Free KDP royalty calculator
Publishing glossary
Book royalties: the share of each sale you keep.
A royalty is the portion of a book's sale price paid to the author after retailer and production costs.
Checked:
✓KDP offers 70% and 35% rates✓Printing cost is deducted from paperbacks✓Price bands control the royalty rate
How KDP calculates the royalty
For paperbacks the royalty is the list price times the rate, minus printing cost. The 70% rate applies inside KDP's price bands; outside them the rate drops to 35%.
- 70% rate needs specific price ranges
- Delivery fees apply to ebooks
- Royalty estimates belong in your metadata plan
Estimating before you publish
The quickest way to compare scenarios is a calculator that includes rate, printing cost, and delivery fee. It turns a guess into a publish-or-adjust decision.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the 70% KDP royalty rate?
It is the higher KDP royalty tier for ebooks and paperbacks priced inside Amazon's stated ranges. Check the price bands for your marketplace before choosing.
Does KDP take printing cost from the royalty?
Yes. Paperback royalties subtract the per-copy printing cost from the list price before the rate is applied.
Put the definition to work for free.
Run your manuscript through the matching free check and see how the term applies to your own book.