KDP Print Cost & Profit Calculator
See exactly what Amazon charges to print your book and how much you keep per sale. Compare profit at different price points.
Print Cost
$2.65
per copy
Your Royalty
$6.34
per sale
Profit Margin
42.3%
of list price
Min. Price
$4.43
break-even
At $6.34 royalty, you need 16 sales to earn $100.
Profit at Different Price Points
| List Price | Print Cost | Royalty | Margin | 100 Sales/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9.99 | $2.65 | $3.34 | 33.5% | $334 |
| $12.99 | $2.65 | $5.14 | 39.6% | $514 |
| $14.99 | $2.65 | $6.34 | 42.3% | $634 |
| $17.99 | $2.65 | $8.14 | 45.3% | $814 |
| $19.99 | $2.65 | $9.34 | 46.7% | $934 |
| $24.99 | $2.65 | $12.34 | 49.4% | $1234 |
Based on Amazon KDP 60% royalty rate. Printing costs vary by marketplace, paper type, and ink. Always confirm final figures in your KDP dashboard.
Maximize Your KDP Profit Margins
Reduce Print Costs
Black-and-white interior is 6× cheaper per page than color. Use color only when it adds real reader value — coloring books, cookbooks, photo books.
Price Strategically
Most successful KDP books price 2.5–3× their print cost. This gives a 25–35% margin while staying competitive in your category.
Multi-Format Revenue
Pair every paperback with a Kindle ebook. Ebooks have zero print cost, so they boost your overall margin significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Amazon KDP calculate printing costs?+
KDP printing costs have two components: a fixed charge per book (based on marketplace and binding type) plus a per-page charge that depends on ink type (black-and-white vs. color) and paper stock. For US paperbacks, the fixed charge is $0.85, and black-and-white pages cost $0.012 each. Color pages cost $0.07 each.
What is the minimum list price on KDP?+
Amazon requires your list price to be high enough that your royalty is at least $0.01 after printing costs are deducted. This effectively sets a floor price equal to (printing cost ÷ 0.60) rounded up. Our calculator shows this minimum price for every configuration.
How much does it cost to print a KDP hardcover?+
KDP hardcover (case laminate) printing costs are higher than paperback. The fixed charge is approximately $6.80 for US marketplace, plus per-page costs. A 200-page B&W hardcover typically costs around $9.20 to print.
What profit margin should I target for a KDP book?+
Most successful KDP publishers target a minimum royalty of $3–$5 per paperback unit and $5–$8 per hardcover. For ebooks, aim for at least $2–$3 per sale. Higher page counts and color interiors require higher list prices to maintain healthy margins.
Ready to price your next book?
KDP Builder takes you from this free tool to a complete, upload-ready package — manuscript or interior, cover, and metadata.
More Free KDP Tools
Keep prepping your book — every tool below is free and needs no signup.
Spine Width Calculator
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KDP Royalty Calculator
Estimate earnings for paperback, hardcover and ebook across marketplaces.
Page Count Calculator
Convert word count to pages for any trim size, font, and line spacing.
Trim Size Picker
4-question quiz to find the best KDP trim size for your book type and audience.
Related KDP Guides
Step-by-step formatting guides that pair with this tool.
Ready to Build the Whole Book?
Take it further with a complete, Amazon-ready project in KDP Builder.