Free tool
KDP Cover Calculator
Enter the trim size, the paper and the page count of your paperback. Get the full cover size, the spine width and the safe areas, then download a template as a PDF or a PNG. No account needed.
Full cover file
12.52 x 9.25 in
Spine width
0.27 in
At 300 DPI
3756 x 2775 px
| Element | Width x height | In millimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Full cover file | 12.52 x 9.25 in | 318 x 235 mm |
| Front cover and back cover (each) | 6 x 9 in | 152.4 x 228.6 mm |
| Spine width | 0.27 in | 6.9 mm |
| Safe area (front and back) | 5.875 x 8.75 in | 149.2 x 222.3 mm |
| Spine safe area | 0.145 x 8.75 in | 3.7 x 222.3 mm |
| Bleed (top, bottom, outside edges) | 0.125 in | 3.2 mm |
| Margin inside the trim lines | 0.125 in | 3.2 mm |
| Spine margin (each side) | 0.0625 in | 1.6 mm |
| Barcode area | 2 x 1.2 in | 50.8 x 30.5 mm |
| Text on the spine | Allowed (79 pages or more) | |
Back cover on the left, spine in the middle, front cover on the right (left-to-right book). Image for reference only.
Free tool, no account needed. Paperback covers only. Not affiliated with Amazon.
How the cover size is calculated
A KDP paperback cover is a single file that contains the back cover, the spine and the front cover as one image. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover) Amazon gives two formulas: (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Cover width = bleed + back cover width + spine width + front cover width + bleed
- Cover height = bleed + trim height + bleed
The bleed is 0.125 inch (3.2 mm): it is added to the top, bottom and outside edges of the cover. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
Spine width by paper
The spine width is the page count multiplied by the thickness of one page: (source: KDP Help, Paperback Submission Guidelines)
| Interior and paper | Spine width |
|---|---|
| Black and white, white paper | page count x 0.002252 in (0.0572 mm) |
| Black and white, cream paper | page count x 0.0025 in (0.0635 mm) |
| Black and white, groundwood paper | page count x 0.00235 in (0.0596 mm) |
| Premium color, white paper | page count x 0.002347 in (0.0596 mm) |
| Standard color, white paper | page count x 0.002252 in (0.0572 mm) |
Source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover and Paperback Submission Guidelines, read on October 6, 2026.
Example. A 6 x 9 inch book with 120 pages on white paper has a spine of 120 x 0.002252 = 0.27 inch. The cover file is 0.125 + 6 + 0.27 + 6 + 0.125 = 12.52 inches wide and 0.125 + 9 + 0.125 = 9.25 inches high.
What the areas of the template mean
- Bleed (red). This part is trimmed off. A background color or image must extend 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) beyond the trim line, so that no white border appears. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Margin (yellow). Front and back cover text must stay at least 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) inside the trim lines. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Safe area (white). Place your text and important images here.
- Spine (blue). Spine text needs at least 0.0625 inch (1.6 mm) on each side, and the book must have at least 79 pages. Otherwise the cover is rejected. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Barcode area (orange). The suggested barcode size is 2 x 1.2 inches, at least 0.25 inch from the spine and the trim. If you do not provide a barcode, KDP adds one, and covers with images or text in the barcode location are rejected. (source: KDP Help, Barcodes)
Amazon also notes that the spine can shift during binding, and does not recommend hard edges on the spine. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
Before you upload your cover
- Save the cover as a single PDF with the back cover, the spine and the front cover as one image. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Remove crop marks, template text and guides, including this template. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Use images of at least 300 DPI, and text of at least 7 point. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Embed your fonts and flatten transparencies. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
- Check that the title and the author name on the cover match your book details exactly. (source: KDP Help, Create a Paperback Cover)
Amazon has its own cover calculator and template generator, which also covers hardcovers. On October 6, 2026 we compared this tool with it on 29 books: 282 of the 290 values were identical, and the 8 others differed by 0.001 inch.
The rest of the book
The cover is one step among several. Our guide how to create a puzzle book for Amazon KDP goes through the trim size, the interior, the ISBN and the upload, and KDP margins and trim sizes for puzzle books gives the minimum margins of the interior by page count.
Need the inside of the book too?
LogikLand generates the interior of Sudoku, crossword, word search and maze books for Amazon KDP, in 8.5 x 11 or 6 x 9 inches, exported as a PDF or an editable PPTX file. Commercial rights come with the PRO and EXPERT plans.
KDP cover calculator: frequently asked questions
How is the size of a KDP paperback cover calculated?
The cover file is one image with the back cover, the spine and the front cover. Its width is: bleed + back cover width + spine width + front cover width + bleed. Its height is: bleed + trim height + bleed. The bleed is 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) on the top, bottom and outside edges.
How do I calculate the spine width for KDP?
Multiply the page count by the thickness of one page: 0.002252 inch for white paper, 0.0025 inch for cream paper, 0.00235 inch for groundwood paper, 0.002347 inch for premium color and 0.002252 inch for standard color. A 120-page book on white paper has a spine of 120 x 0.002252 = 0.27 inch.
When can I put text on the spine?
Amazon KDP requires at least 79 pages for spine text. With fewer pages, a cover with spine text is rejected. Spine text also needs at least 0.0625 inch (1.6 mm) of space on each side.
Where does the barcode go on a KDP cover?
If you do not provide your own barcode, KDP places one on the back cover. The suggested barcode size is 2 x 1.2 inches, positioned at least 0.25 inch from the spine and from the trim. Covers with images or text in the barcode location are rejected, so keep that area empty.
Does this calculator give the same result as Amazon's cover calculator?
It uses the formulas published in the KDP Help. On October 6, 2026 we compared it with the official KDP cover calculator on 29 books: 282 of the 290 values were identical, and the 8 others differed by 0.001 inch, in cases where the exact value falls exactly halfway between two thousandths of an inch. Always check your cover in KDP's previewer before you publish.
Does it work for hardcover books?
No. This tool covers paperbacks only. Hardcover covers follow different rules: use the official KDP cover calculator for them.
Is this KDP cover calculator free?
Yes. It is free and needs no account. You can calculate as many covers as you like and download the template as a PDF or as a PNG at 300 DPI.
How do I use the template?
Open the PDF or PNG in your design software and use it as a guide layer under your artwork. Keep text inside the white safe areas and leave the barcode area empty. Remove the template layer before you export: your cover must be a single PDF without template text or guides.
Sources
Every Amazon KDP requirement on this page comes from the official KDP Help, as it read on October 6, 2026. Amazon can change its requirements at any time: check the official pages before you publish.
- Create a Paperback Cover - Amazon KDP Help
- Paperback Submission Guidelines - Amazon KDP Help
- Barcodes - Amazon KDP Help
- Set Trim Size, Bleed, and Margins - Amazon KDP Help
- Print Options - Amazon KDP Help
LogikLand is not affiliated with Amazon.
Related: Blog | Sudoku book generator | Free word search maker | Free crossword puzzle maker
Last updated: October 6, 2026