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1. Confirm you have the rights to publish
Before choosing where your book can be sold, confirm that you hold the publishing and distribution rights for those territories. If your rights are limited by a contract or prior license, select only the territories you control. KDP’s territory selection is a declaration of rights, not simply a marketing preference. See KDP’s rights and territories guidance.
2. Choose which formats to publish
KDP treats Kindle ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers as distinct formats with different files, ISBN requirements, and availability. Publishing one format does not automatically create the others. Check KDP’s current marketplace availability during title setup; the hardcover marketplaces listed by KDP are fewer than those for paperback, and Expanded Distribution is not available for hardcover.
| Format | Production files and review | ISBN | Distribution and royalty considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle ebook | Prepare an ebook file and review it in KDP’s preview workflow; use the current KDP formatting guidance for the book’s layout. | KDP says an ISBN is not required for ebooks. | 35% and 70% royalty plans are available subject to eligibility, territory, pricing conditions, and possible delivery costs. |
| Paperback | Upload a print interior and a separate full cover file; set trim size, margins, and bleed as needed, then preview the files. | Requires its own ISBN. KDP offers a free KDP-only ISBN, or you can provide one you purchased. | Amazon-channel royalties depend on the applicable rate and subtract printing cost. Expanded Distribution has a separate calculation and is available for paperback. |
| Hardcover | Upload and preview the interior and a hardcover-specific cover; KDP describes a case-laminate format with artwork printed on the cover and no dust jacket. KDP’s workflow includes ordering a proof. | Requires an ISBN separate from the paperback ISBN. KDP offers a free KDP-only ISBN, or you can provide one you purchased. | Marketplace availability is more limited than paperback in KDP’s guidance; Expanded Distribution does not apply. |
Details can change. Consult KDP’s ebook pricing guidance, paperback formatting guidance, and hardcover publishing guidance for the current requirements.
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3. Prepare your manuscript and cover files
Paperback
Prepare a print interior that includes front matter, the main text, and back matter, plus a separate cover file for the back, spine, and front. Choose the trim size before finalizing the layout because it affects page design and cover dimensions. Set margins for the chosen book size, and use bleed when interior artwork or color extends to the edge of a page. Upload both files and inspect KDP’s preview for layout problems before submitting.
KDP provides cover templates and calculators, and its Cover Creator can help with a cover. Kindle Create may suit straightforward, text-heavy layouts, but KDP says it does not support paperback books with tables, footnotes, or images that bleed. Choose a workflow that fits the actual book rather than assuming one tool handles every layout.
Hardcover
Hardcover cover dimensions differ from paperback, so create a separate cover using the hardcover specifications. KDP’s described case-laminate option prints artwork directly on the cover and does not include a dust jacket. Upload the content, preview it, and order a proof through the workflow before publication.
Ebook
Prepare and preview an ebook file for Kindle rather than treating a print-ready PDF as a universal publishing file. Check the current KDP ebook formatting instructions for the book’s layout and confirm that the preview displays text and images as intended.
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4. Decide whether to use a free or purchased ISBN
An ISBN identifies a particular book edition and format. Paperback and hardcover editions need separate ISBNs; an ISBN used for one format cannot simply identify the other. KDP also says a substantially new edition cannot reuse an old ISBN.
| Choice | What it means |
|---|---|
| KDP free ISBN | Available for paperback and hardcover at no charge, but usable only on KDP. KDP says the imprint associated with it displays as “Independently published.” |
| Your own purchased ISBN | May be appropriate if you intend to publish the edition outside KDP or want your own imprint associated with it. The registered title, author, and publisher information must match what you enter in KDP. |
| No ISBN for a KDP ebook | KDP does not require an ISBN for ebooks. |
You do not have to buy an ISBN simply because you are self-publishing. Decide based on where you plan to publish each print edition and how you want its publisher or imprint represented. See KDP’s ISBN guidance.
5. Enter your title details, rights, and price
- Start a title in KDP. Select the format you are setting up and enter the requested book information, such as title and author. Review spelling and consistency across the title record and files.
