Free publishing tool
KDP cover calculator
Calculate paperback and hardcover spine, full-wrap, bleed, and 300 DPI dimensions from trim, paper, and page count.
Use the kdp cover calculator
Calculated from KDP's current paperback formula. Confirm against your printer's generated template before upload.
Quick answerA KDP cover calculator turns the final trim size, paper, binding, and even page count into the exact spine and full-wrap dimensions. For paperback, the sheet is the back cover plus spine plus front cover, with 0.125 inches of outer bleed on each side and on the top and bottom.
What is the KDP paperback spine-width formula?
Multiply the final page count by the paper-specific thickness: 0.002252 inches for black-and-white white paper and standard color, 0.0025 for cream paper, or 0.002347 for premium color. A 300-page white-paper paperback therefore has a 0.676-inch spine before the front and back panels are added.
Which inputs must be final before you calculate?
Use the formatted interior's even page count, not a manuscript estimate. Select the actual trim, binding, and paper that will be chosen in KDP. If pagination, paper, trim, or binding changes, recalculate the cover and regenerate the production file.
How should you verify the calculated cover?
Download the SVG guide for planning, then compare the final exported PDF with KDP's current generated template. Confirm the PDF page size, outside bleed, folds, barcode clearance, spine text threshold, and safe space around every important word or face.
Frequently asked questions
How is KDP spine width calculated?
Page count is multiplied by the paper-specific thickness. White and standard color use 0.002252 inches per page; cream uses 0.0025; premium color uses 0.002347.
Does the calculator include bleed?
Yes. Paperback output includes 0.125 inches on the top, bottom, and both outside edges.
Can I download a KDP cover template?
The SVG guide provides dimensions and panel lines; always compare it with KDP's current generated template before upload.