How to Format a Book for Amazon KDP: Complete Guide (2026)
Master Kindle eBook and paperback formatting with step-by-step instructions. Learn trim sizes, margins, bleed, image specs, and avoid common mistakes that get manuscripts rejected.
You've written your book, but before you can publish on Amazon KDP, you need to format it correctly. Poor formatting is one of the top reasons manuscripts get rejected or receive negative reviews. The good news? With the right guidance, formatting is straightforward.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn exactly how to format both Kindle eBooks and KDP paperbacks. We'll cover trim sizes, margins, bleed requirements, image optimization, and the most common formatting mistakes that trip up new authors. Whether you're publishing fiction, non-fiction, or low-content books, this guide has you covered.
Pro Tip: If you want a detailed walkthrough of the entire KDP formatting and publishing process, including advanced formatting techniques and troubleshooting tips Let's Get Digital: How To Self-Publish by David Gaughran covers this in detail.
Understanding KDP Format Types
Amazon KDP supports three main book formats, each with different formatting requirements:
📱 Kindle eBook
- • Reflowable or fixed-layout
- • DOCX, EPUB, HTML accepted
- • 70% or 35% royalty options
- • Instant delivery to readers
- • No printing costs
📖 Paperback
- • Print-on-demand
- • PDF required for upload
- • Multiple trim sizes available
- • Black & white or color interior
- • 60% royalty (list price - costs)
📚 Hardcover
- • Premium option
- • Same PDF as paperback
- • Limited trim sizes
- • Higher production costs
- • 60% royalty (list price - costs)
Pro Tip: Most authors publish both Kindle and paperback versions. The eBook reaches readers instantly and costs nothing to produce, while the paperback appeals to readers who prefer physical books and can be sold at a higher price point.
Kindle eBook Formatting: Step-by-Step
1. Choose Your File Format
Amazon accepts multiple file formats, but some work better than others:
DOCX (Recommended)
Microsoft Word format. Best for most books. Amazon's conversion is excellent.
EPUB (Advanced)
Industry standard. Best for complex layouts or if you need precise control.
PDF (Not Recommended)
Doesn't reflow properly on different devices. Only use for fixed-layout books.
2. Set Up Your Document Correctly
Font & Typography
- • Body text: 11-12pt serif font (Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia)
- • Line spacing: 1.15 or 1.5 (avoid single spacing)
- • Paragraph spacing: 0pt before, 6-12pt after
- • Alignment: Left-aligned (not justified) for best readability
- • First line indent: 0.3-0.5 inches (except first paragraph of chapters)
Chapter Formatting
- • Use Heading 1 style for chapter titles (creates automatic TOC)
- • Insert Page Break before each new chapter (not multiple returns)
- • Center or left-align chapter headings
- • Use 18-24pt font size for chapter titles
- • Add 2-3 blank lines after chapter heading before body text
Images & Graphics
- • Format: JPG (photos) or PNG (graphics with transparency)
- • Resolution: 72 DPI minimum, 300 DPI for high-quality
- • Size: Minimum 600px on shortest side, keep under 127KB per image
- • Placement: Inline with text, not wrapped or floating
- • Total file size: Keep entire eBook under 650MB
✓ Formatting Checklist for Kindle eBooks
- ✓ Use Word styles (Heading 1, Normal) instead of manual formatting
- ✓ Page breaks before chapters (not multiple returns)
- ✓ No headers/footers (they don't work in eBooks)
- ✓ No page numbers (eBooks reflow dynamically)
- ✓ Hyperlinked table of contents
- ✓ All images optimized and under 127KB
- ✓ Copyright page with publication date and ISBN (if applicable)
📖 Recommended: Published.: The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold
by Chandler Bolt
Master the complete publishing process with proven systems. Learn professional formatting workflows, publishing checklists, and the exact processes used by successful indie authors.
View on AmazonKDP Paperback Formatting Guide
Paperback formatting is more technical than eBooks because you're creating a fixed-size PDF. Here's everything you need to know:
1. Choose Your Trim Size
Trim size is the final dimensions of your printed book. Choose based on your genre and content:
| Trim Size | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 × 8" | Fiction novels | Compact, portable, lower printing costs |
| 5.5 × 8.5" | Fiction, memoirs | Slightly larger, comfortable reading |
| 6 × 9" | Non-fiction, textbooks | Most popular, professional look |
| 8.5 × 11" | Workbooks, journals | Large format, higher printing costs |
| 8.5 × 8.5" | Photo books, children's books | Square format, premium feel |
Cost Tip: Smaller trim sizes (5×8, 5.5×8.5) have lower printing costs, which means higher royalties per sale. Use our KDP Print Cost Calculator to compare costs across different trim sizes.
2. Set Up Margins Correctly
Margins are critical for paperbacks. Too narrow and text gets cut off during binding. Here are KDP's minimum requirements:
Top, Bottom, Outside Margins
Minimum: 0.25 inches (6.35mm) for all trim sizes
Inside Margin (Gutter)
Varies by page count (more pages = wider gutter for binding):
- • 24-150 pages: 0.375" (9.5mm)
- • 151-300 pages: 0.5" (12.7mm)
- • 301-500 pages: 0.625" (15.9mm)
- • 501-828 pages: 0.75" (19mm)
Recommended: Add an extra 0.125" to all margins for safety. This prevents text from appearing too close to the edge and gives your book a more professional look.
3. Bleed Requirements
Bleed is the extra area beyond the trim edge where images or colors extend. This ensures no white edges appear after trimming.
