KDP facts
The rules and numbers KDP publishers look up most, each answered in the first lines and sourced to Amazon’s own help pages. Amazon changes these often; every page shows the date we last checked it against Amazon.
New to the jargon? The KDP glossary defines BSR, KENP, bleed, trim size and the other terms used here.
Royalties & payments
- KDP ebook royalties: the 35% and 70% options
What royalty does Amazon KDP pay on Kindle ebooks? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP hardcover royalties: 60% or 50% minus printing cost
What royalty does Amazon KDP pay on hardcover books? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP paperback royalties: 60% or 50% minus printing cost
How much royalty does Amazon KDP pay on a paperback? Checked 2026-11-09.
- When and how KDP pays royalties: schedule, thresholds, methods
When does Amazon KDP pay royalties, and is there a minimum payment? Checked 2026-11-09.
Print books
- Can you put a KDP paperback or hardcover on pre-order?
Does Amazon KDP offer pre-orders for paperback and hardcover books? Checked 2026-11-09.
- How KDP calculates paperback and hardcover printing costs
How much does Amazon KDP charge to print a paperback or hardcover? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP bleed size and minimum margins by page count
What bleed and margin sizes does Amazon KDP require for a print book interior? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP Expanded Distribution: eligibility, royalty and restrictions
What is KDP Expanded Distribution, who can use it, and what royalty does it pay? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP minimum and maximum page counts by format, paper and ink
What are the minimum and maximum page counts for KDP paperbacks and hardcovers? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP paperback cover size and spine width by page count
How do I calculate the full cover size and spine width for a KDP paperback? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP proof copies and author copies: cost, limits and how to order
How do I order proof copies and author copies on KDP, and what do they cost? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP trim sizes for paperback and hardcover books
What trim sizes does Amazon KDP support for paperbacks and hardcovers? Checked 2026-11-09.
Ebooks
- KDP ebook file formats: manuscript and cover requirements
What file formats does Amazon KDP accept for Kindle ebook manuscripts and covers? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP ebook pre-orders: lead time, final file deadline and penalties
How far in advance can I set up a Kindle ebook pre-order, and what happens if I miss the deadline? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP ebook pricing rules: minimum, maximum and price matching
What are the minimum and maximum list prices for a Kindle ebook on KDP? Checked 2026-11-09.
KDP Select & programs
- KDP Select rules: exclusivity, renewal, Kindle+ and promotions
What are the rules of KDP Select, and what do I get for enrolling? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KENP royalties: how KDP pays for Kindle+ pages read
How does Amazon calculate KENP page-read royalties from the KDP Select Global Fund? Checked 2026-11-09.
Content rules
- KDP AI content disclosure: AI-generated vs AI-assisted
Do I have to tell Amazon KDP if I used AI to write or illustrate my book? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP low-content books: definition, ISBN option and limits
What counts as a low-content book on KDP, and do I need an ISBN for one? Checked 2026-11-09.
- Publishing public domain books on KDP: differentiation and royalties
Can I publish public domain books on Amazon KDP, and what rules apply? Checked 2026-11-09.
Metadata & listing
- A+ Content for KDP books: where to create it and what's allowed
How do I add A+ Content to my KDP book's Amazon page, and what are the rules? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP book description rules: 4,000 characters and supported HTML
How long can a KDP book description be, and what HTML and content are allowed? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP ISBN rules: free KDP ISBN vs your own, and ebooks
Do I need an ISBN to publish on KDP, and should I use the free KDP ISBN or buy my own? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP keywords and categories: 7 keywords, 3 categories
How many keywords and categories can I choose on KDP, and which keywords are prohibited? Checked 2026-11-09.
- KDP title, subtitle, series and contributor rules, plus title limits
What are KDP's rules for book titles, subtitles, series and contributors, and how many titles can I create? Checked 2026-11-09.
Account & tax
- KDP tax interview (tax profile): W-8, withholding and treaties
What is the KDP tax interview, and how much tax does Amazon withhold from my royalties? Checked 2026-11-09.