KDP royalty calculator for every scenario

KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) pays royalties based on a simple but often misunderstood formula. For print books, the royalty is a percentage of list price minus a printing cost that varies by book type and page count. For eBooks, it's a flat percentage with a small delivery fee deducted in the higher tier.

Paperback (B&W): Printing cost = $1.00 + ($0.012 × pages). Royalty on Amazon = list price × 0.60 − printing cost. Royalty through expanded distribution = list price × 0.40 − printing cost.

Hardcover (B&W): Same percentage structure, but fixed cost is $6.80 — making hardcovers require significantly higher list prices to be profitable. Hardcovers are Amazon-only (no expanded distribution).

Color paperback: Same fixed cost ($1.00) but per-page cost is $0.07 — nearly 6× the B&W rate. A 50-page coloring book costs $4.50 to print. A 100-page color activity book costs $8.00. Price accordingly.

eBook: At $2.99–$9.99, you earn 70% of list price minus a $0.15/MB delivery fee. At all other price points, you earn 35% with no delivery fee. The 70% tier always earns more within its eligible range.

The most common pricing mistake is setting a price too close to break-even. A cover that stands out in Amazon search results increases conversion; pricing that leaves room for occasional promotions sustains long-term visibility. Aim for a royalty that's at least 30% of list price after all deductions.