About the KDP Royalty Calculator
Amazon pays KDP royalties differently for each format. Kindle eBooks earn either 35% or 70% of the list price (the 70% option also deducts a small delivery cost based on file size). Paperbacks and hardcovers earn a percentage of the list price minus the printing cost, and that percentage depends on the price you choose.
This calculator applies those rules for you. Choose a format and marketplace, enter your list price and expected sales, and it shows royalty per sale, total royalty, the printing or delivery cost Amazon deducts, and the minimum list price KDP will accept. For print books it can calculate the printing cost from your page count, trim size and ink, or you can paste the exact figure from your KDP pricing page.
Use it to compare formats before you publish, sanity-check a price change, or project earnings for a launch. All rates and print costs come from one central configuration that is dated and sourced, so you can see exactly which assumptions were used.
How It Works
For print books, the calculator finds the printing cost band that matches your page count, ink and trim size (sizes wider than 6.12" or taller than 9" are large trim). It then applies the royalty rate for your list price: 50% at or below the threshold (US$9.98, £7.98, €9.98) and 60% above it, or 40% for Expanded Distribution.
For eBooks, the 70% option applies only when your list price is within the marketplace's 70% band (US$2.99 to US$12.99 on Amazon.com). Outside that range the calculator falls back to 35% and tells you why. VAT is removed first in marketplaces where list prices include it.
Total royalty is royalty per sale multiplied by units sold. Revenue is list price multiplied by units, so you can see how much of each sale reaches you.
Formula
- Print royalty
- Royalty = (Royalty rate × List price) − Printing cost
- Printing cost
- Printing cost = Fixed cost + (Page count × Per-page cost)
- eBook 70%
- Royalty = 70% × (List price − VAT − Delivery cost)
- eBook 35%
- Royalty = 35% × (List price − VAT)
Example
A 250-page 6" × 9" black-ink paperback at $14.99 on Amazon.com
- Printing cost: $1.00 fixed + (250 × $0.012) = $4.00.
- $14.99 is above $9.98, so the royalty rate is 60%.
- Royalty per sale: (0.60 × $14.99) − $4.00 = $4.99.
- 100 sales: 100 × $4.99 = $499.00 total royalty.
You would earn about $4.99 per copy and $499 for 100 copies, before advertising or other costs.
Important Notes
- Royalties shown are estimates. Your KDP pricing page shows the exact figure for your book and marketplace.
- Print costs are configured for Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon EU, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com.au and Amazon.co.jp. Hardcover costs are configured for Amazon.com only.
- eBook delivery cost per MB is a configurable assumption; Amazon reports the actual delivery cost in your sales reports.
- Taxes withheld, currency conversion and bank fees are not included.
- Kindle Unlimited page reads are paid from a separate monthly fund and are not part of this calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What royalty does KDP pay on paperbacks?
On Amazon marketplaces, paperbacks earn 60% of the list price minus printing cost when the list price is above the threshold (US$9.98 on Amazon.com), and 50% minus printing cost at or below it. Expanded Distribution sales earn 40% minus printing cost.
When do I get the 70% eBook royalty?
Your list price must sit inside the marketplace's 70% band (US$2.99 to US$12.99 on Amazon.com) and the sale must come from an eligible territory. Delivery costs, based on file size, are deducted from 70% royalties.
Why does a price below $9.99 earn less per copy?
KDP applies a 50% rate to print books priced at or below US$9.98 and 60% above it. A small price increase across that line can raise royalty per copy noticeably, which the calculator shows instantly.
Can my paperback royalty be negative?
No. KDP will not let you publish below the minimum list price, which is printing cost divided by the royalty rate. If you enter a lower price, the calculator warns you and shows the minimum.
Does this include Kindle Unlimited earnings?
No. Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners' Lending Library payouts are based on pages read and a monthly global fund, so they are not a fixed percentage of list price.
How accurate is the printing cost?
It uses the published fixed and per-page costs for each marketplace, ink type and trim class. Your KDP pricing page is the final authority, and you can paste that exact cost using the manual option.
Related KDP Tools
- KDP Profit CalculatorTurn royalties, ad spend and other costs into net profit, profit per book and margin.
- Kindle Royalty CalculatorCompare the 35% and 70% eBook royalty options including delivery costs.
- Paperback Pricing CalculatorGet minimum, break-even and recommended paperback prices from page count, trim and ink.
- KDP Pricing CalculatorWork backwards from the profit you want to the list price you need.
- KDP Break-Even CalculatorFind how many books you must sell to recover editing, cover and launch costs.
- Hardcover Pricing CalculatorEstimate hardcover printing cost, minimum list price and a sensible price range.
Related Guides
- How KDP Royalties WorkA clear guide to KDP royalties: the 35% and 70% eBook options, delivery costs and VAT, the 50% and 60% print tiers, expanded distribution and printing costs.
- How to Price a KDP Book: Paperback and eBook Pricing ExplainedLearn how to price a KDP paperback or eBook: minimum list price, the 50% and 60% royalty tiers, the 70% eBook band, charm pricing, and a worked example.