{"id":11542,"date":"2026-03-24T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T09:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/?p=11542"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:29:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:29:26","slug":"kdp-publishing-formats-ebook-paperback-hardcover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-publishing-formats-ebook-paperback-hardcover\/","title":{"rendered":"What Formats Can You Publish on KDP? eBook, Paperback &#038; Hardcover"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"vap-art\">\n<div style=\"background: #0c0c0f; border-radius: 16px; padding: 52px; margin-bottom: 48px; position: relative; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 24px;\"><span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; padding: 5px 14px; background: rgba(50,186,211,.12); border: 1px solid rgba(50,186,211,.35); border-radius: 20px; font-size: 10px; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #32bad3; font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase; margin-right: 8px;\">KDP Fundamentals \u00b7 Vappingo<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; padding: 5px 14px; background: rgba(255,255,255,.04); border: 1px solid rgba(50,186,211,.2); border-radius: 20px; font-size: 10px; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; letter-spacing: 1.5px; color: #32bad3; text-transform: uppercase;\">C1 \u00b7 Article 1.9<\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size: clamp(24px,3.8vw,40px); font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.1; color: #f2f0f5; margin: 0 0 18px; font-family: 'DM Sans',sans-serif;\">What Formats Can You Publish on KDP? <em style=\"font-style: normal; color: #32bad3;\">eBook, Paperback &amp; Hardcover<\/em><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #c8c4d8; line-height: 1.8; max-width: 560px; margin: 0 0 28px; padding: 0;\">The full breakdown of every format available on KDP \u2014 technical requirements, royalty differences, what each suits, and how to decide which to offer.<\/p>\n<div style=\"border-top: 1px solid #32323f; padding-top: 20px;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: auto; background: transparent;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0 28px 0 0; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle; border: none; background: transparent;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 11px; color: #9490a8; letter-spacing: .5px; vertical-align: middle;\">10-minute read<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0 28px 0 0; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle; border: none; background: transparent;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 11px; color: #9490a8; letter-spacing: .5px; vertical-align: middle;\">Beginner<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle; border: none; background: transparent;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 11px; color: #9490a8; letter-spacing: .5px; vertical-align: middle;\">Updated 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"vap-toc\" aria-label=\"Article contents\">\n<div class=\"vap-toc-label\">In this article<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#format-ebook\">Kindle eBook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#format-paperback\">Paperback<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#format-hardcover\">Hardcover<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#format-requirements\">File requirements by format<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#format-linking\">Linking formats together<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#format-which\">Which formats should you offer?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<p>KDP supports three publishing formats: Kindle eBook, paperback, and hardcover. Each has different technical requirements, different royalty structures, different reader audiences, and different strategic considerations. Understanding how each one works helps you decide which to offer and in what order to prioritise them. For the full publishing roadmap, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/self-publishing-amazon-kdp-beginners-guide\/\">complete beginner&#8217;s guide to self-publishing on Amazon KDP<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"format-ebook\">Kindle eBook<\/h2>\n<p>The Kindle eBook is KDP&#8217;s original format and still the most popular for independent authors. eBooks are delivered instantly to any device running the Kindle app \u2014 Kindle e-readers, smartphones, tablets, and computers. There are no printing costs, which means a higher royalty margin and no minimum pricing floor driven by production costs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Royalties:<\/strong> 70% for books priced $2.99\u2013$9.99 (minus delivery fee); 35% outside this range.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What it suits:<\/strong> Fiction of all genres, business and self-help, narrative non-fiction, most category non-fiction. eBooks work less well for books where layout precision matters \u2014 cookbooks, illustrated reference, children&#8217;s picture books \u2014 because the reflowable Kindle format does not guarantee page-level layout control.<\/p>\n<p><strong>File formats accepted:<\/strong> .docx, .epub, .pdf, .html, .mobi, .rtf, and .txt. For most authors, uploading a .docx (Word) file and letting KDP&#8217;s converter handle the rest is the simplest approach. For complex layouts, creating an .epub directly using a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atticus.io\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Atticus<\/a> gives you more control over the output.