Use this calculator to estimate your potential royalties per sale for eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers published through Amazon KDP.
function toggleBookTypeInputs() {
var ebookInputs = document.getElementById('ebookInputs');
var printInputs = document.getElementById('printInputs');
var bookTypeEbook = document.getElementById('bookTypeEbook');
var bookTypePaperback = document.getElementById('bookTypePaperback');
var bookTypeHardcover = document.getElementById('bookTypeHardcover');
if (bookTypeEbook.checked) {
ebookInputs.style.display = 'block';
printInputs.style.display = 'none';
} else if (bookTypePaperback.checked || bookTypeHardcover.checked) {
ebookInputs.style.display = 'none';
printInputs.style.display = 'block';
}
// Recalculate to update display based on new input visibility
calculateKDPRoyalty();
}
function calculateKDPRoyalty() {
var listPrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('listPrice').value);
var ebookFileSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ebookFileSize').value);
var pageCount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pageCount').value);
var bookTypeEbook = document.getElementById('bookTypeEbook').checked;
var bookTypePaperback = document.getElementById('bookTypePaperback').checked;
var bookTypeHardcover = document.getElementById('bookTypeHardcover').checked;
var inkTypeBlackWhite = document.getElementById('inkTypeBlackWhite').checked;
var inkTypeColor = document.getElementById('inkTypeColor').checked;
var estimatedRoyalty = 0;
var royaltyRate = 0;
var deliveryCost = 0;
var printingCost = 0;
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(listPrice) || listPrice <= 0) {
document.getElementById('estimatedRoyalty').textContent = 'Invalid Price';
document.getElementById('royaltyRateDisplay').textContent = '–';
document.getElementById('deliveryCostRow').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('printingCostRow').style.display = 'none';
return;
}
if (bookTypeEbook) {
if (isNaN(ebookFileSize) || ebookFileSize = 2.99 && listPrice <= 9.99) {
royaltyRate = 0.70; // 70% royalty option
estimatedRoyalty = (listPrice * royaltyRate) – deliveryCost;
} else {
royaltyRate = 0.35; // 35% royalty option
estimatedRoyalty = listPrice * royaltyRate;
}
document.getElementById('deliveryCostRow').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('printingCostRow').style.display = 'none';
} else if (bookTypePaperback || bookTypeHardcover) {
if (isNaN(pageCount) || pageCount = 24 && pageCount = 24 && pageCount <= 40) {
perPageCost = 0.06; // Example for lower page counts
} else {
perPageCost = 0.07; // Example for higher page counts
}
}
// Hardcover has different base costs and per-page costs
if (bookTypeHardcover) {
baseCost = 5.00; // Example hardcover base cost (can vary significantly)
if (inkTypeBlackWhite) {
perPageCost = 0.012; // Example for hardcover B&W
} else if (inkTypeColor) {
perPageCost = 0.07; // Example for hardcover color
}
}
printingCost = baseCost + (pageCount * perPageCost);
// KDP requires list price to be at least printing cost * 1.6 (for 60% royalty)
var minListPrice = printingCost / royaltyRate;
if (listPrice < minListPrice) {
document.getElementById('estimatedRoyalty').textContent = 'Price too low ($' + minListPrice.toFixed(2) + ' min)';
document.getElementById('royaltyRateDisplay').textContent = (royaltyRate * 100).toFixed(0) + '%';
document.getElementById('deliveryCostRow').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('printingCostRow').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('printingCostDisplay').textContent = printingCost.toFixed(2);
return;
}
estimatedRoyalty = (listPrice * royaltyRate) – printingCost;
document.getElementById('deliveryCostRow').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('printingCostRow').style.display = 'block';
}
document.getElementById('royaltyRateDisplay').textContent = (royaltyRate * 100).toFixed(0) + '%';
document.getElementById('deliveryCostDisplay').textContent = deliveryCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('printingCostDisplay').textContent = printingCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('estimatedRoyalty').textContent = Math.max(0, estimatedRoyalty).toFixed(2); // Royalty cannot be negative
}
// Initial calculation on page load
window.onload = function() {
toggleBookTypeInputs(); // Ensure correct inputs are shown and initial calculation runs
};
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font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 25px;
max-width: 700px;
margin: 30px auto;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
color: #333;
}
.kdp-royalty-calculator-container h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.kdp-royalty-calculator-container p {
font-size: 0.95em;
line-height: 1.6;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.calculator-form .form-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
}
.calculator-form label {
flex: 0 0 150px;
margin-right: 15px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #555;
font-size: 0.95em;
}
.calculator-form input[type="number"],
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flex: 1;
padding: 10px 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1em;
max-width: 200px;
box-sizing: border-box;
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margin-right: 5px;
margin-left: 15px;
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.calculator-form input[type="radio"] + label {
font-weight: normal;
flex: unset;
margin-right: 15px;
margin-left: 0;
}
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display: block;
width: 100%;
padding: 12px 20px;
background-color: #28a745;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.calculator-form button:hover {
background-color: #218838;
}
.calculator-result {
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 20px;
margin-top: 30px;
text-align: center;
}
.calculator-result h3 {
color: #28a745;
margin-top: 0;
margin-bottom: 15px;
font-size: 1.5em;
}
.calculator-result p {
font-size: 1.1em;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #333;
}
.calculator-result .final-royalty {
font-size: 1.6em;
color: #007bff;
font-weight: bold;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.calculator-result .final-royalty strong {
color: #0056b3;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.kdp-royalty-calculator-container {
padding: 15px;
margin: 20px auto;
}
.calculator-form label {
flex: 1 1 100%;
margin-bottom: 5px;
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.calculator-form input[type="number"],
.calculator-form select {
max-width: 100%;
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.calculator-form input[type="radio"] {
margin-left: 0;
}
}
Understanding Kindle Direct Publishing Royalties
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows authors to self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers directly on Amazon. Understanding the royalty structure is crucial for pricing your books effectively and maximizing your earnings. The royalty rate you receive depends on several factors, including your book's format, list price, file size (for eBooks), and printing costs (for print books).
