KDP Cover Size Calculator: Spine, Bleed & Template Size
Calculate exact KDP cover size, spine width, bleed, and full-wrap dimensions for paperback or hardcover before you design or upload.
Last updated: 2026-05-29
Pre-sized cover layout with trim, bleed, and spine guides.
Use the KDP book size calculator
Results
Spine
0.450"
11.43 mm
Width
12.700"
322.58 mm
Height
9.250"
234.95 mm
| Bleed | 0.125 in |
| Safe zone | 0.125 in |
25.4 mm = 1 in
Quick answer
KDP cover size formula for paperback wraps
A KDP paperback cover is one continuous wrap: back cover, spine, and front cover. The full paperback cover width is bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleed. The full cover height is bleed + trim height + bleed. Use the calculator above to turn that formula into exact inches or millimeters for your trim size, page count, paper type, and binding.
Official reference: KDP Cover Calculator and Templates and KDP Print Publishing Guidelines.
What each calculator result means
| Result field | Formula or value | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Full cover width | bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleed | Set the custom canvas width for the full paperback wrap. |
| Full cover height | bleed + trim height + bleed | Set the custom canvas height, including the top and bottom bleed. |
| Spine width | page count × paper thickness | Recalculate whenever the final page count or paper type changes. |
| Bleed | 0.125 in on outer edges | Extend backgrounds and edge-to-edge art to the bleed edge. |
| Safe zone | at least 0.25 in from the bleed line | Keep readable text, logos, and key artwork inside this area. |
| Barcode zone | 2 in × 1.2 in on the back cover | Leave this area clear unless you place your own ISBN barcode. |
Why page count changes spine width
KDP spine width is not a fixed value for a trim size. It changes when your formatted page count changes, and it also changes by paper stock. That is why a 6 × 9 paperback with 120 pages needs a different cover template from a 6 × 9 paperback with 300 pages.
| Paper | Factor | Example |
|---|---|---|
| B&W white paper | 0.002252 in/page | 300 pages → 0.6756 in spine |
| B&W cream paper | 0.0025 in/page | 300 pages → 0.75 in spine |
| Color white paper | 0.002347 in/page | 300 pages → 0.7041 in spine |
If the manuscript changes after layout, recalculate before opening a KDP cover template or exporting the final wrap.
6 × 9 KDP Book Size Calculator Examples (Paperback)
A widely used trade trim across genres. Below are precomputed sizes from our KDP book size calculator, including bleed.
| Paper (B&W) | Pages | Spine (in) | Full width (in) | Full height (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 100 | 0.225 | 12.475 | 9.250 |
| White | 120 | 0.270 | 12.520 | 9.250 |
| White | 200 | 0.450 | 12.700 | 9.250 |
| White | 300 | 0.676 | 12.926 | 9.250 |
| Cream | 100 | 0.250 | 12.500 | 9.250 |
| Cream | 120 | 0.300 | 12.550 | 9.250 |
| Cream | 200 | 0.500 | 12.750 | 9.250 |
| Cream | 300 | 0.750 | 13.000 | 9.250 |
Full width and height include bleed. For hardcover, dimensions are larger due to wrap and hinge; use the calculator above.
5 × 8 KDP Book Size Calculator Examples (Paperback)
A classic compact trim often used for fiction and poetry. Below are precomputed sizes including bleed.
| Paper (B&W) | Pages | Spine (in) | Full width (in) | Full height (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 100 | 0.225 | 10.475 | 8.250 |
| White | 120 | 0.270 | 10.520 | 8.250 |
| White | 200 | 0.450 | 10.700 | 8.250 |
| White | 300 | 0.676 | 10.926 | 8.250 |
| Cream | 100 | 0.250 | 10.500 | 8.250 |
| Cream | 120 | 0.300 | 10.550 | 8.250 |
| Cream | 200 | 0.500 | 10.750 | 8.250 |
| Cream | 300 | 0.750 | 11.000 | 8.250 |
5.5 × 8.5 KDP Book Size Calculator Examples (Paperback)
Another popular trade size for both fiction and non‑fiction. Values below include bleed.