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cover requirements:<\/strong> JPEG or TIFF, minimum 1,000 pixels on the short side, maximum 10,000 pixels on either side. Ideal dimensions are 2,560 \u00d7 1,600 pixels (1:1.6 ratio).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"format-paperback\">Paperback<\/h2>\n<p>KDP&#8217;s paperback option uses print-on-demand technology. Each copy is printed when an order is placed \u2014 there is no minimum print run, no upfront printing cost, and no inventory to manage. Amazon uses digital printing facilities in the US, UK, and Europe to fulfil orders, which means delivery times are similar to any other Amazon product.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Royalties:<\/strong> 60% of list price minus Amazon&#8217;s printing cost (which varies by page count, trim size, and interior colour).<\/p>\n<p><strong>What it suits:<\/strong> Most book categories. Non-fiction readers particularly tend to prefer paperbacks \u2014 many readers of business, self-help, and reference books want to make notes and mark pages. Having a paperback option available significantly broadens your audience for these categories.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trim sizes available:<\/strong> Multiple sizes including 5&#8243; \u00d7 8&#8243;, 5.06&#8243; \u00d7 7.81&#8243;, 5.25&#8243; \u00d7 8&#8243;, 5.5&#8243; \u00d7 8.5&#8243;, 6&#8243; \u00d7 9&#8243;, and several others. 5.5&#8243; \u00d7 8.5&#8243; and 6&#8243; \u00d7 9&#8243; are the most common for novels and non-fiction respectively.<\/p>\n<p><strong>File requirements:<\/strong> A PDF created to KDP&#8217;s print specifications \u2014 correct margins (minimum 0.25&#8243; on all sides, with the inside margin depending on page count), correct trim size, images at 300 DPI minimum, and either no bleed or full bleed applied correctly. For the complete specification guide, read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-print-specifications-bleed-margins-trim\/\">KDP print specifications<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Interior colour:<\/strong> Black-and-white interiors are substantially cheaper to print than colour interiors. Most fiction and text-heavy non-fiction uses black-and-white. Cookbooks, children&#8217;s books, and illustrated titles typically require colour, which significantly increases the printing cost and therefore the minimum viable list price.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"format-hardcover\">Hardcover<\/h2>\n<p>KDP added hardcover publishing in 2021. The process is nearly identical to paperback \u2014 the same print-on-demand model, the same file preparation requirements \u2014 but with a case-bound cover instead of a glued paperback cover. Hardcovers have higher printing costs than paperbacks and therefore require higher list prices to achieve a positive royalty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Royalties:<\/strong> 60% of list price minus printing cost (higher than paperback equivalent).<\/p>\n<p><strong>What it suits:<\/strong> Gift books, illustrated titles, memoirs and narrative non-fiction where a premium format feels appropriate, business books targeting a corporate readership, and any title where readers have demonstrated willingness to pay a higher price point for a physical object.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility:<\/strong> Not all titles are eligible for hardcover through KDP. KDP checks eligibility automatically during your title setup and will inform you if your title does not qualify. Common ineligibility reasons include trim size or page count falling outside supported ranges.<\/p>\n<p>For a detailed comparison of the two print formats, see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-hardcover-vs-paperback\/\">KDP hardcover vs paperback<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"format-requirements\">File Requirements Summary by Format<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>eBook manuscript:<\/strong> .docx, .epub, or .pdf. Formatted for reflowable reading. No fixed-position layouts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>eBook cover:<\/strong> JPEG or TIFF, 2,560 \u00d7 1,600 px recommended, under 50 MB.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paperback\/Hardcover manuscript:<\/strong> PDF only. Must match your chosen trim size exactly, with correct margins, bleed (if applicable), and 300 DPI images.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paperback\/Hardcover cover:<\/strong> PDF only. Full-wrap file including front, spine (width calculated from page count and paper type), and back. KDP provides a cover template generator for each trim size.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"format-linking\">Linking Formats Together<\/h2>\n<p>When you publish the same book in multiple formats, Amazon links them together on a single product page so readers see all available options with a format selector. This linking happens automatically once all formats are live, though it can take 24\u201348 hours after the second format goes live to appear.<\/p>\n<p>Each format has its own ASIN (Amazon&#8217;s product identifier) and its own separate KDP entry in your Bookshelf. You manage them independently \u2014 you can update the eBook description without touching the paperback, for instance.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"format-which\">Which Formats Should You Offer?<\/h2>\n<p>The standard recommendation for most authors is: <strong>eBook first, paperback second, hardcover only if it suits your book<\/strong>. eBook setup is simpler and faster; it generates data about your book&#8217;s reception before you invest in print file preparation. Before you begin, prepare your metadata with a <a href=\"https:\/\/app.vappingo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KDP metadata tool<\/a> like KDP Rank Fuel \u2014 so your keywords, categories, and description are ready to go when your files are. Adding paperback broadens your audience and adds a meaningful search result on Amazon. Hardcover is worth considering only when you have evidence that your readership values a premium physical edition.