A KDP royalty calculator helps self-published authors estimate their Amazon earnings before setting a list price. KDP pays 70% on ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99 and 60% on paperbacks priced $9.99+, minus printing costs. Use this calculator to find the price point that maximizes your per-copy earnings.
Book Details
Average ebook: 1–3 MB. Used to calculate delivery fee.
Royalty Breakdown
How to Use the KDP Royalty Calculator
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the dominant platform for self-publishing ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks. Understanding the royalty structure before you set your list price is critical to maximizing your income per copy sold.
Step 1: Choose Your Format
Select whether you're calculating for an ebook or a paperback. KDP treats these as separate products with different royalty structures. Ebooks earn a percentage of the list price with a small delivery fee deducted. Paperbacks earn a percentage of the list price minus the actual printing cost.
Step 2: Enter Your List Price
For ebooks, the critical threshold is $2.99–$9.99, which earns the 70% royalty rate. Pricing below $2.99 or above $9.99 drops to the 35% rate. For most authors, the sweet spot is $3.99–$6.99 — high enough to earn meaningful per-copy income, low enough for impulse purchases. For paperbacks, pricing at or above $9.99 earns the 60% rate vs 50% below that threshold.
Step 3: Add Print Details (Paperback Only)
Enter your page count and interior type. Most novels and non-fiction books use B&W Standard, which costs $0.85 fixed plus $0.012 per page. A 300-page book costs approximately $4.45 to print. Color interiors cost significantly more ($0.07/page) and are only justified for heavily illustrated books like children's books or art guides.
Step 4: Review the Income Projections
The calculator shows your net royalty per copy and projects monthly income at different sales volumes. These projections help you understand how many copies you need to sell to hit income goals or recoup production costs. For example, a $4.99 ebook at 70% earns approximately $3.49 per copy — selling 200 copies per month generates about $700 before taxes.
Understanding the 70% vs 35% Decision
The most common mistake new authors make is pricing below $2.99 to appear affordable. At $2.99 (70% rate), you earn $2.09 per copy. At $0.99 (35% rate), you earn $0.35 — six times less per sale. You'd need six times as many sales at $0.99 to earn the same income as $2.99. Unless you're using $0.99 strategically for a launch promotion or to boost rank in a series, pricing in the 70% band nearly always maximizes income per copy.
FAQ
What royalty rate does KDP pay for ebooks?
KDP pays 70% royalty for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and 35% for all other prices. The 70% rate applies after a small delivery fee (approximately $0.015 per MB of file size). Most ebook files are 1-3 MB, so the delivery fee is typically under $0.05.
How does KDP calculate paperback royalties?
KDP paperback royalties are calculated as: (list price × royalty rate) minus printing cost. The royalty rate is 60% for books priced at $9.99 or more, and 50% for books under $9.99. Printing cost is $0.85 fixed plus $0.012 per page for black-and-white standard interior, or $0.07 per page for color.
What is the minimum list price for a paperback on KDP?
KDP requires that your list price is high enough to cover the printing cost plus earn at least $0.00 in royalty. For a 300-page black-and-white book, the printing cost is approximately $4.45, so the minimum viable price to earn anything is around $7.42 at the 60% rate. Use this calculator to find your minimum price.
Are KDP royalties the same in all countries?
No, KDP royalty rates vary by marketplace. This calculator shows US rates. The UK, DE, FR, and other Amazon markets have their own local printing costs and delivery fees. The 70%/35% split is consistent, but delivery fees and printing costs differ. Verify current rates at KDP.amazon.com for your primary market.
How do I estimate monthly income from KDP?
Multiply your royalty per copy by your estimated monthly sales. For example, if you earn $3.50 per ebook and sell 200 copies per month, your monthly KDP income is $700. The calculator shows income projections at 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 copies per month to help you plan at different sales levels.
Is this calculator accurate for 2026?
This calculator uses KDP rates as of June 2025. KDP periodically updates printing costs and delivery fees. Always verify current rates at KDP.amazon.com before finalizing your pricing strategy, especially for printing costs which can change with paper and shipping costs.