KDP Royalty & Earnings Calculator
Estimate your royalty per sale, monthly earnings, and break-even point based on your Kindle eBook price.
Why a Kindle Direct Publishing price calculator matters
If you're publishing on KDP, pricing is one of the highest-impact decisions you make. A small change in list price can shift your royalty per sale, affect conversion rates, and change how quickly you recover your production costs. The goal isn't just to choose a number that “feels right.” The goal is to choose a price that supports your long-term author business.
This Kindle Direct Publishing price calculator helps you model common scenarios quickly. Instead of guessing, you can compare royalty options, account for delivery fees, and estimate monthly earnings from expected sales volume.
How KDP eBook royalties are calculated
The core formula
For most Kindle eBooks, you’ll generally see two royalty structures:
- 35% royalty option: You earn about 35% of list price per sale.
- 70% royalty option: You earn about 70% of list price minus delivery fees, when your price and territory are eligible.
In simple planning terms:
- 35% plan: Royalty per sale = List Price × 0.35
- 70% plan: Royalty per sale = (List Price × 0.70) − Delivery Fee
The delivery fee is usually based on the book’s file size and marketplace-specific rates. That’s why two books at the same list price can still earn different net royalties.
35% vs 70%: which one should you pick?
Many authors assume 70% is always better. Often it is, but not always. Your best option depends on price, file size, and marketplace eligibility.
Use 35% when:
- Your list price falls outside the 70% qualifying range in your target marketplace.
- Your file size is large enough that delivery costs significantly reduce net royalty.
- You’re running a pricing experiment at very low or very high price points.
Use 70% when:
- Your price qualifies for 70% in your marketplace.
- Your file size is optimized and delivery fees stay low.
- You want stronger per-sale margins while keeping the book competitively priced.
How to use this calculator effectively
- Select your marketplace to apply currency and estimated delivery rate.
- Enter your planned list price.
- Add your file size in MB (after export; this matters for 70% royalties).
- Set monthly sales to model expected volume.
- Add upfront costs to estimate break-even copies.
- Choose Auto, 35%, or 70% and compare outcomes.
Pro tip: run multiple scenarios (for example, 2.99, 3.99, 4.99, 5.99). A higher royalty per sale can still produce less total income if conversion drops too much. Pricing is always a balance between margin and demand.
Example pricing scenarios
Scenario 1: Short fiction eBook
A 1.2 MB novella priced at 3.99 with 150 monthly sales usually benefits from 70% pricing. Delivery cost remains small, so net royalty per sale stays healthy.
Scenario 2: Image-heavy nonfiction guide
A 15 MB guide priced at 4.99 may see a much larger delivery deduction under 70%. Depending on your exact numbers, the 35% plan can sometimes be competitive. This is exactly where a calculator prevents costly assumptions.
Scenario 3: Launch strategy with lower entry price
Some indie authors temporarily price at 2.99 to increase ranking velocity and reviews, then raise to 4.99 once social proof is stronger. The calculator helps you estimate the tradeoff between launch momentum and immediate per-sale earnings.
Common mistakes KDP authors make with pricing
- Ignoring file size: Large interior files can materially reduce 70% royalties.
- Using one global price strategy: Different marketplaces often perform differently.
- Chasing highest royalty only: Profit depends on both margin and conversion.
- Not tracking break-even: Editing, design, and ads should be modeled like business investments.
- Never retesting: Reader behavior and competition change over time.
FAQ
Does this calculator include taxes or ad-attributed sales?
No. It estimates royalty based on list price, royalty option, delivery fee, and sales volume. Taxes, refunds, ad costs by platform, and currency effects can alter real-world results.
Can I use this for paperback pricing?
This version is designed for Kindle eBook royalty estimation. Paperback math uses a different structure that includes print cost and different royalty percentages.
How often should I revisit my KDP pricing?
Review pricing monthly during launch and at least quarterly afterward. Also revisit after major changes like new reviews, ad campaigns, category shifts, or updates to comparable titles.
Final takeaway
A good KDP price is not random—it’s a tested business decision. Use this calculator to set realistic expectations, compare royalty plans, and understand how price impacts your author income. Then pair your pricing strategy with strong positioning, quality cover design, and consistent reader outreach for the best long-term results.