Free KDP Manuscript Formatter
Choose your trim size and page count to get the exact margins, Word page size, bleed settings and font guide for your Amazon KDP paperback interior.
Margin minimums follow Amazon’s current KDP trim size, bleed and margin guidance. Always run KDP’s Print Previewer before you publish.
Your font and spacing guide
These are design guidelines, not KDP rules. They update when you change the book type above.
How to set this up in your software
Microsoft Word
- Layout → Size → More Paper Sizes. Enter the Word page size from the results above.
- Layout → Margins → Custom Margins. Set Multiple pages: Mirror margins.
- Enter Top, Bottom, Inside and Outside margins from the results.
- Insert page numbers in the footer, kept inside your text area.
- Save as PDF with fonts embedded (File → Save As → PDF).
Google Docs
Google Docs has no mirror margins, so inside and outside margins cannot differ. Set all four margins to your Inside margin value for a safe result, or use Word, Atticus or Kindle Create for a tighter paperback layout. Set the page size under File → Page setup.
Atticus, Vellum or Kindle Create
These apps handle trim size, mirrored margins and page numbering for you. Enter the trim size and page count, and check that the exported margins are not smaller than the minimums shown above.
KDP inside (gutter) margin by page count
The inside margin sits next to the spine. It must be wider as your book gets thicker, because more of the page curves into the binding.
| Page count | Minimum inside margin |
|---|---|
| 24 to 150 | 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 151 to 300 | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) |
| 301 to 500 | 0.625 in (15.9 mm) |
| 501 to 700 | 0.75 in (19.1 mm) |
| 701 to 828 | 0.875 in (22.3 mm) |
Outside, top and bottom margins must be at least 0.25 in without bleed, and 0.375 in with bleed. If your book grows past a page-count band, for example from 300 to 310 pages, your minimum inside margin increases, so recheck your layout after adding any back matter.
Print-ready checklist
- Page size matches your chosen trim size (plus bleed, if you use it).
- Inside margin meets the minimum for your final page count.
- Fonts are embedded in the PDF, and you have a licence to use them.
- Images are at least 300 DPI.
- Chapter starts, page numbers and headers sit inside the text area.
- Total page count is even, and you recheck it after editing.
- You have reviewed the file in KDP’s Print Previewer and read every page.
Frequently asked questions
What margins does Amazon KDP require?
The inside margin depends on page count, from 0.375 in for 24 to 150 pages up to 0.875 in for 701 to 828 pages. Outside, top and bottom margins must be at least 0.25 in, or 0.375 in on pages with bleed.
Do I need bleed for a text-only book?
No. Most text-only interiors do not need bleed. Use bleed only if images or colour run to the edge of the page. With bleed, the page is 0.125 in wider and 0.25 in taller than the trim size.
What is the best font size for a paperback?
Most fiction paperbacks use a 10.5 to 12 pt serif font, and non-fiction often uses 11 to 12 pt. Large print books usually use 16 pt or more. Use the guide above as a starting point, and check a printed proof.
What is the most popular KDP trim size?
6 × 9 inches is the most common choice for both fiction and non-fiction. Smaller sizes such as 5 × 8 and 5.5 × 8.5 are also popular for novels.
Can I use Canva or Google Docs for a paperback interior?
You can, but Google Docs cannot set separate inside and outside margins. For a clean paperback layout, Word, Atticus, Vellum or Kindle Create are usually easier. For ebooks, a reflowable EPUB works best.
Is this tool official Amazon guidance?
No. It applies the published KDP minimum margins and common typesetting practice, but KDP With AI is independent and is not affiliated with Amazon. Rules can change, so always confirm with KDP’s Print Previewer and help pages.
Need more publishing tools?
Browse our best AI tools for Amazon KDP authors, including formatting software like Atticus and Kindle Create.