KDP print options · Updated 2026-05-30
KDP trim size and page count guide
Choose a KDP paperback trim size and understand how page count, paper type, and trim size affect cover setup.
Trim size is the final cut size of the book
Trim size is the width and height of the finished book after printing and cutting. KDP supports common paperback sizes such as 5 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 7 × 10, 8 × 10, and 8.5 × 11, with availability affected by print options.
Pick trim before creating the cover. A later trim change forces you to recalculate cover width, cover height, spine position, barcode position, and pixel canvas.
- Choose trim size before designing the cover.
- Check page-count limits for the selected paper and ink option.
- Recalculate the spine after the formatted manuscript page count is final.
Page count changes the spine
Two books can share the same trim size but require different cover widths because spine width depends on page count and paper option. If the manuscript changes from 120 pages to 200 pages, export a new cover file with updated spine width.
| Page count / paper | Spine | Cover width |
|---|---|---|
| 120 pages · B&W white | 0.270 in | 12.520 in |
| 200 pages · B&W white | 0.450 in | 12.700 in |
| 200 pages · B&W cream | 0.500 in | 12.750 in |
Common starting points
Use 5.5 × 8.5 or 6 × 9 for many novels and nonfiction books, 7 × 10 for manuals and study guides, and 8.5 × 11 for larger workbooks. These are practical planning defaults, not universal rules.