Free Book Tools for Indie Authors — BookReady
These tools help you prepare — check your PDF against all 18 IngramSpark requirements →
🎨 Cover Builder — New! 📐 Cover Calculator 🎨 Cover PDF Checker 📏 Spine Width 📖 Word Count → Pages ⚖️ KDP vs IngramSpark 📄 Trim Size Guide 📋 IngramSpark Guide 📋 KDP Print Guide 🔧 Fix IngramSpark Errors
Cover Dimension Calculator
Get the exact pixel dimensions and file specs for your book cover — front, back, spine, and full wrap — based on your page count, trim size, and paper stock.
Cover Dimensions
Now check your cover PDF before uploading
Wrong dimensions + low-res images = instant rejection. BookReady catches both in 30 seconds.
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Spine Width Calculator
Know your exact spine width before ordering your cover. Wrong spine = rejected cover. Enter your page count and see widths for all paper stocks.
Spine Width by Paper Stock
Paper StockPPISpine WidthIn mmStatus
Got your spine width? Now check your interior PDF.
18 compliance checks — fonts, bleed, color, PDF/X. Catches what IngramSpark will reject.
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Word Count → Page Count
Estimate how many pages your manuscript will be at common trim sizes and font settings. Useful for calculating spine width before your file is formatted.
Page Count Estimate
Trim SizeEst. PagesSpine (white)Spine (cream)
Ready to format? Check your PDF before uploading.
Catches the errors formatters miss — ICC profiles, font embedding, bleed, PDF/X.
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KDP Print vs IngramSpark
Not sure which platform to use? Answer a few questions and we'll tell you which is the better fit for your book — or whether you should use both.
Platform Recommendation
IngramSpark
KDP Print
Now make sure your PDF meets their requirements.
IngramSpark has stricter requirements than KDP — BookReady checks all 18 in 30 seconds.
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Trim Size Guide
Which trim size is right for your book? Here's what each genre typically uses and what the major platforms support.
Trim SizeBest ForIngramSparkKDP PrintNotes
5" × 8"Fiction, romance, YAPopular for romance & genre fiction
5.25" × 8"FictionSlightly wider, good for longer books
5.5" × 8.5"Fiction, nonfictionVery common all-around size
6" × 9"Nonfiction, business, memoirMost popular nonfiction size
4.25" × 6.87"Mass market paperbackLimitedClassic mass market feel
7" × 10"Workbooks, textbooksGood for heavy content with graphics
8.5" × 11"Cookbooks, art books, journalsLarge format — color printing costs more
6" × 9" HardcoverAll genresCase laminate onlyIngramSpark has more hardcover options
📚 For romance & dark romance: 5" × 8" or 5.5" × 8.5" are the standard. They feel like traditionally published novels in hand, which readers expect. 6" × 9" reads as "self-help" and can feel off to romance readers.
💡 Pro tip: Once you pick your trim size, use the Cover Calculator above to get your exact cover dimensions before you brief your designer. Wrong dimensions = rejected cover file.
Stop getting rejected
Your PDF is ready.
Is it actually upload-ready?
18 compliance checks · IngramSpark, KDP, B&N Press · fixed PDF included · $9
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Check is free · pay $9 only to download the fixed file