kdp royalty calculator

How KDP royalties work

Amazon KDP royalties are straightforward once you know the formula. Your earnings depend on your book format, list price, and specific cost deductions. This calculator gives you a practical estimate so you can make better pricing decisions before publishing.

Kindle eBook royalty formula

For Kindle eBooks, you typically choose between a 35% and 70% royalty plan. Your per-sale royalty is calculated as:

• 70% plan: (List Price × 0.70) − Delivery Fee
• 35% plan: List Price × 0.35 (usually no delivery deduction)

Many authors prefer the 70% plan, but it has eligibility rules, including price range and territory restrictions. If your pricing falls outside those rules, actual royalty may be reduced.

Paperback and hardcover royalty formula

For print books, the formula is different because printing cost is deducted:

• Amazon marketplace: (List Price × 0.60) − Printing Cost
• Expanded distribution: (List Price × 0.40) − Printing Cost

This is why print pricing should never be set blindly. A low list price can quickly erase your margin once print cost is removed.

How to use this KDP royalty calculator effectively

To get a useful estimate, follow this quick process:

• Select your book format: eBook, paperback, or hardcover.
• Enter your planned list price.
• Add estimated monthly copies sold.
• For eBooks, enter royalty plan and file size.
• For print books, enter your actual printing cost from KDP.

The tool then returns:

• Royalty per copy sold
• Estimated monthly royalty
• Estimated yearly royalty

Pricing strategy tips for better KDP income

1) Start with your royalty target

Decide how much you want to earn per sale before choosing your list price. Reverse-engineering your price from target profit is usually better than copying random competitors.

2) Keep eBook file size lean

If you publish image-heavy books, delivery fees on the 70% plan can cut earnings significantly. Compress images where possible to improve royalty.

3) Check print break-even price

For paperbacks and hardcovers, make sure your list price stays comfortably above break-even. This calculator shows your break-even threshold so you can avoid accidental negative royalties.

4) Run multiple scenarios

Try three pricing points (conservative, moderate, premium) and compare annual outcomes. Small price changes can produce large annual differences when sales volume is consistent.

Common royalty mistakes new KDP authors make

• Choosing a price without calculating net royalty first.
• Ignoring delivery costs for image-heavy Kindle books.
• Forgetting that expanded distribution has lower royalty rates for print.
• Using unrealistic sales assumptions and overestimating annual income.
• Not updating pricing after changes in print cost.

Quick FAQ

Is this calculator exact?

It provides a close estimate, not a legal or accounting statement. Marketplace taxes, currency conversion, and regional rules can affect final payout.

What is a good royalty per eBook sale?

That depends on your genre and marketing plan, but many self-publishers target a range that balances conversion rate and profit per unit rather than maximizing one metric alone.

How often should I re-calculate royalties?

Recalculate whenever you change your price, format, distribution channel, or production specs. It is also smart to review once per quarter as market conditions shift.

Tip: Use this calculator before every launch and price update. Consistent pricing discipline is one of the fastest ways to improve long-term self-publishing income.