KDP Cover Size Calculator
Get the exact KDP cover size, full cover dimensions, and print-ready reminders you need before generating your next paperback or hardcover.
Calculated Dimensions
Full Cover Size
10.588 x 8.250 in
Front Cover Size
5.125 x 8.250 in
Spine Width
0.338 in
Front Cover Pixels
1538 x 2475 px
Print-Ready Notes
- Include 0.125 in bleed on the outer edges for paperback covers.
- Keep text at least 0.25 in inside the trim line.
- Reserve barcode space on the lower-right back cover area.
What This Calculator Gives You
Use this page to confirm the exact file size you need before design, preview, and export. The goal is to make the print canvas clear before you create the final cover.
Full Cover Size
The total wrap width and height for the complete print file, including front, back, spine, and required bleed.
Front Cover Size
The front-facing design area you can use as a quick reference when checking composition and image fit.
Spine Width
The spine value changes with page count, paper type, and format, so it should be recalculated whenever the book spec changes.
Front Cover Pixels
A pixel reference for your front cover artwork so you can sanity-check resolution before moving into print-ready export.
Supported Formats & Scope
This page is built for KDP print cover calculations. It helps you calculate paperback and hardcover dimensions, but it does not replace an ebook cover guide or a template download page.
Paperback Support
Use trim size, page count, and paper type to calculate paperback spine width, front cover size, and full wrap dimensions.
Hardcover Support
Hardcover covers use a different formula than paperback because wrap and board compensation change the final width and height.
Current Boundaries
This calculator focuses on KDP print covers. It does not try to explain every Kindle ebook spec, template workflow, or publishing step.
How KDP Cover Dimensions Are Calculated
The calculator combines trim size, page count, paper type, and cover format to generate the final print cover dimensions. The goal is to answer one practical question: what exact canvas size do you need before you design or export the file?
Spine Width Starts With Page Count
Page count directly affects spine width. More pages mean a wider spine, and the paper type changes the width per page.
Bleed Changes Final Size
Paperback covers require bleed outside the trim line. That extra space changes the full exported width and height, not just the visible cover area.
Hardcover Uses Different Math
Hardcover calculations add wrap and board compensation, so you should never reuse paperback dimensions for a hardcover upload.
What Changes Your Result
If your numbers look different from a previous project, one of these inputs usually changed. The calculator only works when all four inputs match the final book spec.
Format
Paperback and hardcover use different dimension rules, especially around wrap, compensation, and spine width.
Trim Size
The trim size defines the base width and height of the printed book before bleed and spine are added.
Page Count
A new page count means a new spine width. If your manuscript changes, your cover dimensions must be recalculated.
Paper Type
White and cream paper do not use the same thickness factor, so the same page count can produce a different spine width.
Common KDP Trim Sizes
These sizes are common starting points for KDP print books. The best choice depends on your genre, reading experience, and production goals.
| Trim Size | Common Format | Typical Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 8 | Paperback | Compact fiction and short nonfiction | Smaller trim size, often used when portability matters more than large typography. |
| 5.5 x 8.5 | Paperback / Hardcover | Trade books and many self-published titles | A flexible mid-size option when you want more room than 5 x 8 without moving to 6 x 9. |
| 6 x 9 | Paperback / Hardcover | Standard nonfiction and many KDP print books | One of the most common KDP trim sizes because it balances readability, page count, and production familiarity. |
| 8.5 x 11 | Paperback | Workbooks, manuals, and image-heavy interiors | Useful when the interior needs more horizontal space for diagrams, recipes, or worksheets. |
Example Calculations
These examples show how the same calculator logic changes when you change the format, trim size, page count, or paper type.
Example 1: 6 x 9 paperback
6 x 9 • 200 pages • paperback • white paper
- Spine Width
- 0.450 in
- Full Cover Size
- 12.700 x 9.250 in
- Front Cover Pixels
- 1838 x 2775 px
Example 2: 5.5 x 8.5 paperback
5.5 x 8.5 • 320 pages • paperback • cream paper
- Spine Width
- 0.800 in
- Full Cover Size
- 12.050 x 8.750 in
- Front Cover Pixels
- 1688 x 2625 px
Example 3: 6 x 9 hardcover
6 x 9 • 180 pages • hardcover • white paper
- Spine Width
- 0.594 in
- Full Cover Size
- 14.169 x 10.417 in
- Front Cover Pixels
- 2036 x 3125 px
How To Use These Dimensions
The calculator gives you the dimensions. The next step is to use them correctly in your design file and export process.
Set the Right Canvas
Use the full cover width and height when you create your print cover file. Do not design the front cover only if you need a full wrap PDF.
Keep 300 DPI In Mind
The calculator also helps you think in print resolution. If the canvas is too small, the cover may look fine on screen but fail in print.
Respect Bleed and Safe Zones
Background elements should extend into the bleed area, while text and important graphics should stay safely inside the trim line.
Leave Barcode Space
On print covers, keep the lower-right back cover area clear enough for KDP barcode placement before exporting the final PDF.
Common KDP Size Mistakes
Most size-related upload problems come from a small number of avoidable mistakes. These are the ones worth checking before export.
Using an Old Page Count
If your interior changed, your spine changed too. Reusing an old cover after editing the manuscript is one of the fastest ways to get the wrong file size.
Picking the Wrong Trim Size
A 5.5 x 8.5 file cannot be reused as 6 x 9 without recalculating the entire cover size. Trim size errors affect every exported dimension.
Forgetting Bleed
Designing to trim size only can leave white edges after printing. Bleed must be added to the final printable canvas.
Treating Hardcover Like Paperback
Hardcover math includes wrap and board compensation. If you use paperback logic for hardcover, your final file width will be wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inputs affect KDP cover size?
Trim size, page count, paper type, and binding format all affect the final dimensions. Page count changes the spine width, while format changes the allowed trim sizes and cover formula.
Is spine width different for paperback and hardcover?
Yes. Hardcover uses a different width formula and extra board compensation, so you should not reuse paperback spine values for hardcover files.
Can I generate the full cover after calculating the size?
Yes. After confirming the dimensions here, use the KDP cover generator to create a print-ready cover that matches the calculated specs.
Does this page calculate Kindle ebook cover size too?
Not as the main purpose. This page focuses on KDP print cover dimensions for paperback and hardcover, where spine width and full wrap size are the main variables.
Ready to turn these specs into a real cover?
Use the KDP generator after you confirm the correct dimensions, then continue to preview and print-ready export.