Royalty = rate × list price − printing cost. On Amazon.com the rate is 60% at $9.99 and above and 50% below. Black-ink books up to 110 pages cost a flat $2.30 to print at a regular trim or $2.84 at a large trim. A 102-page coloring book at $9.99 earns about $3.15 a copy.
The formula
For a paperback sold on Amazon, KDP pays:
Royalty per copyroyalty rate × list price − printing cost
Printing cost depends on page count, trim size, ink and the marketplace where the book is ordered. The examples here use Amazon.com in US dollars.
The 50% and 60% rates
On Amazon marketplaces, KDP uses two royalty rates for paperbacks, set by the list price. On Amazon.com:
- 60% at a list price of $9.99 or more.
- 50% at $9.98 or less.
That makes $9.99 an important price. The same 102-page coloring book earns $2.15 at $9.98 and $3.15 at $9.99.
Books sold through Expanded Distribution earn 40% of the list price minus printing instead.
Printing cost
| Ink | Regular trim | Large trim |
|---|---|---|
| Black, up to 110 pages | $2.30 flat | $2.84 flat |
| Black, 111 pages and up | $1.00 + $0.012 a page | $1.00 + $0.017 a page |
| Standard color (72–600 pages) | $1.00 + $0.0255 a page | $1.00 + $0.0402 a page |
| Premium color, up to 40 pages | $3.60 flat | $4.20 flat |
| Premium color, 41 pages and up | $1.00 + $0.065 a page | $1.00 + $0.08 a page |
Because short black-ink books cost a flat amount, adding pages up to 110 is free. A coloring book with 40 designs costs the same to print as one with 20.
Worked examples
| Book | Format | List price | Printing | Rate | Royalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloring book | 8.5 × 11 in · 102 pp · white | $9.99 | $2.84 | 60% | $3.15 |
| Activity book | 8.5 × 11 in · 64 pp · white | $9.99 | $2.84 | 60% | $3.15 |
| Picture book | 8.5 × 8.5 in · 24 pp · premium color | $12.99 | $4.20 | 60% | $3.59 |
| Picture book | 8.5 × 8.5 in · 48 pp · premium color | $14.99 | $4.84 | 60% | $4.15 |
| Novella | 6 × 9 in · 90 pp · cream | $9.99 | $2.30 | 60% | $3.69 |
| Short collection | 5 × 8 in · 140 pp · cream | $8.99 | $2.68 | 50% | $1.82 |
| Novel | 6 × 9 in · 300 pp · cream | $14.99 | $4.60 | 60% | $4.39 |
| Illustrated guide | 8.5 × 11 in · 80 pp · standard color | $12.99 | $4.22 | 60% | $3.58 |
Check any combination in the royalty and printing cost calculator.
Minimum list price
KDP won't let you set a list price that gives a negative royalty. The lowest workable price is the printing cost divided by the rate: for a $2.84 book at the 50% rate, that's $5.68. In practice most publishers price well above the minimum so the book earns something after any ad spend.
Pricing tips
- Look at what similar books in your niche cost and where yours fits on quality and length.
- Consider whether $9.99 works for your book, because of the higher rate.
- Color is expensive. A 48-page premium color picture book costs about $4.84 to print, so it needs a higher price than a coloring book.
- Prices in other marketplaces are set separately. Check each one in KDP's pricing page before you publish.
Frequently asked questions
What royalty does KDP pay on paperbacks?
On Amazon.com, 60% of the list price minus printing at $9.99 and above, and 50% minus printing at $9.98 and below. Expanded Distribution pays 40% minus printing.
How much does KDP charge to print a book?
Black-ink paperbacks up to 110 pages cost $2.30 at a regular trim or $2.84 at a large trim on Amazon.com. Longer and color books cost a fixed amount plus a per-page charge.
Is it better to price at $9.99?
Often, because the royalty rate rises from 50% to 60%. Whether buyers accept $9.99 depends on your niche and how your book compares.
Do printing costs differ by country?
Yes. Each marketplace has its own printing costs and price thresholds. The examples here are for Amazon.com.
Checked against KDP's help pages on 6 November 2026. KDP changes its rules from time to time, so confirm anything important on KDP's own pages before you publish. Bookhatch is not affiliated with Amazon.