KDP minimum and maximum page counts by format, paper and ink
Checked against Amazon’s pages on 2026-11-09. Not affiliated with Amazon.
What are the minimum and maximum page counts for KDP paperbacks and hardcovers?
KDP paperbacks need at least 24 pages (72 for standard color) and can reach 828 pages on white paper or premium color, 812 on groundwood, 776 on cream and 600 in standard color on most trim sizes. Large formats such as 8.5 x 11 in have lower caps. Hardcovers must have 75 to 550 pages in every trim size and ink option.
| Paperback minimum | 24 pages (standard color 72) |
|---|---|
| Black ink, white paper, max | 828 pages (most sizes) |
| Black ink, cream paper, max | 776 pages (most sizes) |
| Black ink, groundwood paper, max | 812 pages (most sizes) |
| Premium color max | 828 pages (most sizes) |
| Standard color range | 72 to 600 pages |
| Hardcover range | 75 to 550 pages |
| Spine text | Needs at least 79 pages |
Free calculator: KDP paperback cover size and spine width calculator
Paperback limits (kdp.amazon.com)
The minimum is 24 pages for every option except standard color, which starts at 72. Maximums depend on paper, ink and trim size:
| Trim size | White | Cream | Groundwood | Standard color | Premium color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 8 in through 8 x 10 in (11 sizes) | 828 | 776 | 812 | 600 | 828 |
| 8.25 x 6 in, 8.25 x 8.25 in | 800 | 750 | 784 | 600 | 800 |
| 8.27 x 11.69 in | 780 | 730 | 764 | Not available | 590 |
| 8.5 x 8.5 in, 8.5 x 11 in | 590 | 550 | 578 | 600 | 590 |
The first row covers 5 x 8, 5.06 x 7.81, 5.25 x 8, 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 6.69 x 9.61, 7 x 10, 7.44 x 9.69, 7.5 x 9.25 and 8 x 10 in. The white, cream and groundwood columns are black ink.
Hardcover limits
Every hardcover trim size (5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 7 x 10 and 8.25 x 11 in) accepts 75 to 550 pages in black ink on white or cream paper and in premium color. Standard color is not available for hardcovers.
Thresholds worth knowing
- 79 pages: the minimum for spine text on a paperback cover (80 in Cover Creator).
- 110 pages: below this, a black ink paperback on Amazon.com pays only the flat fixed printing cost.
- 150, 300, 500 and 700 pages: the points where the required inside margin increases.
Common mistakes
- Planning a thick book on cream paper. Cream has the lowest cap at 776 pages on standard sizes.
- Choosing standard color for a short picture book. It needs 72 pages; premium color starts at 24.
- Moving a paperback over 550 pages to hardcover. It must be cut down or split.
Amazon changes these rules; the linked KDP help pages are the authority.
Questions
- How does KDP count pages?
- KDP calculates page count from your manuscript file and rounds up to an even number if necessary.
- Why is my 8.5 x 11 in book capped below 828 pages?
- Maximums depend on trim size. On 8.5 x 11 in and 8.5 x 8.5 in, black ink tops out at 590 pages on white paper, 550 on cream and 578 on groundwood.
- Is there a page count that only pays the fixed printing cost?
- Yes. On Amazon.com, black ink paperbacks with 24 to 110 pages pay only the fixed cost, as do black ink hardcovers with 75 to 108 pages.
Related tools
- Amazon KDP: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is Amazon's free self-publishing platform for Kindle ebooks and print paperbacks and hardcovers.
Sources
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GVBQ3CMEQW3W2VL6
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201857950
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GAVW3FZZAKA2KY3B
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834340
More on print books
- Can you put a KDP paperback or hardcover on pre-order?
- How KDP calculates paperback and hardcover printing costs
- KDP bleed size and minimum margins by page count
- KDP Expanded Distribution: eligibility, royalty and restrictions
- KDP paperback cover size and spine width by page count
- KDP proof copies and author copies: cost, limits and how to order
Spotted a change on Amazon’s side? Send a correction. Plain-text version.