NichelyKDP Royalty Calculator (2026)
Updated November 2026 with Amazon.com rates: the 70% ebook band now runs up to $12.99, and paperbacks earn 50% below $9.99 and 60% from $9.99, minus printing.
Ebook (Kindle)
Paperback
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Add Nichely to Chrome — freeHow KDP royalties work
Ebooks earn 70% of the list price when it is between $2.99 and $12.99 on Amazon.com (the upper limit was $9.99 until July 7, 2026). At 70%, a delivery cost of $0.15 per megabyte of the file is taken off the list price before the 70% is applied. Outside that band, or if you choose it, the rate is 35% with no delivery cost.
Paperbacks earn 60% of the list price from $9.99 and 50% below it, and the printing cost is subtracted from that share. So a cheap, thick paperback can earn very little: check that the royalty is still worth it before you lower the price.
| Ink (Amazon.com) | Pages | Regular trim | Large trim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 24–110 | $2.30 | $2.84 |
| Black | 111–828 | $1.00 + $0.012/page | $1.00 + $0.017/page |
| Standard color | 72–600 | $1.00 + $0.0255/page | $1.00 + $0.0402/page |
| Premium color | 24–40 | $3.60 | $4.20 |
| Premium color | 41–828 | $1.00 + $0.065/page | $1.00 + $0.08/page |
Source: KDP Help, "Paperback printing costs" and "eBook royalty options" (Amazon.com), November 2026. Rates change: confirm in KDP before you publish. Expanded Distribution pays 40% minus printing.
FAQ
Why does my $8.99 paperback earn less than my $9.99 one?
Below $9.99 the paperback rate drops from 60% to 50%, so a $1 cheaper price can cost you more than $1 in royalty.
Is 70% always better for an ebook?
Almost always within $2.99–$12.99. Only very large files (lots of images) can lose so much to delivery costs that 35% pays more; the calculator shows both.
How many copies will I sell?
Use the BSR to sales calculator on books like yours, or check a whole niche at once with Nichely.
More tools: BSR to sales · Cover size · All KDP calculators