eBook Royalties
For eBooks, KDP offers two primary royalty options:
- 70% Royalty Option: This is available for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (inclusive) in eligible territories (e.g., US, UK, EU, Japan, India, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia). To qualify, your book must also be enrolled in KDP Select (though not strictly required for the 70% rate, it's often associated) and meet certain other criteria. From this 70%, Amazon deducts a "delivery cost" based on your eBook's file size.
- 35% Royalty Option: This applies to eBooks priced below $2.99 or above $9.99, or if your book is sold in territories not eligible for the 70% option. There are no delivery costs deducted from the 35% royalty.
Delivery Cost: For the 70% royalty option, Amazon charges a delivery fee per megabyte (MB) of your eBook's file size. For example, in the US marketplace, this is typically $0.15 per MB. This cost is deducted from your 70% royalty. A larger file size means a higher delivery cost and thus a lower net royalty.
Example: An eBook priced at $4.99 with a 5 MB file size (US marketplace, 70% royalty):
- Gross Royalty: $4.99 * 0.70 = $3.49
- Delivery Cost: 5 MB * $0.15/MB = $0.75
- Net Royalty: $3.49 – $0.75 = $2.74
If the same book were priced at $1.99 (35% royalty):
- Net Royalty: $1.99 * 0.35 = $0.70 (no delivery cost deduction)
Paperback and Hardcover Royalties
For print books (paperbacks and hardcovers), KDP offers a fixed royalty rate:
- 60% Royalty Rate: This rate applies to both paperbacks and hardcovers sold through Amazon's distribution channels. From this 60%, Amazon deducts the "printing cost" of your book.
Printing Cost: This is a significant factor for print books. It's calculated based on a fixed base cost plus a per-page cost, which varies depending on:
- Page Count: More pages mean higher printing costs.
- Ink Type: Black & White interiors are significantly cheaper to print than color interiors.
- Trim Size: Standard trim sizes often have more favorable printing costs.
- Marketplace: Printing costs can vary by the Amazon marketplace (e.g., US, UK, EU).
KDP also has a minimum list price requirement for print books, which must be high enough to cover the printing cost at the 60% royalty rate. Generally, your list price must be at least the printing cost divided by 0.60.
Example: A paperback priced at $14.99 with 200 black & white pages (US marketplace):
- Estimated Printing Cost (US, B&W, 200 pages): Base $0.85 + (200 pages * $0.015/page) = $0.85 + $3.00 = $3.85
- Gross Royalty: $14.99 * 0.60 = $8.99
- Net Royalty: $8.99 – $3.85 = $5.14
Hardcover Example: A hardcover priced at $24.99 with 200 black & white pages (US marketplace):
- Estimated Printing Cost (US, B&W, 200 pages): Base $5.00 + (200 pages * $0.012/page) = $5.00 + $2.40 = $7.40
- Gross Royalty: $24.99 * 0.60 = $14.99
- Net Royalty: $14.99 – $7.40 = $7.59
Using the Calculator
Our KDP Royalty Calculator simplifies these complex calculations. Simply select your book type, enter your desired list price, and provide the relevant details like eBook file size or page count and ink type for print books. The calculator will instantly estimate your per-sale royalty, helping you make informed decisions about your book's pricing strategy.
Remember that the printing costs used in this calculator are estimates for the US marketplace and standard trim sizes. Actual costs may vary slightly based on specific book specifications and regional marketplaces.