Amazon KDP Cover Design Requirements & Best Practices 2026
Master KDP cover requirements including exact dimensions, file formats, and design best practices. Ensure your book cover meets Amazon standards and attracts readers.
Your book cover is the single most important marketing asset you have. It's the first thing readers see, and it takes just 2-3 seconds for them to decide whether to click on your book or scroll past it.
Amazon KDP has specific technical requirements for cover files, and failing to meet them can delay your publication or result in a rejected upload. But beyond meeting the minimum requirements, your cover needs to stand out in a crowded marketplace and clearly communicate your book's genre and value.
This comprehensive guide covers everything from design principles and genre conventions to hiring designers and DIY tools. Whether you're working with a professional or creating your own cover, you'll learn exactly what makes a cover sell. For a complete pre-launch checklist, see our 15-step KDP publishing guide.
Pro Tip: Your cover is your most important marketing asset. Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran covers this in detail.
eBook Cover Requirements
Official KDP Specifications
Dimensions
- Minimum: 1000px (shortest side)
- Recommended: 1600 x 2560px
- Ideal: 2560 x 4096px (high-res)
- Aspect Ratio: 1:1.6 (height to width)
File Specifications
- Format: JPEG or TIFF
- Color Mode: RGB (not CMYK)
- Max File Size: 50MB
- Resolution: 72 DPI minimum
Pro Tip: Go High-Resolution
Use 2560 x 4096px for best quality. Amazon displays covers at various sizes, and high-res covers look sharper on Kindle Fire tablets and in the Look Inside preview.
Paperback Cover Requirements
More Complex Than eBooks
Paperback covers are more complex because they include the front cover, spine, and back cover in one file. The exact dimensions depend on your page count and trim size. Use our Print Cost Calculator to determine your book's spine width based on page count.
Popular Trim Sizes
| Trim Size | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 5" x 8" | Fiction, Memoirs | Most novels |
| 6" x 9" | Non-fiction, Textbooks | Business books |
| 8.5" x 11" | Workbooks, Cookbooks | Activity books |
File Specifications
- • Format: PDF only
- • Color Mode: RGB for color covers, Grayscale for B&W
- • Resolution: 300 DPI (required)
- • Bleed: 0.125" (3.2mm) on all sides
- • Safe Zone: Keep text/logos 0.25" from trim edges
Use Amazon's Cover Calculator
Don't guess dimensions! Use KDP's Cover Calculator to get exact measurements based on your page count and trim size. It provides a template with guides for spine width and bleed.
Access Cover Calculator →Cover Design Best Practices
1. Match Your Genre Conventions
Every genre has visual conventions that readers expect. Romance covers feature couples, thrillers use dark colors and bold typography, fantasy shows magical elements. Study bestsellers in your category and match their style.
Genre-Specific Tips:
- • Romance: Couples, warm colors, script fonts
- • Thriller: Dark tones, bold sans-serif, tension
- • Fantasy: Magical imagery, ornate fonts, rich colors
- • Non-Fiction: Clean, professional, clear value proposition
2. Test at Thumbnail Size
Most readers see your cover as a tiny thumbnail (120px wide). Your title and main imagery must be readable at this size. If it's not clear at thumbnail size, redesign it.
Thumbnail Test Checklist:
- • Can you read the title from 6 feet away?
- • Is the main image recognizable?
- • Does it stand out from competitors?
- • Is the genre immediately clear?
3. Typography Matters
Your title font should be large, bold, and high-contrast. Avoid thin fonts, script fonts (unless romance), and low-contrast color combinations. White or yellow text on dark backgrounds works best for readability.
Font Guidelines:
- • Title should be 30-40% of cover height
- • Use maximum 2-3 fonts total
- • Ensure high contrast with background
- • Add subtle drop shadow or outline for clarity
4. Use Professional Images
Never use low-quality or pixelated images. Use stock photos from reputable sites (Depositphotos, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock) or hire a designer. Free stock photos often look amateurish.
Image Resources:
- • Depositphotos (affordable, high-quality)
- • Shutterstock (premium, extensive library)
- • Adobe Stock (integrated with design tools)
- • BookBrush (pre-made book cover templates)
📖 Recommended: Published.: The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold
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Learn how successful authors approach cover design, branding, and visual marketing.
Common Cover Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Too Much Text
Cluttered covers with subtitles, taglines, and author quotes are unreadable at thumbnail size. Keep it simple: title, author name, and one strong image.
❌ Wrong Color Mode
Uploading CMYK files instead of RGB causes color shifts. Always convert to RGB before uploading to KDP. For print, use RGB—Amazon converts to CMYK automatically.
❌ Ignoring Bleed and Safe Zones
For paperbacks, text or important elements too close to the edge will be cut off during trimming. Always keep critical elements 0.25" from trim edges.
❌ Low Resolution
Using images under 300 DPI for print or under 1600px for eBooks results in blurry, pixelated covers that look unprofessional and hurt sales.
❌ Not Matching Genre
A literary fiction cover with cartoon graphics or a romance cover with dark thriller aesthetics confuses readers and kills conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same cover for eBook and paperback?
For the front cover image, yes. But paperback covers require a full wrap (front, spine, back) in PDF format. You'll need to create a separate file for paperback that includes the spine and back cover.
Do I need to hire a designer?
Not necessarily, but professional covers sell better. If you use DIY tools like Canva or BookBrush, study bestselling covers in your genre and match their quality. Budget $50-300 for a professional designer if possible.
Can I change my cover after publishing?
Yes! You can update your cover anytime through KDP. Changes typically take 24-72 hours. Many authors test different covers to see which converts better.
What if my cover gets rejected?
Amazon will email you with the reason. Common issues: wrong dimensions, low resolution, CMYK instead of RGB, or content policy violations. Fix the issue and re-upload.
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📚 Master Cover Design & Branding
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by David Gaughran
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by Chandler Bolt
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