Book Size Calculator
This book size calculator gives the full cover size for your print book. Pick the trim size and page count, or estimate the pages from your word count, and get the cover width and height with bleed for KDP, IngramSpark or Lulu.
- Matches KDP's cover calculator
- Pages from word count
- Free cover template
- No sign-up
Don't know your page count? Estimate it from your word count
Full cover with bleed (width × height)
12.926 × 9.250 in
328.3 × 234.9 mm · 3,878 × 2,775 px at 300 DPI
Spine width
0.676 in
17.2 mm
- Amazon KDP allows text on this spine.
| Printer | Spine | Full cover |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP | 0.676 in | 12.926 × 9.250 in |
| IngramSpark | 0.629 in | 12.879 × 9.250 in |
| Lulu | 0.736 in | 12.986 × 9.250 in |
How the cover size is calculated
A paperback cover is one flat sheet that wraps around the book: back, spine and front, with extra all round to trim off.
- Width = bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleed.
- Height = bleed + trim height + bleed.
- Bleed is 0.125 in (3.2 mm) at KDP, IngramSpark and Lulu: artwork runs past the trim so no white edge shows after cutting.
So a 6 × 9 in paperback with 300 white pages at KDP needs a 12.926 × 9.25 in cover, or 3,878 × 2,775 pixels at 300 DPI. KDP's own cover calculator gives the same.
Which trim size? Common sizes by genre
| Book | Common trim size (inches) |
|---|---|
| General fiction | 6 × 9, or 5.5 × 8.5 |
| Thrillers and mysteries | 5.25 × 8, or 5 × 8 |
| General nonfiction | 5.5 × 8.5, or 6 × 9 |
| Memoir and self-help | 5.25 × 8 |
| Young adult | 5 × 7, or 5.5 × 8.5 for fantasy and science fiction |
| Middle grade | 5 × 8 |
| Children's picture books | 8.5 × 8.5 |
| Textbooks, workbooks and manuals | 7 × 10, or 8.5 × 11 |
Printing costs and royalties depend on the printer too; KDP's are covered in the pros and cons of self-publishing on Amazon.
Estimating page count from word count
Words per page depend on the font, size, spacing and margins, and published estimates differ by almost two to one. For a 6 × 9 in page:
- Raven Book Design counts about 475 words a page in 11 pt Garamond.
- Lulu's worked example fits 92,000 words into 363 pages, about 258 words a page, in 11 pt Optima with generous spacing.
- Kindlepreneur's survey of over 900 authors found about 280 words a page for fiction.
The calculator shows a range between those ends, scaled to your trim size, and lets you pick the middle. Then add a few pages for the title page, copyright and contents, and about half a page per chapter. The real count only exists once the interior is formatted, so run the calculator again before you order a cover.
Translating the book? A translation rarely keeps the original page count, so recalculate with the translated text. Our book translator gives it back as an editable file, ready to lay out. For the ebook edition, the EPUB translator translates the EPUB itself.
Watch it done for KDP
Austin Sunday walks through KDP's cover calculator and template step by step:
New to KDP? Publishing there costs nothing; see how to publish a book for free.
FAQ
Book size questions
What size should a 6x9 book cover be?
Two times 6 in, plus the spine, plus 0.125 in of bleed on each side, by 9.25 in tall. With 300 white pages at KDP that is 12.926 × 9.25 in.
How thick is a 300 page book in inches?
About 0.676 in at KDP on white paper and 0.75 in on cream. IngramSpark's white paper is thinner, 0.629 in.
What are the best margins for a 6x9 book?
KDP's minimum inside margin grows with page count: 0.375 in up to 150 pages, 0.5 in to 300, 0.625 in to 500, 0.75 in to 700 and 0.875 in above that. Outside margins must be at least 0.25 in.
What is the typical size of a 5x8 book?
Five by eight inches is a common trim for thrillers, mysteries and middle-grade novels. Its full cover at KDP is 10.25 in plus the spine wide and 8.25 in tall.
How many pages is an 80,000-word book?
Roughly 170 to 310 pages at 6 × 9 in, depending on font and spacing. Use the word-count estimate above, then confirm once the interior is formatted.
Should I calculate my cover before or after formatting?
After. The spine depends on the final page count, which only exists once the interior is laid out. Estimate early to plan, then recalculate before ordering the cover.
Can I use these dimensions in Canva?
Yes. Create a custom design at the full cover size in inches, or open the SVG template from the calculator, which is already the right size.
What is bleed?
Extra artwork, 0.125 in on every side, that extends past where the cover is cut, so no white edge shows if the blade is slightly off.
More for print books
- Book Spine CalculatorSpine width for KDP, IngramSpark and Lulu paperbacks from your page count and paper.
- Translate a BookUpload a whole PDF, EPUB or DOCX book and get the translated file back in the same format.
- Book Genre GeneratorSpin a random genre with tropes and a prompt, or find your manuscript's genre and Amazon categories.
- Translation Cost CalculatorType a word count and compare AI, AI plus an editor, and a professional translator.
Bringing the book to another language?
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