KDP Book Formatter
Format a paperback or Kindle e-book for Amazon KDP. Upload your manuscript, pick a trim size, and the tool sets the inside margin KDP asks for at your page count, works out the spine and full cover size, and creates the interior PDF and the EPUB. Your book never leaves your browser.
Drop your manuscript here
Works with .docx, .txt, .md, .rtf and .html files. Nothing is uploaded: it all stays in your browser.
Optional. Your text is saved in this browser only, never sent anywhere, so you can come back later. Untick it to delete the saved copy.
Preparing a book for Amazon KDP
Kindle Direct Publishing asks for two separate files: an interior PDF for the paperback and an EPUB (or similar) for the Kindle e-book. This tool makes both from one manuscript and checks the print figures that KDP publishes before you upload.
It runs entirely in your browser. There is no account, nothing is uploaded and no watermark is added.
KDP paperback checklist
- Choose a trim size that KDP offers and use the same size for the cover.
- Set the inside margin from the table below. Thicker books need a larger one.
- Keep outside, top and bottom margins at 0.25 in or more. 0.5 in or more is safer.
- Use a page count of 24 or more. Blank pages count.
- Embed all fonts. The print PDF here does this when you save it.
- Work out the spine and cover size from the final page count, not an early draft.
Inside margins KDP asks for
| Page count | Minimum inside margin |
|---|---|
| 24 to 150 pages | 0.375 in |
| 151 to 300 pages | 0.5 in |
| 301 to 500 pages | 0.625 in |
| 501 to 700 pages | 0.75 in |
| 701 to 828 pages | 0.875 in |
Cover size and spine width
The spine is the page count times the thickness of one sheet: about 0.002252 in for white paper and 0.0025 in for cream paper. The full cover is two book widths plus the spine plus 0.125 in bleed on each side. The Check step calculates this from your real page count.
Before you publish
- Open the print PDF and read a few pages, especially near the spine.
- Open the EPUB in a Kindle or Apple Books app and check the chapters and contents.
- Upload to KDP and read its previewer for any warnings.
- Order a proof copy before you approve the book for sale.
How to use the KDP Book Formatter tool
- Upload a .docx, .txt or .md file, or paste your text. Chapters are found automatically.
- Click Fix all to repair quotes, double spaces, dashes and broken lines.
- Choose a style and a trim size that KDP prints, such as 5.5 x 8.5 in or 6 x 9 in.
- Open the Check step with Amazon KDP selected. Use the one-click fixes for the inside margin, then note the spine width and full cover size for your cover designer.
- Download the print PDF for the KDP paperback, and the EPUB for the Kindle e-book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official Amazon KDP tool?
No. It is an independent, free tool that follows the formatting figures KDP publishes. KDP does not check or approve files here, so always open your file in KDP's own previewer before you publish.
What margins does KDP require for a paperback?
The inside (gutter) margin depends on the page count: 0.375 in for 24 to 150 pages, 0.5 in for 151 to 300, 0.625 in for 301 to 500, 0.75 in for 501 to 700 and 0.875 in for 701 to 828. The outside margins must be at least 0.25 in. The tool sets the inside margin for you from your real page count.
Which trim sizes can I use?
Common KDP paperback sizes such as 5 x 8, 5.25 x 8, 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9 and 8.5 x 11 inches are available. Pick the one your cover will use, because the cover size depends on it.
How do I get the cover size and spine width?
The Check step shows the spine width, full cover width and full cover height, including 0.125 in bleed, from your page count and paper colour (white or cream). Give these numbers to your cover designer, or compare them with KDP's cover calculator.
How do I make the PDF for KDP?
Click Download under Print PDF. Your browser's print window opens. Choose Save as PDF, set margins to Default and turn off headers and footers. The page size is set for you and the fonts are embedded.
Can I make a Kindle e-book too?
Yes. Download the EPUB and upload it to the KDP e-book section. Add a cover picture in the Export step so it is included. Kindle may use the reader's own font, even when you embed one.
Is my manuscript uploaded anywhere?
No. Your file is read and formatted inside your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is gone when you close the page unless you tick the option to remember your book on this device.
Will KDP accept the file without errors?
The tool follows the published margin and size rules, but KDP can still flag things the tool cannot see, such as low-resolution pictures. Upload the PDF to KDP, read its previewer and fix anything it reports before you publish.