Independent publishing resource
KDP Paperback Cover Calculator
A paperback cover is one continuous file containing the back, spine, and front. Use the final page count and production specifications below to understand the geometry before designing.
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Cover measurement planner
Enter your working measurements in inches. This planning result does not replace the current production template for your exact marketplace, format, paper, and page count.
Planning result
Calculating…
The full-wrap formula
Full width equals back-cover width plus spine width plus front-cover width plus left and right bleed. Full height equals trim height plus top and bottom bleed. Use the current specifications shown in your publishing account when they differ from a general example.
Why page count changes the cover
Each sheet contributes a small amount to the bound spine. Paper stock and ink option change that thickness, so a 300-page white-paper book and a 300-page cream-paper book may require different spine widths.
A 6 × 9 example
For a 6 × 9 inch book with 0.125 inch bleed on every outer edge, the cover height is 9.25 inches. Its width is 12.25 inches plus the calculated spine width. At 300 PPI, multiply each final inch measurement by 300 for a raster working size.
Frequently asked questions
Can I calculate the cover before formatting the interior?
You can estimate it, but the production cover should wait for the final formatted page count because even a small page-count change alters the spine.
Does the calculator replace the publisher template?
No. Treat the result as a planning aid and compare the final design with the current template or preview supplied for your exact book specifications.