gift. Click on the title to open its detail page. Below the "Buy Now" button, you'll see a link or button that says "Give as a Gift" — click that instead of "Buy Now".
Audible will ask you to choose how you want to send the gift. You can have Audible email the gift code directly to the recipient, or you can choose to receive the code yourself and send it however you prefer. If you choose the email option, enter the recipient's email address and add a personal message if you want. If you choose to receive the code, Audible will show it to you on screen and in your email confirmation — copy it and send it to the recipient through text, email, or any other method.
Complete the purchase using your payment method. You'll see the gift code when ready, and if you chose the email option, Audible sends the code to the recipient's inbox within a few minutes. The recipient can redeem the code right away or wait — codes don't expire.
How to send a gift through the Audible app
Open the Audible app on your phone or tablet and search for the book you want to gift. Tap the title to open its detail page. Look for a "Gift" button or icon — on most versions it appears near the "Buy" button. Tap it.
The app will show you the same options as the website: send the code directly to the recipient's email, or receive the code yourself. Enter the recipient's email if you're using the direct-send option, add a message if you want, and complete the purchase. If you're receiving the code yourself, the app will display it and send a copy to your email — you can then forward that code however you choose.
The app process is identical to the website in every way except the layout. You'll pay the same price and the recipient redeems the code the same way.
What the recipient sees and how they redeem the code
The recipient receives an email from Audible with the gift code and a link to redeem it. The email includes the book title, the sender's name, and any personal message you added. They can click the link in the email, or they can go to Audible.com, sign in to their account (or create one), and enter the code manually.
If they don't have an Audible account yet, clicking the redemption link takes them through account setup. They'll enter an email address, create a password, and add a payment method — Audible requires a valid payment method on file even though the gifted book is free. Once the account is set up, the book appears in their library when ready.
If they already have an Audible account, they sign in, go to the redemption page, enter the code, and the book adds to their library. The whole process takes less than a minute for an existing member.
Pricing and what you actually pay
The price you pay for a gift is the current Audible price for that book, not the publisher's list price. Audible frequently discounts audiobooks, and those discounts explore to gifts. If a book is on sale for $9.99 when you send the gift, you pay $9.99 — not the full $14.99 retail price.
Some audiobooks are included free with an Audible Plus subscription. You cannot gift those titles — they're only available to active Plus members. If you try to gift a Plus-only book, Audible will tell you it's not available for gifting and suggest other titles instead.
You pay for the gift at the time you send it, using the payment method on your Audible account. The recipient doesn't pay anything, and they don't need a payment method to redeem the code — though Audible will ask them to add one during account setup if they don't have an account yet.
When gifting doesn't work and what to do instead
You cannot gift a book to someone who already owns that title on their Audible account. Audible checks the recipient's library before allowing the gift, so if they've already purchased or received that audiobook, the gift will be rejected. If this happens, choose a different book or consider a gift card instead.
Audible gift cards work differently — you buy a card for a dollar amount, and the recipient uses it to buy any audiobook they want. You can purchase gift cards on Audible.com in amounts from $10 to $500, and Audible will email the card code to the recipient or to you. This is useful if you're not sure which book someone wants, or if they already own the title you had in mind.
If the recipient's email address is wrong or they don't receive the code email, you can resend it from your Audible account. Go to your purchase history, find the gift, and select "Resend Gift" — Audible will email the code again to the address you specify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I gift an audiobook to someone outside the United States?
Audible's gifting feature works in most countries where Audible operates, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others. The recipient must have an email address and be able to access Audible.com in their country. If the recipient is in a country where Audible doesn't operate, the code won't work.
What happens if the recipient never redeems the code?
The code doesn't expire, so the book stays available to them indefinitely. They can redeem it months or years later and the book will still be there. You don't get a refund if they never use it — once you've sent the gift, the purchase is final.
Can I gift a book to myself?
Audible allows you to send a gift code to your own email address, though there's no practical reason to do so — you'd be paying for a book you could buy directly. If you want to purchase a book for your own account, use the "Buy Now" button instead.
Do I need an Audible membership to send a gift?
No. You can purchase and send an Audible audiobook gift without being an Audible member. You'll need to create an Audible account to complete the purchase, but you don't need an active subscription or membership plan.
Can the recipient gift the book to someone else after they receive it?
No. Once a book is in someone's Audible library, they can listen to it but not gift it forward. Gifting is a one-time transaction — the recipient owns the book but cannot transfer it to another person.