Cover Dimension Calculator
Exact dimensions for your full cover wrap, front, spine, and back, from your page count, trim size, and paper stock. Hand these to your designer before they start.
Cover dimensions
Back
6" × 9"
Spine
0.788"
Front
6" × 9"
Full wrap (with bleed)
12.788" × 9.25"
3836 × 2775 px @ 300 DPI
Spine width
0.788"
20.02 mm · 444 ppi
File specs
PDF/X-1a · CMYK
0.125" bleed all sides
0.125" bleed all sides
Next step: check your finished cover PDF free →
Spine Width Calculator
Wrong spine = rejected cover. Enter your page count and see the exact spine width for every paper stock.
Spine width by paper stock, 350 pages
Word Count → Page Count
Estimate your printed page count before formatting, enough to brief a cover designer with a spine width.
Page count estimate
Estimated pages
274
at 11pt, normal spacing
Spine (white)
0.617"
444 ppi
Spine (cream)
0.685"
400 ppi
💡 Estimate only. The actual count depends on chapter breaks, front matter, and your formatter's template, but it's close enough to brief a cover designer.
KDP Print vs IngramSpark
Answer four questions and get a plain-English recommendation, KDP, IngramSpark, or both.
Our recommendation
Use both, KDP + IngramSpark
Best fit
⚖️ Either way: IngramSpark's PDF requirements are stricter than KDP's, so run your file through the free scanner before uploading to either.
Next step: scan your PDF against all 4 platforms →
Trim Size Guide
What each genre typically uses, and what the major platforms support.
| Trim size | Best for | Ingram | KDP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5" × 8" | Fiction, romance, YA | ✓ | ✓ | Standard for genre fiction |
| 5.25" × 8" | Fiction | ✓ | ✓ | Slightly wider, good for longer novels |
| 5.5" × 8.5" | Fiction, nonfiction | ✓ | ✓ | Very common all-around size |
| 6" × 9" | Nonfiction, business, memoir | ✓ | ✓ | Most popular nonfiction size |
| 4.25" × 6.87" | Mass market paperback | ✓ | Limited | Classic mass-market feel |
| 7" × 10" | Workbooks, textbooks | ✓ | ✓ | Heavy content with graphics |
| 8.5" × 11" | Cookbooks, art, journals | ✓ | ✓ | Large format, color costs more |
| 6" × 9" hardcover | All genres | ✓ | Case laminate only | Ingram has more hardcover options |
📚 For romance & dark romance: 5" × 8" or 5.5" × 8.5" are the standard, they feel like traditionally published novels. 6" × 9" reads as "self-help" and can feel off to romance readers.
More free tools & guides
All free · no accountEverything below opens on its own page.
🎨 RGB to CMYK Converter
Convert colors for print so they don't shift at the printer.
🔢 ISBN Barcode Generator
A print-ready barcode for your back cover, from your ISBN.
✅ Self-Publishing Checklist
Every pre-upload step, in order, so nothing gets missed.
📋 IngramSpark PDF Guide
All 18 IngramSpark requirements, explained in plain English.
📋 KDP Print PDF Guide
What KDP checks, and what it silently "fixes" for you.
🔧 Fix IngramSpark Errors
Decode any rejection email and fix it before re-uploading.
🎨 Canva PDF Checker
Why Canva's "300 DPI" still gets flagged, and the fix.
📄 Author Website
A simple website for your book, free to start.
Paid tools & services
One-time · clearly pricedNo subscriptions buried in fine print. The check is always free, you pay only for the fix.
📄 Interior PDF Scan
free check · $9 fix18 compliance checks; pay only to download the fixed file.
🎨 Cover PDF Checker
free check · $9 fixDimensions, resolution, and spine checked before upload.
🖌 Cover Builder
$19Design a print-ready full-wrap cover in the browser.
📖 Book Formatter
$59Format your manuscript into a print-ready interior.
Deep-dive guides
IngramSpark Error Messages
Decode every IngramSpark rejection in plain English, what each error means and exactly how to fix it.
Read the guide →
Affinity Publisher & IngramSpark
Your default black is 295% ink coverage, over the 240% limit. How to fix it in 30 seconds.
Read the guide →
The Canva 300 DPI Trap
Canva says 300 DPI but IngramSpark still flags low resolution? Here's why, and what actually fixes it.
Read the guide →
New · ARC distribution
Need reviews before launch?
We match your book with genre-specific readers who post honest, verified reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Stop getting rejected
Your PDF is ready. Is it actually upload-ready?
Check my PDF, the check is free →Pay $9 only to download the fixed file · money-back if it doesn't work
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