❌ No Bleed Needed
- • Text-only books
- • White backgrounds only
- • No images extending to edge
- • No background colors
✓ Bleed Required
- • Full-page images
- • Background colors/patterns
- • Images touching page edge
- • Bleed size: 0.125" (3.2mm)
Important: If you choose bleed, your document size must be trim size + 0.25" (0.125" on each side). For a 6×9" book with bleed, your PDF should be 6.25" × 9.25".
4. Interior Type & Color
Black & White Interior
Best for: Novels, most non-fiction, text-heavy books
Cost: $0.012 per page (24-828 pages)
Standard Color Interior
Best for: Children's books, cookbooks, photo books
Cost: $0.06 per page (24-828 pages)
Premium Color Interior
Best for: Art books, premium photo books
Cost: $0.085 per page (24-828 pages, limited trim sizes)
10 Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Multiple Returns Instead of Page Breaks
Pressing Enter multiple times to start a new page breaks when text reflows on different devices. Always use Insert → Page Break in Word.
2. Manual Formatting Instead of Styles
Manually bolding or enlarging chapter titles instead of using Heading styles breaks the automatic table of contents and makes formatting inconsistent.
3. Including Headers/Footers in eBooks
Headers and footers don't work in eBooks—they'll appear as random text throughout your book. Remove them before uploading.
4. Wrong Trim Size for Genre
Using 8.5×11" for a novel looks unprofessional and costs more to print. Match your trim size to industry standards for your genre.
5. Insufficient Gutter Margins
Text too close to the spine gets lost in the binding. Always use KDP's minimum gutter margins based on your page count.
6. Oversized Images in eBooks
Large images slow download times and can cause upload failures. Compress images to under 127KB each and keep total file size under 650MB.
7. No Bleed When Required
If your paperback has images or colors extending to the edge, you MUST include 0.125" bleed. Otherwise, you'll see white edges after trimming.
8. Inconsistent Chapter Formatting
Some chapters centered, others left-aligned. Some with page breaks, others without. Consistency is key to a professional look.
9. Not Testing Before Publishing
Skipping Kindle Previewer for eBooks or not ordering a proof copy for paperbacks. Always test your formatting on actual devices before going live.
10. Forgetting Front/Back Matter
Missing copyright page, table of contents, or "About the Author" section. These elements make your book look professional and help with discoverability. Check our KDP publishing checklist for all required elements.
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Final Thoughts
Proper formatting is the foundation of a professional-looking book. While it might seem technical at first, following these guidelines ensures your manuscript passes KDP's review process and provides readers with a great reading experience.
Remember: formatting is just one piece of the publishing puzzle. You also need to optimize your keywords for discoverability, choose the right categories, and create a compelling cover design. For a complete launch strategy, check out our 15-step KDP publishing checklist.
Quick Formatting Checklist:
Kindle eBooks:
- Use DOCX or EPUB format
- Apply Heading 1 to chapter titles
- Insert page breaks before chapters
- Optimize all images (under 127KB)
- Remove headers/footers
- Test in Kindle Previewer
Paperbacks:
- Choose appropriate trim size
- Set correct gutter margins
- Add bleed if needed (0.125")
- Export as high-quality PDF
- Order proof copy
- Check binding and trim quality
Ready to Format Your Book?
Use our free tools to calculate printing costs, estimate royalties, and ensure your book meets all KDP requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file format should I use for KDP eBooks?
Amazon accepts DOCX, DOC, HTML, MOBI, EPUB, RTF, and TXT files. For best results, use DOCX (Microsoft Word) or EPUB. Amazon's conversion process works best with clean DOCX files that use styles instead of manual formatting.
What are the standard trim sizes for KDP paperbacks?
The most popular KDP paperback trim sizes are 6×9 inches (standard non-fiction), 5.5×8.5 inches (novels), and 8.5×11 inches (workbooks). Choose based on your genre: fiction typically uses 5×8 or 5.5×8.5, while non-fiction often uses 6×9.
Do I need bleed for my KDP paperback?
Yes, if your book has images, background colors, or any design elements that extend to the page edge. KDP requires 0.125 inches (3.2mm) of bleed on all sides. For text-only books with white backgrounds, bleed is not required.
What margins should I use for KDP books?
For paperbacks, use minimum margins of 0.25 inches (top, bottom, outside) and calculate the inside margin based on page count: 0.375 inches for 24-150 pages, 0.5 inches for 151-300 pages, 0.625 inches for 301-500 pages, and 0.75 inches for 501-828 pages.
Can I use images in my KDP eBook?
Yes, but optimize them first. Use JPG format at 72 DPI for photos and PNG for graphics with transparency. Keep file sizes under 127KB per image and total eBook size under 650MB. Images should be at least 600 pixels on the shortest side for quality display.
How do I format chapter headings for KDP?
Use Word's built-in Heading styles (Heading 1 for chapters, Heading 2 for sections). This ensures proper navigation in the Kindle table of contents. Apply consistent formatting: centered or left-aligned, 18-24pt font size, with page breaks before each new chapter.
What's the difference between reflowable and fixed-layout eBooks?
Reflowable eBooks (standard) adjust text size and layout based on reader preferences and device. Fixed-layout eBooks maintain exact page design, ideal for children's books, cookbooks, or heavily illustrated content. Most fiction and non-fiction should use reflowable format.
How do I preview my formatted book before publishing?
Use Amazon's free Kindle Previewer tool to see how your eBook looks on different devices. For paperbacks, order a proof copy ($2-5) to check formatting, margins, and print quality before making your book available to customers. Always test on multiple devices.
📚 Master Book Formatting & Publishing
These books will help you create professional-looking books that readers love:
by David Gaughran
The definitive guide to KDP publishing - formatting, design, and building a sustainable author business
by Chandler Bolt
Build professional publishing systems with proven formatting workflows that scale
by Sam Kerns
Current formatting and publishing best practices updated for 2025
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