KDP Cover Dimensions — The 2:3 Rule and How to Get It Right

The Core Rule

For a standard KDP book, the cover is a 2:3 rectangle — height is 1.5 × width. So an 8.5" × 8.5" book gets an 8.5" × 11" front cover; a 6" × 9" book gets a 6" × 9" front — plus the spine and back, which the KDP Cover Calculator adds for you.

What the Cover Includes

• Front — the 2:3 front panel shoppers see first.
• Spine — width depends on page count and paper type; thick books have wider spines.
• Back — matches the front height; holds the blurb and barcode space.
• Bleed — add .125" all around for full-bleed art.
• Barcode — KDP places the ISBN/barcode on the back; leave space (KDP’s template marks it).

How to Get Exact Dimensions

1. Open KDP → your title → Cover → Cover Calculator / template generator.
2. Enter trim size, paper type and page count.
3. Download the template (PDF or JPG) — it has the exact spine, back and bleed marked.
4. Design on top of the template, then delete the template layer and export 300 DPI.
5. Preview in KDP before publishing to confirm nothing is cut off.

Common Mistakes

• Designing front only — missing the spine/back causes rejection.
• Ignoring bleed — color stops short of the edge, leaving a white line.
• Text at the spine — keep text away from the spine fold.
• Low resolution — KDP rejects covers under ~1000px / 300 DPI.