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Does Amazon KDP Cost Money? Fees and Royalties Explained

Does Amazon KDP Cost Money? How KDP Fees and Royalties Really Work

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

  • Publishing on Amazon KDP has no setup fee — you can upload an ebook or paperback for free, but Amazon deducts per-sale costs (printing, delivery) from your royalties.
  • Ebook delivery fees and printing costs vary by format, file size, and marketplace; pricing must cover those costs plus your desired royalty.
  • Understanding how KDP calculates 35% vs 70% royalties and minimum list prices helps you set profitable prices and avoid surprises.

Is publishing on KDP free?

Short answer: yes — there is no upfront publishing fee on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). You can create an account, upload your manuscript and cover, and list a book for sale without paying Amazon anything first.

How does Amazon make money then? On every sale Amazon subtracts the cost to produce and deliver the book from your list price, and then pays you a royalty on the remainder. If you want a deeper breakdown of the different fees that can reduce your payout, our Amazon Kdp Fees Breakdown explains those line items in plain terms.

Why that matters:

  • No upfront fee means anyone can publish, but per-sale deductions mean profits depend on format, file size, and price.
  • Knowing the exact fees helps you price books to reach readers while protecting your earnings.

Per-sale costs: printing, delivery, and minimum list prices

Amazon shifts production and distribution costs to each sale. Here are the common per-unit costs that reduce your royalty.

Print books (paperback, hardcover)

  • Printing cost: For print-on-demand paperbacks and hardcovers, Amazon charges a printing cost based on page count, ink type (black or color), and trim size. For example, short paperbacks with black ink have a lower fixed base cost plus a per-page charge. Hardcovers cost more because of materials and binding.
  • Marketplace differences: Printing costs vary by the Amazon marketplace (Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, etc.). That affects minimum list price and net royalty per territory.
  • Minimum list price: KDP enforces a minimum retail price so the printing cost is covered. If you try to set a list price below the minimum, KDP won’t allow it. The minimum is tied to the printing cost and the royalty rate you choose (typically 40–60% of list price depending on format and distribution).

Ebook delivery fees

  • Delivery fee basics: If you enroll in the 70% royalty option for Kindle ebooks, Amazon deducts a delivery fee based on file size. In many regions this has historically been around $0.15 per MB for the U.S. and Canada, but the rate can vary by marketplace and may be adjusted by Amazon over time.
  • When delivery fees apply: Delivery fees apply only to books sold with the 70% royalty option and are deducted per sale. If you select the 35% royalty option, delivery fees do not apply, but the royalty percentage is lower.
  • Why file size matters: Large images, many high-resolution graphics, or heavy formatting inflate file size. Keeping files optimized reduces delivery fees and increases your net royalty.

Example: printing + royalties

Imagine a 200-page black-and-white paperback sold on Amazon.com with a $9.99 list price. Amazon deducts the printing cost (for example, $2.50), leaves the remainder, then applies the distributor’s cut. Net royalty will be list price minus printing cost times royalty share (after any distribution fees).

Concrete numbers change with page count, ink, and marketplace, so always check the KDP printer cost table when you upload a manuscript.

Creating the files that meet KDP rules

Turning a manuscript into a clean EPUB or Kindle-ready file can reduce delivery issues and preview errors. If you want a fast, reliable path from manuscript to a properly structured EPUB, the EPUB Converter handles the work and builds files that pass KDP checks.

A good cover is about clarity at thumbnail size and correct typography, not just artwork. For covers, tools like the Cover Generator produce market-ready designs with readable titles so your book looks professional beside traditionally published titles.

If you plan to publish both ebook and print versions, you’ll need a print-ready PDF (for paperbacks/hardcovers) and a properly structured EPUB or MOBI for ebooks. You can also try Bookautoai to generate both formats from the same manuscript and reduce manual steps.

If you want a tool that helps with uploads to retailers, consider specialized services for the upload process such as book upload platforms that handle covers, metadata, and multi-store delivery; these platforms can remove friction when you upload to KDP and other sellers like Kobo and Apple Books (book upload tools).

How royalties and payouts actually work

KDP pays royalties differently depending on format and distribution choices. The two big factors are the royalty rate you select and per-unit costs.

Royalty rates overview

  • Kindle ebooks: Generally two choices — 70% or 35%.
  • 70% applies when your ebook meets criteria (price in eligible range, enrolls in certain territories, and meets file requirements). Delivery fees are deducted from the royalty before payout.
  • 35% is the default for books outside the 70% rules or when you choose that option; there’s no delivery fee, but the percentage is lower.
  • Paperbacks and hardcovers: Royalty is calculated as list price minus printing cost, multiplied by the royalty share (usually ~60% for Amazon store sales; different rules apply for external retailers).

Which option makes more money?

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Small, text-only ebooks with small file sizes often earn more with the 70% option even after delivery fees. Large illustrated books or heavily formatted titles may be better on the 35% plan to avoid large delivery deductions.

