Low-content books are repetitive and meant to be filled in, like notebooks, planners and log books. They can't use the free KDP ISBN and can't use Expanded Distribution. KDP says coloring books, puzzle books, children's books and novels are not generally low-content.
What KDP means by low-content
KDP describes a low-content book as one with minimal or no content on the interior pages, generally repetitive and designed to be filled in by the user. Activity books such as puzzle and coloring books generally don't count, because their pages aren't repetitive.
| Generally low-content | Generally not low-content |
|---|---|
| Notebooks | Novels |
| Planners | Non-fiction |
| Diaries and journals | Puzzle books |
| Prompt journals | Coloring books |
| Log books (habits, activity, gratitude) | Photography books |
| Coupon books | Sheet music |
| Score card templates | Manuals |
| Crafting templates and ephemera | Textbooks |
| Blank sheet music | Children's books |
If your book is low-content, you must tick the low-content box under Categories when you set it up. KDP says books that should be marked low-content and aren't will be rejected.
ISBN options
An ISBN identifies one edition of one book. KDP offers a free ISBN for paperbacks, or you can use your own, bought from your country's ISBN agency.
| Low-content book | Regular book | |
|---|---|---|
| Free KDP ISBN | No | Yes |
| Your own ISBN | Yes | Yes |
| Publish without an ISBN | Yes | No |
| Expanded Distribution | No | Depends on content |
| Look Inside sample | Not without an ISBN | Yes |
| Series pages | No | Yes |
You can't change the ISBN choice after publishing. To switch, you'd need to unpublish and publish again as a new book.
Expanded Distribution
Expanded Distribution makes a paperback available to bookstores and libraries through distributors. It's free to enroll, but the distributors set what they accept. Their list of content not currently accepted includes:
- Books with frequent lined or blank pages, such as journals, notebooks and planners.
- Coloring books.
- Books whose pages need a very high concentration of ink.
- Public domain content, poorly translated content and content repeated within or across books.
Low-content books can't use Expanded Distribution at all. Hardcovers aren't eligible either. When it applies, the royalty is 40% of the list price minus printing.
Where Bookhatch books fit
- Coloring books: not generally low-content, so the free KDP ISBN is available. Leave Expanded Distribution off.
- Activity and puzzle books: not generally low-content.
- Picture books and bedtime stories: children's books, not low-content.
- Novels, novellas and chapter books: not low-content.
Bookhatch doesn't make notebooks or planners today, so none of its book types should need the low-content box.
Barcodes
If you don't supply a barcode, KDP places one in a 2 × 1.2 in white box in the lower right of the back cover. Keep that area free of text and images, or the file may be rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Is a coloring book a low-content book on KDP?
Generally no. KDP lists coloring books among books that are not generally low-content.
Is a puzzle book low-content?
Generally no. KDP lists puzzle books as not generally low-content, because the pages aren't repetitive.
Can low-content books get a free ISBN?
No. Low-content books can use your own ISBN or be published without one, but they aren't eligible for the free KDP ISBN.
Can I sell a coloring book through Expanded Distribution?
Coloring books are on the distributors' list of content they don't currently accept, so expect them not to be distributed that way.
- KDP Help: Low-content books
- KDP Help: Expanded Distribution
- KDP Help: What is an ISBN and imprint?
- KDP Help: Barcodes
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.