Your book
More options
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.
Your cover size
- Full cover width (with bleed)
- —
- Cover height (with bleed)
- —
- Spine width
- —
- Full cover in pixels
- —
- Front cover only (with bleed)
- —
- Safe area for text, each cover
- —
- Spine text area
- —
- Minimum interior margins
- —
- Kindle eBook cover
- —
Text on the spine?
Width = bleed + back + spine + front + bleed:
The template marks the trim line and spine folds (red), the safe area (blue dashes) and the 2" × 1.2" barcode box. Hide it before you export your final PDF.
How KDP works out your cover size
A paperback cover is one flat image that wraps around the book: back cover, spine and front cover side by side, with a little extra on every outside edge for trimming. KDP uses this formula:
Cover width = bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleedCover height = bleed + trim height + bleed
Bleed is 0.125" (3.2 mm) on the top, bottom and outside edges. It gets trimmed off, so your background color or image should run all the way into it, but nothing important should sit there.
Spine width depends on your pages and paper
Thicker paper makes a wider spine. KDP multiplies your page count by a fixed thickness per page:
| Paper and ink | Spine width per page | Spine for 300 pages |
|---|---|---|
| Black ink, white paper | 0.002252" (0.0572 mm) | 0.676" |
| Black ink, cream paper | 0.0025" (0.0635 mm) | 0.75" |
| Standard color | 0.002252" (0.0572 mm) | 0.676" |
| Premium color | 0.002347" (0.0596 mm) | 0.704" |
Because the spine changes with every page, finish your interior first. If your page count changes after the cover is designed, the spine has to be resized.
Five cover mistakes that get files rejected
- Text too close to the edge. Keep titles, names and text inside the safe area, at least 0.125" in from the trim lines.
- Spine text on a thin book. KDP only allows text on the spine when the book has more than 79 pages. Leave at least 0.0625" (1.6 mm) on each side of spine text.
- Low resolution. Images should be 300 DPI at the final size. The pixel size above tells you how big your artwork needs to be.
- Covering the barcode area. If you don’t supply a barcode, KDP prints one in the lower-right corner of the back cover, so keep that space clear.
- Uploading separate files. KDP needs a single PDF with the back cover, spine and front cover together.
Hardcover and other printers
This calculator is for KDP paperbacks. Hardcover case laminate covers wrap around boards and use different measurements, and other printers such as IngramSpark use their own paper thicknesses. For those, download the exact template from the printer before you design.
Sources: Paperback cover (KDP Help). Figures for Amazon.com, checked October 2026. Amazon can change them at any time, so confirm on your KDP bookshelf before you publish.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate spine width for a KDP paperback?
Multiply your page count by the paper’s thickness per page: 0.002252" for white paper and standard color, 0.0025" for cream paper and 0.002347" for premium color. A 300-page book on white paper has a 0.676" spine.
How much bleed does a KDP cover need?
Add 0.125" (3.2 mm) of bleed to the top, bottom and outside edges of the full cover. The calculator includes it in the width and height it shows you.
Can I put the title on my book’s spine?
Only if your book has more than 79 pages. Thinner spines are too narrow to print text accurately. Keep spine text at least 0.0625" (1.6 mm) from each edge of the spine.
What resolution does a KDP cover need?
Use images at 300 DPI at their printed size. Multiply the cover width and height in inches by 300 to get the minimum pixel size. The calculator shows this for you.
Do I need to add a barcode to my cover?
No. If you use a KDP ISBN or don’t include a barcode, KDP adds one in the lower-right corner of the back cover. Leave that area free of text and important images. You can also add your own, for example with our free ISBN barcode generator.
Does this work for hardcovers?
No, this calculator is for KDP paperbacks. Hardcover covers wrap around boards and use different measurements, so download the template for your exact book from KDP.