If you're publishing on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, pricing without numbers is basically guessing. This Amazon calculator for KDP helps you estimate royalties, monthly profit, ad break-even points, and print cost assumptions before you click publish.
Amazon KDP Royalty Calculator
Use this tool to estimate earnings for paperback and Kindle eBook formats (USD estimates).
Print cost estimate uses a simple fixed + per-page model.
Delivery cost estimated at $0.15/MB for 70% royalty markets.
Why use an Amazon KDP calculator?
Most first-time self-publishers focus on cover design and keywords, but forget to model basic economics. A calculator gives you a fast answer to the most important question: What do I actually keep per sale?
Even a small pricing mistake can destroy your margin. For example, a low paperback price with high page count can lead to near-zero royalties. On the eBook side, large file sizes can reduce earnings under the 70% plan.
How KDP royalties are estimated
1) Paperback (simple estimate)
This calculator uses a common approximation:
- Royalty per copy = (List Price × 60%) − Print Cost
- Print cost model: fixed fee + (per-page cost × page count)
The rates vary by marketplace and print settings, so treat this as planning math—not an official invoice.
2) Kindle eBook 70% plan
- Royalty per copy = (List Price × 70%) − Delivery Cost
- Delivery cost in this calculator is estimated at $0.15/MB
This is useful for image-heavy books where file size can noticeably reduce margin.
3) Kindle eBook 35% plan
- Royalty per copy = List Price × 35%
This plan has fewer restrictions, but lower payout per sale.
How to use this calculator strategically
Set a target royalty first
Instead of picking a random list price, decide your minimum acceptable royalty per unit. Then reverse-engineer your price to hit that goal.
Model ad break-even
If your ad spend is $200/month and your royalty per copy is $2.00, you need at least 100 sales just to break even on ads. This tool calculates that threshold automatically when profits are positive.
Compare formats
Run the same title as paperback and eBook. Sometimes an eBook gives the better margin, while paperback can still be useful for credibility and visibility.
Common KDP pricing mistakes
- Pricing too low for long books: higher page count means higher print costs.
- Ignoring delivery fees for image-heavy eBooks: larger files can cut into 70% royalties.
- No ad budget model: revenue is not profit. Always subtract spend.
- No sensitivity testing: test multiple prices (for example $6.99, $7.99, $8.99) before choosing.
Example use case
Suppose your paperback is priced at $12.99 with 250 black-and-white pages. If print costs are estimated around $4.10, your per-copy royalty may land near $3.69. At 150 sales/month, that's roughly $553.50 before ad spend. If ads cost $200, net monthly profit is about $353.50.
Numbers like these are exactly why a KDP calculator is helpful before launch. You can make informed changes early instead of reacting after publication.
Final note
This calculator is designed for quick planning and decision-making. Always verify final royalties inside your KDP dashboard because official rates can change by marketplace, trim size, ink type, and program rules.