Payout timing and thresholds

  • Payout schedule: Amazon reports sales monthly and pays royalties approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which sales were reported (timing varies by market and payment method).
  • Payment thresholds: Amazon requires a minimum payment threshold or a chosen payment method. If your balance is below the threshold and you don’t meet other criteria, payouts may be delayed until you hit the minimum.

Examples to make it concrete

Use real numbers from your KDP setup because printing costs and delivery rates are the real drivers of net income.

  • Example A — small ebook, 70% option
    List price: $4.99 — Delivery fee: $0.15 (small file) — Royalty ≈ ($4.99 – $0.15) × 0.70 ≈ $3.44
  • Example B — large ebook with big file size
    List price: $4.99 — Delivery fee: $1.50 (large images) — Royalty ≈ ($4.99 – $1.50) × 0.70 ≈ $2.10
  • Example C — paperback
    List price: $12.99 — Printing cost: $4.00 — Royalty ≈ ($12.99 – $4.00) × 0.60 ≈ $5.39

Practical tips to minimize costs and maximize earnings

1. Optimize ebook file size

  • Compress images and use efficient formats.
  • Remove unnecessary embedded fonts or duplicate images.
  • Keep large images to a minimum unless color is essential.

2. Price with fees in mind

  • Run the math: set prices that cover printing and delivery while keeping the book attractive to readers.
  • Avoid the minimum price trap: if your list price barely covers printing, you’ll earn very little after Amazon’s cut.

3. Choose the right royalty option

  • If your ebook is small and priced inside the 70% range, the 70% option is often better.
  • If the delivery fee would be large because of images, calculate whether the 35% option might yield a better net.

4. Use professional tools to avoid formatting fees and mistakes

Producing clean files saves time and reduces refunds due to broken formatting. Tools that generate formatted manuscripts ready for KDP and clean EPUBs typically pass platform checks without manual cleanup.

5. Design covers that sell at thumbnail size

A cover must read clearly at small sizes and fit genre expectations. Tools trained on top-selling covers can help you get a market-ready design fast.

6. Watch marketplace differences

Royalty rules and printing costs can vary by marketplace. When you enable expanded distribution, different fees or discounts may apply — always check the KDP printing cost table and royalty calculations for each store.

7. Consider print-on-demand advantages

  • No inventory cost: POD means you don’t pay to print a batch upfront.
  • You pay per unit when a sale occurs; that keeps initial risk low compared to offset printing.

8. Track and re-evaluate

Monitor sales reports and update pricing or formats if a book consistently underperforms. Small adjustments to price or file optimization can meaningfully change net income over time.

Final thoughts

Publishing with Amazon KDP is designed to be accessible and low-risk. There’s no cost to sign up or upload your files, which removes the biggest barrier for new authors.

Per-sale deductions — printing and delivery costs plus royalties — are the real drivers of what you actually earn.

Understand how printing cost tables, delivery fees, and royalty rates combine so you can optimize file size and price wisely. If you want a straightforward path to create a non-fiction book that’s formatted for KDP, generates both ebook and print files, and includes market-ready covers, a focused production tool can streamline that process and reduce friction between a finished manuscript and a live listing.

Write like a Human, Publish like an author.

Visit Bookautoai.com and try our Demo book.

FAQ

Does Amazon charge to create an account or upload a book?

No. Creating a KDP account and uploading a manuscript or cover is free. You pay nothing until you make a sale.

When do delivery fees apply for ebooks?

Delivery fees apply when you choose the 70% royalty option for Kindle ebooks and are calculated per sale based on file size. The 35% option has no delivery fee.

Can I set any price I want for my book?

You can set most prices within KDP’s allowed ranges, but the platform enforces minimum list prices to ensure printing costs are covered. The 70% ebook royalty also requires a specific price range to be eligible.

How do printing costs affect my royalty?

For print books, Amazon calculates the printing cost (which depends on page count, ink, and trim size) and subtracts it from the list price. Your royalty is then a percentage of the remaining amount.

What is the fastest way to get a file that passes KDP checks?

Use an EPUB converter or formatting tool that produces properly structured EPUB files and print-ready PDFs. Tools trained for KDP reduce preview errors and metadata issues.

Do I need a separate file for paperback and ebook?

Yes. Paperbacks require a print-ready PDF (with correct margins and bleed), and ebooks require an EPUB or Kindle-compatible file. A single tool that produces both saves time and reduces mistakes.

Are there any ongoing costs for authors on KDP besides per-sale deductions?

Not from Amazon directly. Costs you might incur include paid services (editing, cover design, marketing), but KDP itself charges no recurring publishing fees.

Sources

Does Amazon KDP Cost Money? How KDP Fees and Royalties Really Work Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Publishing on Amazon KDP has no setup fee — you can upload an ebook or paperback for free, but Amazon deducts per-sale costs (printing, delivery) from your royalties. Ebook delivery fees and printing costs vary by format, file…