KDP Print Cover Dimensions Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the precise dimensions for your Amazon KDP print book cover, including bleed and spine width, based on your book's trim size and page count.
Understanding KDP Cover Dimensions
Creating a print-ready cover for your book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) requires precise dimensions. Unlike ebooks, print books need a full wrap-around cover that includes the front, back, and spine, along with a crucial element called 'bleed'. Getting these dimensions right is essential to ensure your cover prints correctly without white edges or cut-off text.
What is Trim Size?
The trim size refers to the final dimensions of your book's pages after they have been cut. Common trim sizes include 6×9 inches, 5.5×8.5 inches, or 5×8 inches. Your cover dimensions are directly based on this chosen trim size.
The Importance of Page Count
Your book's page count is critical because it determines the width of the spine. More pages mean a thicker book and thus a wider spine. KDP uses specific formulas based on the paper type (black & white on white, black & white on cream, or color) to calculate this spine width.
- Black & White (White Paper): Each page adds approximately 0.002252 inches to the spine.
- Black & White (Cream Paper): Each page adds approximately 0.0025 inches to the spine.
- Color (Color Paper): Each page adds approximately 0.002347 inches to the spine.
These values are multiplied by your total page count to get the exact spine width.
What is Bleed?
Bleed is an extra margin of your cover design that extends beyond the trim edge of your book. When your book is printed and trimmed, there's a slight chance of minor variations in the cutting process. Bleed ensures that if the cut is slightly off, you won't end up with an unsightly white line along the edge of your cover. KDP requires a 0.125-inch (0.3175 cm) bleed on the top, bottom, and outside edges of your cover. The spine edge does not require bleed as it's an internal edge.
Calculating Full Cover Dimensions
The calculator combines these elements to give you the total width and height of your cover file:
- Total Cover Width: (2 * Trim Width) + Spine Width + (2 * Bleed)
- Total Cover Height: Trim Height + (2 * Bleed)
The two bleeds for width account for the outside edge of the front cover and the outside edge of the back cover. The two bleeds for height account for the top and bottom edges of the entire cover.
Safe Zone / Margin
While not part of the overall cover dimensions, it's crucial to consider the "safe zone" or "margin" for your design. KDP recommends keeping all critical text and important graphic elements at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) away from the trim edges to prevent them from being accidentally cut off during the printing process. This calculator will also provide this recommended margin for your reference.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you have a book with the following specifications:
- Trim Width: 6.0 inches
- Trim Height: 9.0 inches
- Page Count: 300 pages
- Paper Type: Black & White (White Paper)
Here's how the calculator would determine the dimensions:
- Spine Width: 300 pages * 0.002252 inches/page = 0.6756 inches
- Bleed: 0.125 inches (on each relevant edge)
- Total Cover Width: (2 * 6.0 inches) + 0.6756 inches + (2 * 0.125 inches) = 12.0 + 0.6756 + 0.25 = 12.9256 inches
- Total Cover Height: 9.0 inches + (2 * 0.125 inches) = 9.0 + 0.25 = 9.25 inches
- Front/Back Cover Width (including bleed): 6.0 inches + 0.125 inches = 6.125 inches
- Front/Back Cover Height (including bleed): 9.0 inches + (2 * 0.125 inches) = 9.25 inches
The calculator simplifies this process, providing you with all the necessary measurements to design your perfect KDP print cover.