KDP cover size & spine width calculator · checked November 4, 2026
Enter your trim, page count and paper. The spine grows as you add pages, and every measurement comes from KDP’s own cover formula, linked to the page it’s on.
Inches are rounded to three decimal places on screen; the template is drawn at full precision. Paperbacks only: KDP publishes no hardcover spine formula. What will this book earn per copy? Use the royalty calculator →
Free cover template
Zeal Publishers · Platform Planner
The template is a guide layer. Place your artwork under it, then hide it before you export: KDP says “Also, remove any template text, PDF creation guides, or software references.” Verified Nov 4, 2026
Next step
Send us your trim, page count and paper, and a Zeal designer builds the full wrap to these exact measurements: front, spine and back, print-ready for KDP.
or ring us: +1 (609) 493-4557
KDP’s paperback cover rules
“Cover Width = Bleed + Back Cover Width + Spine Width + Front Cover Width + Bleed”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“Cover Height = Bleed + Trim Height + Bleed”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“To size your cover file with bleed, add 0.125" (3.2 mm) to the top, bottom, and outside edges of your cover.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
From KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026. Groundwood, from the Paperback Submission Guidelines:
“Groundwood paper: page count x 0.00235" (0.0596 mm)”
KDP Help: Paperback Submission Guidelines, read Nov 4, 2026
“To include spine text, your book must have at least 79 pages.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“spine text needs at least 0.0625" (1.6 mm) on either side so the text doesn't wrap onto the front or back cover.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“When adding text, make sure it's at least 0.125" (3.2 mm) inside the trim lines.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“Suggested size is 2" x 1.2" (50.8 x 30.5 mm) (Minimum size is 1.4" x .8" (35.56 x 20.3 mm))”
KDP Help: Barcodes, read Nov 4, 2026
“Positioned at least .25" (6.3 mm) from the spine and trim of the cover”
KDP Help: Barcodes, read Nov 4, 2026
“Covers with images or text in the barcode location will be rejected.”
KDP Help: Barcodes, read Nov 4, 2026
Standard color spine. KDP's cover page gives standard color paper 0.002252 in per page; its Paperback Submission Guidelines give one figure, 0.002347 in, for all color paper. We use the cover page. Check a standard color spine in KDP's cover calculator.
“Standard Color paper: page count x 0.002252" (0.0572 mm)”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“Color paper: page count x 0.002347" (0.0596 mm)”
KDP Help: Paperback Submission Guidelines, read Nov 4, 2026
Spine text at 79 pages. KDP's cover page says spine text needs at least 79 pages, and in another line "more than 79". Cover Creator needs 80. At exactly 79 pages we mark spine text as borderline.
“To include spine text, your book must have at least 79 pages.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“We only print spine text on books with more than 79 pages.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
“If you’re using Cover Creator, the minimum page count for spine text is 80 pages.”
KDP Help: Create a Paperback Cover, read Nov 4, 2026
A KDP hardcover cover is a different file: “Cover file images should extend 0.51” (15 mm) past the edge of the front cover.” and “There's a 0.4” (10 mm) space between the spine and safe area on the front and back covers.” KDP publishes no hardcover spine formula, so use KDP’s cover calculator for hardcovers. Verified Nov 4, 2026
IngramSpark has its own rule for spine text: “Spine text is allowed for soft cover books with 48 pages or more, and hard cover books with 18 pages or more.” Verified Nov 4, 2026
Straight answers
Multiply your page count by KDP's figure for your paper: 0.002252 in for white, 0.0025 in for cream, 0.00235 in for groundwood, 0.002347 in for premium color and 0.002252 in for standard color. A 200-page book on white paper has a 0.450 in spine.
Width = bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleed, and height = bleed + trim height + bleed, with 0.125 in of bleed. A 6 x 9 in, 200-page book on white paper needs a 12.700 x 9.250 in cover file.
KDP says at least 79 pages (one line of the same page says more than 79, and Cover Creator needs 80). Keep spine text at least 0.0625 in from each side of the spine.
On the back cover. If you don't supply one, KDP places it for you. KDP suggests 2 x 1.2 in, at least 0.25 in from the spine and the trim, and rejects covers with images or text in the barcode location.
No. A KDP hardcover cover wraps around the board: images extend 0.51 in past the edge of the front cover, and there's a 0.4 in hinge beside the spine. KDP publishes no hardcover spine formula, so use KDP's own cover calculator for hardcovers.
Partly because KDP's own pages do. Its cover page gives standard color paper 0.002252 in per page, while its submission guidelines give 0.002347 in for all color paper. We follow the cover page and say so.
Every measurement on this page comes from KDP’s own help pages, quoted word for word and checked on the date beside it. Inches are rounded to three decimal places on screen; the template is drawn at full precision.
Not affiliated with Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Ingram. The cover drawing and template are our own; check your final file in KDP’s previewer before you publish.