<\/p>\n<p>Getting your metadata right across all formats \u2014 the same accurate keywords, categories, and description \u2014 is where a <a href=\"https:\/\/app.vappingo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KDP metadata tool<\/a> like KDP Rank Fuel adds real value. A single optimised description and keyword set, applied consistently across all your formats, ensures that every version of your book is pulling in the right readers from the right searches. The dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/app.vappingo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KDP metadata tool<\/a> built into KDP Rank Fuel by Vappingo handles all of this \u2014 keywords, description, and categories generated together from a single input.<\/p>\n<p>And before any format goes live, your manuscript needs to be error-free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/Proofreading-Services\/Manuscript-Proofreading-Services\">Fiction manuscript proofreading<\/a> from Vappingo ensures that what readers find inside your book matches the professional presentation of the cover and listing.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #1c1c22; border-radius: 12px; padding: 32px; margin-top: 52px;\">\n<p style=\"font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #32bad3; margin: 0 0 20px 0; padding: 0;\">Continue Reading \u00b7 KDP Fundamentals<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%; padding: 0 5px 10px 0; vertical-align: top; height: 1px;\"><a style=\"display: block; background: #252530; border: 1px solid #32323f; border-radius: 8px; padding: 15px 17px; text-decoration: none; height: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/self-publishing-amazon-kdp-beginners-guide\/\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #32bad3; margin-bottom: 7px;\">Cornerstone<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-size: 13.5px; font-weight: 600; color: #c8c4d8; line-height: 1.4; font-family: 'DM Sans',sans-serif;\">The Complete Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%; padding: 0 0 10px 5px; vertical-align: top; height: 1px;\"><a style=\"display: block; background: #252530; border: 1px solid #32323f; border-radius: 8px; padding: 15px 17px; text-decoration: none; height: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-hardcover-vs-paperback\/\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #32bad3; margin-bottom: 7px;\">Formats<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-size: 13.5px; font-weight: 600; color: #c8c4d8; line-height: 1.4; font-family: 'DM Sans',sans-serif;\">KDP Hardcover vs Paperback: Which Should You Offer?<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%; padding: 0 5px 0 0; vertical-align: top; height: 1px;\"><a style=\"display: block; background: #252530; border: 1px solid #32323f; border-radius: 8px; padding: 15px 17px; text-decoration: none; height: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/how-to-format-kdp-ebook\/\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #32bad3; margin-bottom: 7px;\">Formatting<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-size: 13.5px; font-weight: 600; color: #c8c4d8; line-height: 1.4; font-family: 'DM Sans',sans-serif;\">How to Format a KDP eBook: The Complete Guide<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%; padding: 0 0 0 5px; vertical-align: top; height: 1px;\"><a style=\"display: block; background: #252530; border: 1px solid #32323f; border-radius: 8px; padding: 15px 17px; text-decoration: none; height: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-print-specifications-bleed-margins-trim\/\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-family: 'DM Mono','Courier New',monospace; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #32bad3; margin-bottom: 7px;\">Print Specs<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"display: block; font-size: 13.5px; font-weight: 600; color: #c8c4d8; line-height: 1.4; font-family: 'DM Sans',sans-serif;\">KDP Print Specifications: Bleed, Margins and Trim Sizes Explained<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><!-- ============================================================ ARTICLE 1.10 URL: https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/how-to-set-up-kdp-account\/ KDP Rank Fuel anchor: KDP Rank Fuel by Vappingo Proofreading anchor: KDP manuscript proofreading service ============================================================ --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KDP Fundamentals \u00b7 Vappingo C1 \u00b7 Article 1.9 What Formats Can You Publish on KDP? eBook, Paperback &amp; Hardcover The full breakdown of every format available on KDP \u2014 technical requirements, royalty differences, what each suits, and how to decide which to offer. 10-minute read Beginner Updated 2025 In this article Kindle eBook Paperback Hardcover &#8230; <a title=\"What Formats Can You Publish on KDP? eBook, Paperback &#038; Hardcover\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/kdp-publishing-formats-ebook-paperback-hardcover\/\" aria-label=\"More on What Formats Can You Publish on KDP? eBook, Paperback &#038; Hardcover\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kdp-publishing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11542"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11544,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11542\/revisions\/11544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vappingo.com\/word-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}