You can gift an Audible book directly through the Audible app or website, and the recipient gets a code to redeem it on their own account
Audible lets you send a book to someone without needing their account details or password. The person you're gifting to receives a code via email, clicks it, and adds the book to their library. The process takes a few minutes and works whether the recipient already has an Audible account or is brand new to the service.
You'll need an active Audible account and a valid payment method on file. The recipient needs a valid email address — they don't need to be an Audible member yet, though they'll need to create an account or sign in to redeem the code.
Key Takeaways
- You send the gift code through Audible's website or app, and Audible emails it directly to the recipient's email address.
- The recipient has 365 days from the date you send the gift to redeem the code before it expires.
- You can gift any audiobook in Audible's catalog except for certain exclusions like some Audible Plus catalog titles or books the recipient already owns.
- The gift costs the same as buying the book outright for yourself, and the charge appears on your account immediately.
- Once redeemed, the book belongs to the recipient's account and they can listen on any device where they have the Audible app installed.
How to send a gift through the Audible website
Open audible.com and sign into your account. Search for the book you want to gift using the search bar at the top of the page. When you find it, click the title to open the book's detail page.
Look for a button labeled "Send as a Gift" — it's usually near the "Buy Now" button. Click it. You'll see a form asking for the recipient's email address, your name (how you want to appear on the gift), and an optional personal message. Fill in these fields and review the price to confirm you're comfortable with the charge.
Click the final confirmation button. Audible processes the order immediately and sends an email to the recipient's address with a redemption code and a link. The charge appears on your account right away, even if the recipient hasn't redeemed the code yet.
How to send a gift through the Audible app
Open the Audible app on your phone or tablet and sign in. Search for the book you want to gift. Tap the book title to open its detail page.
Look for a "Gift" button or icon — the exact location varies slightly between iOS and Android, but it's usually near the purchase button. Tap it. You'll see the same form as the website: recipient's email, your name, and an optional message. Enter the details and confirm the purchase.
The app sends the gift code to the recipient's email immediately. If you're using an older version of the Audible app, the gift option might not appear — in that case, use the website instead or update the app from your device's app store.
What happens when the recipient redeems the code
The recipient receives an email from Audible with the subject line "You've received an Audible gift" and a button or link to redeem the code. They click the link, which takes them to Audible's website or app.
If they don't have an Audible account yet, they'll be asked to create one or sign in with an existing Amazon account. Once signed in, they click the redeem button and the book is added to their library immediately. They can start listening right away on any device where they have the Audible app — phone, tablet, computer, or compatible smart speaker.
The book stays in their library permanently, just like any book they purchased themselves. They can't return it or transfer it to another account, but they can listen to it as many times as they want.
Books you cannot gift and why
Most Audible books can be gifted, but a few categories have restrictions. Audible Plus catalog titles — audiobooks included free with an Audible Plus subscription — cannot be sent as gifts. Some audiobooks published by certain authors or publishers also have gifting disabled, though this is less common.
You also cannot gift a book to someone who already owns it on their account. If you try, Audible will show you an error message and suggest an alternative book instead. This prevents accidental duplicate purchases.
If you're unsure whether a specific book can be gifted, the "Send as a Gift" button will either appear or be grayed out on the book's detail page. If it's grayed out, that book isn't available for gifting.
What to know about gift codes and expiration
The recipient has one year from the date you send the gift to redeem the code. After 365 days, the code expires and becomes unusable. If the recipient misses the deadline, the code cannot be reactivated, and you would need to send a new gift.
The code itself is unique to that gift and that recipient — it can't be used by anyone else or transferred. If the recipient's email address is incorrect, they won't receive the code. You can't resend a code through Audible's system, so if the email bounces, contact Audible's customer service with your order number and ask them to resend it to the correct address.
Gift codes work only on Audible accounts in the same region where you purchased the gift. If you're in the United States and send a gift to someone in the United Kingdom, they'll need to redeem it on audible.co.uk, not audible.com. Check the recipient's location before sending.
Pricing and payment for audiobook gifts
An Audible gift costs the same as buying the audiobook for yourself. Prices vary by title — most range from $15 to $35, though some longer or premium titles cost more. You pay the full price at the time you send the gift, not when the recipient redeems it.
The charge appears on your Audible account and on your credit card or payment method immediately. If you have an Audible Plus subscription, gifting does not use a credit from your monthly plan — you pay the full retail price instead.
Audible does not offer gift cards or store credit that you can send to someone to choose their own book. The only gifting option is to select a specific audiobook and send it directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a gift to someone who doesn't have an Audible account yet?
Yes. The recipient can be completely new to Audible. When they click the redemption link in the email, they'll be prompted to create an account or sign in with an Amazon account. Once they do, the book is added to their library and they can start listening immediately.
What if I send a gift to the wrong email address?
Contact Audible customer service with your order number. They can resend the code to a different email address, but only if you contact them before the recipient tries to redeem the original code. After redemption, the code cannot be transferred.
Can the recipient return or exchange the gifted book?
No. Once a gift is redeemed, it belongs to the recipient's account permanently and cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded. The recipient should choose carefully before redeeming, though in practice most people listen to the book they receive.
Do I need to know the recipient's Audible account details to send a gift?
No. You only need their email address. Audible handles the rest — the recipient receives the code by email and redeems it on their own account without you needing any of their login information.
Can I schedule a gift to send on a specific date?
Audible does not have a scheduled gifting feature. The gift code is sent immediately when you complete the purchase. If you want to send a gift on a future date, you'll need to send it on that date manually.