Why KDP Formatting Matters
Clean formatting improves readability, reviews, and sales. Use these tips to pass Kindle Direct Publishing checks on the first attempt.
1) Use Book-Friendly Fonts
Choose serif families designed for long-form reading. Keep body text 10–12pt for print; eBooks are resizable.
2) Trim Size & Margins
Pick a standard trim (5"x8", 5.5"x8.5", or 6"x9"). Set generous inner margins (gutter) so text doesn't disappear into the spine.
3) Consistent Heading Structure
Use H1 for book title and H2 for chapter titles. Consistent hierarchy lets tools like Booksmith auto-build your table of contents.
4) Images & Figures
- 300 dpi for print; compress for eBook
- Use JPEG/PNG; avoid huge file sizes
- Add alt text for accessibility
5) Front & Back Matter
Include title page, copyright, dedication/acknowledgements, and an author bio with links to your newsletter or next book.
6) Export Correctly
Generate EPUB for most stores and print-ready PDF for paperbacks. Validate EPUB with epubcheck. Booksmith's exports are optimized for KDP.
7) Final QA Checklist
- Clickable table of contents
- No widows/orphans in print PDF
- Uniform paragraph spacing and indents
- Live links in eBook back matter
Format Faster with Booksmith
Use Booksmith, an online book formatting tool that creates EPUB, MOBI/KPF, and print-ready PDFs—no desktop software required.