Questions, answered
The short answers to what readers and authors ask most.
Updated
What is ao3.life?
An independent archive of works from the Archive of Our Own (15,831,236 today): searchable by fandom, ship, character and trope, readable in the browser, downloadable as EPUB, and available as audiobooks. It is not affiliated with AO3 or the Organization for Transformative Works.
Is AO3 down?
AO3 went offline on 29 October 2026. On 30 October the OTW reported a security incident and estimated two to four weeks before the site is fully back, possibly returning read-only first. Check otwstatus.org for the live status.
Is ao3.life free?
Browsing, searching, reading in the browser and downloading EPUBs are free. Reading and downloading need a free sign-in with your email. Audiobooks start with a free three-minute preview; the full audiobook is paid.
Do I need an account to read or download?
No. Reading and EPUB downloads are open to everyone. Signing in (an emailed link; ao3.life never asks for your AO3 password) gives you faster downloads, a library on every device, and audiobook previews.
Can I post, comment or leave kudos?
No. ao3.life is for reading. When AO3 is back, please leave kudos and comments for the authors there.
Are the works up to date?
Works are copies as they were when saved, so chapters posted afterwards may be missing. Each work page links to the original on AO3.
How do I download a fic as EPUB?
Open the work and tap Download EPUB. The file opens in Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo and KOReader, and Kindle accepts it through Send to Kindle.
How do the audiobooks work?
Tap Listen now? on any work. Signed-in readers hear the first three minutes free; after that you can buy the full audiobook, which plays chapter by chapter. Narration is computer-generated.
Why are some works hidden behind an age check?
Every work not rated General or Teen, and any work with an Underage warning, shows only its fandom, rating and length until you confirm you are of legal age in your country (18 or 21). These works are also kept out of search engines.
I can’t find a fic I remember. Can you help?
Search a few words you are sure of (character names, an unusual word from the summary, a trope), use the filters, and check your browser history and downloads.
I wrote one of these works. How do I remove it?
Email legal@ao3.life with the work’s link or AO3 id and proof it is yours, such as writing from the email on your AO3 account. It is removed from search, tags, its page, downloads and audio.
Does ao3.life have works from FanFiction.Net, Wattpad or other sites?
No. Only works confirmed to come from AO3 are shown.