KDP trim sizes
Every size in KDP's standard catalog, with the two facts that actually drive the decision: which printing-cost table it falls on, and whether hardcover is available.
All 16 sizes compared
Printing costs are for a 200-page black-ink paperback on white paper, sold on Amazon.com — one shared page count so the column compares sizes rather than books.
| Trim size | Cost band | Hardcover | Print cost at 200 pages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5" × 8" | Standard | — | $3.40 | Pocket-sized fiction, poetry, and short devotionals |
| 5.06" × 7.81" | Standard | — | $3.40 | Matching the classic mass-market paperback footprint |
| 5.25" × 8" | Standard | — | $3.40 | A slightly roomier alternative to 5 × 8 |
| 5.5" × 8.5" | Standard | Yes | $3.40 | Digest-sized non-fiction, workbooks, and journals |
| 6" × 9" | Standard | Yes | $3.40 | The default trim for almost every kind of book |
| 6.14" × 9.21" | Large | Yes | $6.24 | A slightly larger book than 6 × 9, at large-trim printing rates |
| 6.69" × 9.61" | Large | — | $6.24 | Larger-format fiction and reference work |
| 7" × 10" | Large | Yes | $6.24 | Workbooks, textbooks, and illustrated non-fiction |
| 7.44" × 9.69" | Large | — | $6.24 | Textbook-proportioned academic and technical work |
| 7.5" × 9.25" | Large | — | $6.24 | Manuals and guides needing wide margins for notes |
| 8" × 10" | Large | — | $6.24 | Photo books, cookbooks, and image-led non-fiction |
| 8.25" × 6" | Large | — | $6.24 | Landscape-format children's and gift books |
| 8.25" × 8.25" | Large | — | $6.24 | Square children's books and photo collections |
| 8.25" × 11" | Large | Yes | $6.24 | Puzzle books, activity books, and large-format workbooks |
| 8.5" × 8.5" | Large | — | $6.24 | Larger square photo and gift books |
| 8.5" × 11" | Large | — | $6.24 | US Letter workbooks, planners, and journals |
Printing rates from KDP's paperback printing-cost page, last verified 22 July 2026.
The 6.12-inch line that costs real money
KDP splits its printing into a standard-size table and a large-size table, and the boundary is 6.12 inches wide or 9 inches tall. Cross either and the book prints on the more expensive table.
This catches people because the boundary does not correspond to anything you can see. 6 × 9 inches is standard. 6.14 × 9.21 inches is large. Held side by side they look like the same book — but at the same page count they are priced from different tables, and over a print run that difference compounds.
The practical advice is narrow: if you are choosing between two trims that look alike, check which band each is in before deciding on aesthetics. The cost band column above shows it for every size.
Frequently asked questions
Which KDP trim size should I choose?
6 × 9 inches unless you have a specific reason not to. It is the most-used size on KDP, so it has the widest choice of cover templates and the most familiar proportions to readers, and it sits inside the cheaper standard-size printing band. Activity books, planners, and workbooks are the main exception — those want a large trim such as 8.25 × 11 or 8.5 × 11 for the writing space.
What is the difference between a standard and a large trim?
KDP prices printing from two different tables and picks between them by size. A trim is large once it exceeds 6.12 inches wide or 9 inches tall. The large table is more expensive per copy, so two visually similar sizes can cost noticeably different amounts — 6 × 9 is standard while 6.14 × 9.21 is large, despite a difference you cannot see.
Can I change my trim size after publishing?
You can, but it means re-doing the interior layout and the cover, because every margin and the entire cover file depend on the trim. It is much cheaper to decide before you lay out the book than after.
Which trim sizes support hardcover?
Only five of KDP's standard sizes: 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10, and 8.25 × 11 inches. If a hardcover edition matters to you, that constraint should shape the trim decision from the start rather than come as a surprise later.
Does trim size affect my page count?
Yes, indirectly. A narrower page fits fewer words per line, so the same manuscript runs longer at 5 × 8 than at 6 × 9. Since KDP charges a per-page amount above a threshold, a longer book costs more to print — which is why the smallest trims are not automatically the cheapest.
Can I use a custom trim size on KDP?
KDP accepts custom paperback trims within published bounds — roughly 4 to 8.5 inches wide and 6 to 11.69 inches tall. The trade-off is that a non-standard size is not eligible for every distribution option, and you lose the cover templates and design resources that exist for the standard catalog.
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