Estimated Royalty
How Amazon KDP royalties work in 2026
Paperback & Hardcover: Amazon KDP pays a flat 60% royalty on the list price, minus the printing cost. The formula is: Royalty = (List Price × 0.60) − Printing Cost. Printing cost depends on page count, color vs B&W, paper type, trim size, and marketplace.
eBook: Amazon offers two royalty plans. The 70% plan requires a list price between $2.99 and $9.99 (US), and Amazon deducts a delivery fee based on file size. The 35% plan applies to any price with no delivery fee. Most authors choose 70% within the price window.
Paperback printing cost (Amazon US, 2026)
For a standard B&W paperback (60–828 pages): fixed $0.85 + $0.012 per page. Color is more expensive: Premium Color at $1.00 + $0.07/page. These rates are the official 2026 KDP printing costs and may vary slightly per marketplace.
Why prices and royalties differ per marketplace
Each Amazon marketplace has its own currency, list price minimums, and printing costs. A 200-page paperback at $9.99 in the US won\'t earn the same royalty in EUR or GBP — the calculator above adjusts for each market.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the KDP paperback royalty calculated?
- Royalty = (List Price × 0.60) − Printing Cost. The 60% rate is fixed by Amazon for paperbacks; printing cost depends on page count, ink type and trim size.
- How is the KDP eBook royalty calculated?
- 70% plan: (List Price − Delivery Cost) × 0.70 — eligible only at $2.99–$9.99 (US). 35% plan: List Price × 0.35 — any price, no delivery fee.
- What is the printing cost for a 100-page B&W paperback?
- $0.85 + (100 × $0.012) = $2.05 in the US. Slightly different in other marketplaces.
- How accurate is this calculator?
- Uses 2026 official KDP printing rates and royalty formulas. Results are estimates — currency conversion and promotional pricing may cause small variations.
- Is this calculator free?
- Yes, 100% free, no signup required. Runs entirely in your browser.
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