- Choose territories. Select all territories only if you hold the relevant rights worldwide; otherwise select the territories covered by your rights. Marketplace availability varies by format.
- Enter the ISBN for print. Use the free KDP ISBN or enter your own for paperback or hardcover. The title, author, and publisher details must match the registration for an ISBN you supply. Ebooks do not require an ISBN on KDP.
- Upload the correct files. For paperback, upload a print interior and separate cover; for hardcover, use hardcover-specific cover dimensions. Follow the ebook upload path for Kindle editions.
- Preview and correct the files. Check the full book in KDP’s previewer, including page breaks, margins, images, cover alignment, and front and back matter. Fix errors in the source files and upload revised versions as needed.
- Set the price using the current calculator and setup screen. Review the displayed royalty estimate for each relevant marketplace and format; do not assume an estimate for one configuration applies to another.
- Review and submit. Verify the book details, rights, uploaded files, ISBN, and price before submitting the title for publication.
6. Understand how KDP royalties and print costs work
Ebook royalties
KDP lists 35% and 70% ebook royalty plans. Eligibility depends on the plan’s conditions and territory, and delivery costs may apply. The rate is not guaranteed for every sale or marketplace. Check the current KDP price and royalty guidance and use the estimate shown for your title.
Paperback royalties on Amazon
KDP lists 50% and 60% paperback royalty rates for Amazon-channel sales, depending on list price and marketplace. Its stated formula is (royalty rate × list price) − printing cost. Printing cost varies by marketplace and book settings, including page count, trim size, ink, and paper type. KDP’s title setup and calculator provide estimates for a specific configuration.
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For illustration, KDP’s current help page gives a U.S. example of a 333-page, regular-trim, black-ink paperback priced at $15: (0.60 × $15) − $5.00 print cost = $4.00 royalty. That is KDP’s example configuration, not a forecast for another book. Check KDP’s paperback royalty and printing-cost details for the current calculation applicable to your marketplace and settings.
Paperback Expanded Distribution
KDP states a separate Expanded Distribution calculation for paperbacks: 40% of the list price effective in the channel at purchase, minus printing cost. In KDP’s example, a $15 book with a $5 print cost yields $1.00. This is not the Amazon-channel formula, and Expanded Distribution is not offered for hardcover.
KDP says it prints books on demand and subtracts printing costs from royalties, so authors do not pay printing costs upfront or hold inventory under that model. The actual print cost and potential royalty depend on the book’s configuration and marketplace; confirm them in the live calculator rather than treating a general example as a quote.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. Review a proof and publish
For hardcover, KDP’s workflow includes ordering a proof. For paperback, carefully review the uploaded files in the previewer; if a proof option is available in your current setup, inspect a physical copy before release. Look for text or image placement problems, page-number issues, trim and margin errors, and any cover or spine alignment concerns. Correct source files and re-upload if needed. Submit only when the files, metadata, rights, and price shown in KDP are right for the edition.
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You can use an author-purchased ISBN for an edition you intend to publish beyond KDP, subject to the ISBN’s registration details and the terms of any other distribution service. KDP’s free ISBN is restricted to KDP. For eligible paperbacks, Expanded Distribution is a separate KDP channel with its own royalty calculation; it does not apply to hardcover. Check the current marketplace and distribution options in KDP and any other service you plan to use before selecting territories or ISBNs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?
Not for a KDP ebook. Paperback and hardcover editions need ISBNs, and each format requires a separate one. KDP offers free ISBNs for those print formats.
How much does Amazon KDP pay per book?
There is no single per-book amount. Ebook rates depend on the selected 35% or 70% plan and its conditions; print royalties depend on marketplace, list price, applicable rate, and printing cost. Use KDP’s current calculator for the book configuration.
Can I use my own ISBN on KDP?
Yes. You can provide a purchased ISBN for paperback or hardcover, provided the title, author, and publisher information match its registration.
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How do I format a paperback for KDP?
Prepare a print interior and a separate full-cover file, set the trim size and margins, use bleed for edge-to-edge interior artwork, then upload and review the files in KDP’s previewer.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
