KDP Print Cost Calculator

Calculate your Amazon KDP printing costs and royalties for paperback and hardcover books. Supports all 14 trim sizes, black & white or color printing, and 9 global marketplaces.

14 Trim Sizes

From 5" x 8" to 8.5" x 11", calculate costs for every trim size Amazon KDP offers for paperback and hardcover books.

Accurate 2025 Rates

Our calculator uses the latest Amazon KDP printing rates for black & white, standard color, and premium color interiors.

9 Marketplaces

Calculate costs for US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Canada, and Australia marketplaces with local currency support.

How KDP Print Pricing Works

•Fixed Cost: A base charge per book that varies by marketplace and format (paperback vs hardcover).
•Per-Page Cost: Additional charge based on page count and interior type (B&W, standard color, premium color).
•Royalty Rate: 60% royalty for Amazon.com sales, 40% for expanded distribution channels.
•Minimum Price: Your list price must cover printing costs to earn any royalty.

Print Cost Calculator

Calculate Print Costs

Estimate printing costs and royalties for your KDP paperback books

Book Format

Page Count *

Min: 24, Max: 828 pages

Trim Size

14 sizes available for paperback

Ink Type

Marketplace

List Price (Your Selling Price)

Min: $2.00 • Max: $250 • The price customers will pay

📚 Expanded Distribution (40% royalty)

Reach libraries, bookstores, and academic institutions (lower royalty rate)

Understanding Amazon KDP Print Costs

Amazon KDP uses a straightforward formula to calculate printing costs: Fixed Cost + (Page Count × Per-Page Cost). The fixed cost depends on your trim size (regular vs. large), while the per-page cost varies by ink type (black & white vs. color) and marketplace.

How It Works: Regular trim sizes (width ≤6.12" AND height ≤9") have a $1.00 fixed cost in the US. Large trim sizes (anything bigger) have a $0.85 fixed cost. Black & white pages cost $0.012 each, while color pages cost $0.06 each—making color printing about 5x more expensive.

Royalty Calculation: Your royalty is 60% of (List Price - Printing Cost) for standard distribution, or 40% for expanded distribution. This means a $12.99 book with $4.00 printing cost earns $5.39 per sale (60% royalty) or $3.60 per sale (40% royalty).

Complete Trim Size Guide: Which Size is Right for Your Book?

Choosing the right trim size affects printing costs, reader experience, and perceived value. Here's a comprehensive guide to all 14 paperback and 8 hardcover sizes:

📚 Fiction & Novels

6×9" (Most Popular)

Standard for novels, memoirs, non-fiction. Regular pricing ($1.00 base). Perfect balance of readability and cost.

5×8" (Compact)

Smaller novels, poetry, gift books. Regular pricing. Easier to hold, slightly lower page costs.

5.25×8"

Between 5×8 and 6×9. Good for literary fiction. Regular pricing.

📖 Non-Fiction & Reference

8.5×11" (Workbooks)

Textbooks, workbooks, journals. Large pricing ($0.85 base). Maximum writing space.

7×10" (Premium)

Coffee table books, cookbooks, how-to guides. Large pricing. Professional look.

8×10"

Photo books, art books, portfolios. Large pricing. Great for images.

👶 Children's Books

8×10" (Picture Books)

Standard for illustrated children's books. Large pricing. Great for full-page art.

8.5×8.5" (Square)

Unique format for children's books. Large pricing. Eye-catching on shelves.

6×9" (Chapter Books)

For older children (8-12). Regular pricing. Text-heavy with some illustrations.

💎 Hardcover Options

6×9" Hardcover

Premium novels, special editions. ~$7 more than paperback. Allows $20-40 pricing.

8.5×11" Hardcover

Premium workbooks, coffee table books. Highest perceived value.

8 Total Sizes

Hardcover available in 8 popular trim sizes. Check calculator for full list.

💡 Pro Tip: Regular vs. Large Pricing

Counterintuitively, larger trim sizes have a LOWER fixed cost ($0.85 vs. $1.00). However, they often require more pages to fill, which can increase total cost. A 200-page book at 6×9" (regular) costs $3.40, while the same content at 7×10" (large) might only need 150 pages but costs $2.65. Calculate both options!

Paperback vs Hardcover: Which Format Should You Choose?

Both formats have distinct advantages. Many successful authors offer both to maximize revenue and reach different reader segments:

📘 Paperback Advantages

Lower Cost: $3-5 printing cost for typical 200-300 page book
Mass Market Appeal: $9.99-$14.99 price point accessible to most readers
Higher Volume: 80-90% of print sales are paperback
Easier to Carry: Lightweight, portable, fits in bags
Better Margins: Lower cost = higher profit percentage
Impulse Purchases: Price point encourages spontaneous buying

Best For:

Fiction, mass market books, series, first-time authors, price-sensitive readers

📕 Hardcover Advantages

Premium Pricing: $20-40 price point, 2-3x paperback
Higher Perceived Value: Feels substantial, collectible
Gift Market: Popular for holidays, special occasions
Durability: Lasts longer, better for libraries
Professional Image: Elevates author brand
Collector Appeal: Fans buy both formats

Best For:

Non-fiction, premium editions, coffee table books, gift books, established authors

💰 Profit Comparison Example

300-page book at 6×9", black & white interior:

Paperback at $12.99

Printing: $4.60

Royalty (60%): $5.03

Profit: $5.03/sale

Hardcover at $27.99

Printing: $11.45

Royalty (60%): $9.92

Profit: $9.92/sale

Hardcover earns 2x more per sale, but paperback typically sells 5-10x more copies. Offering both captures both markets!

Hybrid Strategy: Launch with paperback for maximum reach, then add hardcover 3-6 months later for collectors and gift buyers. Or release hardcover first at premium pricing, then paperback 6-12 months later to capture price-sensitive readers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Choosing the right trim size affects printing costs, reader experience, and perceived value. Here's a comprehensive guide to all 14 paperback and 8 hardcover sizes:

📚 Fiction & Novels

6×9" (Most Popular)

Standard for novels, memoirs, non-fiction. Regular pricing ($1.00 base). Perfect balance of readability and cost.

5×8" (Compact)

Smaller novels, poetry, gift books. Regular pricing. Easier to hold, slightly lower page costs.

5.25×8"

Between 5×8 and 6×9. Good for literary fiction. Regular pricing.

📖 Non-Fiction & Reference

8.5×11" (Workbooks)

Textbooks, workbooks, journals. Large pricing ($0.85 base). Maximum writing space.

7×10" (Premium)

Coffee table books, cookbooks, how-to guides. Large pricing. Professional look.

8×10"

Photo books, art books, portfolios. Large pricing. Great for images.

👶 Children's Books

8×10" (Picture Books)

Standard for illustrated children's books. Large pricing. Great for full-page art.

8.5×8.5" (Square)

Unique format for children's books. Large pricing. Eye-catching on shelves.

6×9" (Chapter Books)

For older children (8-12). Regular pricing. Text-heavy with some illustrations.

💎 Hardcover Options

6×9" Hardcover

Premium novels, special editions. ~$7 more than paperback. Allows $20-40 pricing.

8.5×11" Hardcover

Premium workbooks, coffee table books. Highest perceived value.

8 Total Sizes

Hardcover available in 8 popular trim sizes. Check calculator for full list.

💡 Pro Tip: Regular vs. Large Pricing