Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP, is Amazon’s self-publishing platform. You upload your manuscript and cover, set a price, and your book goes on sale on Amazon as a Kindle ebook, paperback or hardcover, with printing handled on demand. There’s no upfront cost and you keep control of your rights and pricing.
At a glance
| What it is | Amazon’s self-publishing platform |
| How you earn | Royalties on ebook, print and Kindle Unlimited reads |
| Ebook royalties | 35% or 70%; 70% for US prices from $2.99 to $12.99 |
| Print royalties | 50% or 60% of list price, minus printing |
| Cost to publish | Free |
| Where it works | Amazon stores worldwide |
Ebook royalties and the 2026 change
KDP offers two ebook royalty options: 35% and 70%. On 7 July 2026, Amazon raised the top of the 70% price band on Amazon.com from $9.99 to $12.99, the first change since KDP’s early days. Ebooks priced between $2.99 and $12.99 can now earn 70%, minus a small delivery charge based on file size. Outside that range, or in some markets, the rate is 35%. The change isn’t automatic: authors with ebooks priced between $9.99 and $12.99 need to switch their royalty option themselves.
Print royalties
Paperbacks and hardcovers earn a percentage of the list price minus printing costs. Since June 2025, Amazon.com pays 60% on print books listed at $9.99 or more and 50% below that, so pricing near the threshold matters. KDP’s own calculator shows the exact royalty for your page count and price.
Kindle Unlimited
If you enrol an ebook in KDP Select, it becomes available in Kindle Unlimited, and you earn from pages read out of a monthly fund. The rate per page changes each month. In exchange, the ebook must be exclusive to Amazon while enrolled.
What sells
Genre fiction, especially romance, thrillers, fantasy and mystery, sells well in series. In nonfiction, practical how-to books, niche guides, self-help, cookbooks and workbooks do well. Low-content books such as journals and planners are popular too, but very competitive.
Getting noticed
Amazon doesn’t sell books by itself. A professional cover, a clear description, the right categories and keywords, and early reviews make a big difference. Many authors use Amazon Ads, newsletters and social media to drive sales, and series help readers move from one book to the next.
Getting started
Finish and edit your manuscript, get a strong cover, and create a free KDP account. Upload the files, preview the book, set your price and royalty option, and publish. Plan a launch to readers you can reach directly.
Editing, covers and formatting
Readers judge books quickly by their covers and first pages. Budget for professional editing and a cover designed for your genre, or learn the conventions carefully if you do them yourself. KDP accepts common file formats and offers Kindle Create, a free tool for formatting ebooks and print interiors. Always order a proof copy of a paperback before launch to check layout and print quality.
Taxes and payments
KDP pays royalties monthly, about 60 days after the end of the month in which sales happen. Authors outside the US complete a tax interview so the right withholding applies under any tax treaty.
Owen’s take
KDP is the easiest way to get a book in front of the world’s biggest book buyers, and the 2026 change gives authors more room on ebook pricing. Publishing is simple; selling is the real work. Series and a reader list pay off over time.
Who it suits
It suits authors of fiction and practical nonfiction ready to treat books as a long-term project. It suits less well anyone expecting fast income from a single book.
Similar options
- Medium pays for articles read by members.
- Gumroad sells ebooks directly to your audience.
- Payhip sells digital books with low fees.
- Listverse pays a flat fee for list articles.
More options are in Self-Publishing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to publish
- Access to Amazon’s readers
- Ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers
Cons
- Marketing is up to you
- Kindle Unlimited requires exclusivity
- Royalty rules change and need checking
FAQ
What royalty does KDP pay on ebooks?
70% for ebooks priced $2.99 to $12.99 on Amazon.com, and 35% outside that range, minus delivery charges on the 70% option.
When did the 70% band change?
On 7 July 2026, when the top price rose from $9.99 to $12.99.
What do paperbacks earn?
60% of list price at $9.99 and above on Amazon.com, 50% below, minus printing costs.
Does it cost anything to publish on KDP?
No.
What is Kindle Unlimited?
A subscription where readers borrow books; authors in KDP Select earn per page read from a monthly fund.