| Paper (B&W) | Pages | Spine (in) | Full width (in) | Full height (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 100 | 0.225 | 11.475 | 8.750 |
| White | 120 | 0.270 | 11.520 | 8.750 |
| White | 200 | 0.450 | 11.700 | 8.750 |
| White | 300 | 0.676 | 11.926 | 8.750 |
| Cream | 100 | 0.250 | 11.500 | 8.750 |
| Cream | 120 | 0.300 | 11.550 | 8.750 |
| Cream | 200 | 0.500 | 11.750 | 8.750 |
| Cream | 300 | 0.750 | 12.000 | 8.750 |
How do I set up Photoshop / Canva for KDP covers?
Photoshop
- • Units: Inches; Resolution: 300 DPI
- • Color Mode: CMYK for print preview
- • Canvas Size: Use Full Width × Full Height from the calculator
- • Export: PDF/X-1a:2001 or High Quality Print
Canva
- • Create Design > Custom Size: Enter Inches
- • Width/Height: Use Full Width / Full Height values
- • Keep critical text/logos inside the Safe Zone
- • Download: PDF Print (select "Crop marks and bleed")
How to use the KDP Cover Size Calculator
Confirm the final page count (any even number between 24–1000); this determines the spine width.
Choose cover type (paperback/hardcover), paper type and trim size.
Review the inch/mm output and double-check bleed and safe zone.
Click "Open this size in KDP Cover Creator (Free)" to design your cover online.
Why trim, bleed, and spine math still cause KDP cover rejections
KDP checks full-wrap dimensions early. If trim, spine width, bleed, or safe-zone values are wrong, even by a small amount, the final cover can be rejected or print off-center.
KDP Book Size Calculator Terminology: Cover Dimensions, Bleed & Spine
| Term | Definition | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Bleed (paperback) | Extra area beyond trim to avoid white edges | 0.125 in |
| Safe zone | Keep text/logos inside this distance from trim | ≥ 0.125 in |
| Spine width | Pages × paper thickness (varies by stock) | dynamic |
| Hinge (hardcover) | Flexible zone next to spine | 0.394 in each side |
| Wrap / Turn‑in (hardcover) | Extra area that wraps around boards | 0.591 in each side/top/bottom |
Paperback vs Hardcover KDP Cover Size Differences
- • Paperback: width = 2 × trim width + spine + 2 × 0.125 in; height = trim height + 2 × 0.125 in.
- • Hardcover (case laminate): width = 2 × trim width + spine + 0.394 + 2 × 0.591; height = trim height + 0.236 + 2 × 0.591.
- • Spine width depends only on pages × paper thickness (white/cream/color).
Common KDP Cover Size Errors & Calculator Fixes
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect trim size | Canvas not set to full width/height including bleed | Recreate the canvas with the calculator output (in/mm). |
| Spine text cutoff | Text outside spine safe zone or font too large | Reduce the font size or increase pages; keep text inside the safe zone. |
| White edge after trimming | Background doesn’t fill the bleed area | Extend artwork into the 0.125 in bleed on outer edges. |
| Blurry print | Effective resolution < 300 DPI at final size | Export a 300 DPI print‑ready PDF. |
KDP Book Size Calculator FAQ
Q1: How do I get the exact KDP cover size for my book?
What is 0.002252 in KDP spine width calculation?
What size is a 6x9 KDP cover?
Q2: Are these templates compatible with Canva?
Q3: Does the calculator include the required 0.125" bleed?
Q4: What is the difference between KDP Hardcover and Paperback dimensions?
Q5: Why should I export my cover as a 300 DPI PDF?
Q6: Where should I leave space for the Amazon barcode?
Why does page count change KDP spine width?
Why did KDP reject my cover size?
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