KDP cover setup · Updated 2026-05-30
KDP paperback cover size formula
Use the KDP paperback cover formula to calculate full cover width, cover height, spine width, bleed, and trim spread before designing your cover.
The formula KDP expects you to understand
A paperback cover is one continuous PDF file that includes the back cover, spine, and front cover. The file also includes bleed on the outside edges so printed artwork can be trimmed without leaving a white border.
Use this structure: cover width equals bleed + back cover width + spine width + front cover width + bleed. Cover height equals bleed + trim height + bleed. The calculator shows both cover file size including bleed and trim spread before bleed.
- Back cover width = selected trim width.
- Front cover width = selected trim width.
- Spine width = page count multiplied by the KDP paperback paper multiplier.
- Full cover width = trim width × 2 + spine width + bleed × 2.
- Full cover height = trim height + bleed × 2.
Official spine multipliers used by the calculator
The calculator now uses Amazon KDP paperback spine multipliers in inches per page. Recalculate when you change final page count, interior type, or paper option.
| Interior / paper option | Multiplier | 120-page spine |
|---|---|---|
| Black & white · white paper | page count × 0.002252 in | 0.270 in |
| Black & white · cream paper | page count × 0.0025 in | 0.300 in |
| Standard color | page count × 0.002252 in | 0.270 in |
| Premium color | page count × 0.002347 in | 0.282 in |
Worked example: 6 × 9, 120 pages, white paper
For a 6 × 9 in black-and-white paperback on white paper with 120 pages and 0.125 in bleed, spine width is 120 × 0.002252 = 0.270 in. Cover width is 0.125 + 6 + 0.270 + 6 + 0.125 = 12.520 in. Cover height is 0.125 + 9 + 0.125 = 9.25 in.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Trim spread before bleed | 12.270 × 9 in |
| Cover file including bleed | 12.520 × 9.25 in |
| 300 PPI canvas | 3756 × 2775 px |
Use the official KDP previewer as the final check
This site is an independent planning calculator for setting up a design canvas before using Photoshop, Affinity, Canva, Figma, or InDesign. Always compare the final upload with the official KDP calculator, template, and Previewer before publishing.