# How to choose a KDP trim size and paper for your book

Source: https://kdpbook.io/guides/kdp-trim-sizes-and-paper-types · Updated 2026-10-15

16 paperback and 5 hardcover trims, 5 ink and paper options, page limits and cost. Novels: 5x8–6x9 on cream. Picture books: 8.5x8.5 premium color.

Short answer: Choose the trim size and the ink first: after publishing, changing either means a new edition. Common picks: novels at 5x8 to 6x9 on cream paper, non-fiction at 6x9 on white, picture books at 8.5x8.5 in premium color, coloring books at 8.5x11 on white. Compare every size to scale: kdpbook.io/kdp/trim-sizes.

Key numbers:
- 16 paperback trims and 5 hardcover trims
- Custom paperback sizes from 4 × 6 in to 8.5 × 11.69 in
- Large trims (wider than 6.12 in or taller than 9 in) cost more per page
- 5 ink and paper options; standard color needs 72–600 pages

Sections: Which trim sizes can you choose? · Regular vs large trims · The five ink and paper options · What each option costs · Which trim and paper suit your book?

These two choices set your page limits, [spine width](https://kdpbook.io/glossary/spine), printing cost and royalties. Start from the [KDP trim sizes](https://kdpbook.io/kdp/trim-sizes) drawn to scale, compare the five ink and paper options and what they cost, then use the picks by genre at the end of this guide.

## Which trim sizes can you choose on KDP?

KDP offers 16 standard paperback sizes and 5 hardcover sizes (5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10, 8.25 × 11 in); the trim size is the size of the finished book. Paperbacks can also use a custom size between 4 × 6 in and 8.5 × 11.69 in.

See every size drawn to scale, with its page limits, in the [trim size tool](https://kdpbook.io/kdp/trim-sizes). For hardcover costs and royalties, read [KDP paperback vs hardcover](https://kdpbook.io/guides/kdp-paperback-vs-hardcover).

## Regular vs large trims

KDP calls a trim **large** when it is wider than 6.12 in or taller than 9 in. Large trims cost more to print per page. 6 × 9 in is the biggest size that still counts as regular, one reason it is so popular. Large sizes: 6.14 × 9.21, 6.69 × 9.61, 7 × 10, 7.44 × 9.69, 7.5 × 9.25, 8 × 10, 8.25 × 6, 8.25 × 8.25, 8.5 × 8.5, 8.5 × 11, 8.27 × 11.69, 8.25 × 11 in.

## The five ink and paper options

| Option | Best for | Pages (most trims) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Premium color · white paper** 60–71 lb (88–105 GSM) · paperback & hardcover | Rich, vivid color. Best for full-page illustrations. | 24–828 |
| **Standard color · white paper** 50–61 lb (74–90 GSM) · paperback only | Cheaper color for text-heavy books. | 72–600 |
| **Black & white · white paper** 50–61 lb (74–90 GSM) · paperback & hardcover | Non-fiction, workbooks, coloring books. | 24–828 |
| **Black & white · cream paper** 50–61 lb (74–90 GSM) · paperback & hardcover | The classic look for novels. Slightly thicker spine. | 24–776 |
| **Black & white · groundwood paper** 45 lb (60 GSM) · paperback only | Lighter paper, about 5% lower print cost per page. | 24–812 |

Page limits are lower on the 8.25 in and 8.5 in wide trims, and [standard color](https://kdpbook.io/glossary/standard-color) isn’t available on A4 or on Amazon.com.au. Groundwood is the newest option: a lighter, cheaper paper that isn’t suited to heavy ink coverage. Deciding between the two color inks? Read [KDP premium color vs standard color: cost, quality and when to use each](https://kdpbook.io/guides/kdp-premium-color-vs-standard-color).

## What each option costs

Printing cost and spine width for the same 6 × 9 in, 200-page paperback on Amazon.com:

| Option | Spine | Printing cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium color · white paper | 0.469 in | $14.00 |
| Standard color · white paper | 0.45 in | $6.10 |
| Black & white · white paper | 0.45 in | $3.40 |
| Black & white · cream paper | 0.5 in | $3.40 |
| Black & white · groundwood paper | 0.47 in | $3.28 |

Compare any configuration across marketplaces with the [printing cost calculator](https://kdpbook.io/kdp/printing-cost-calculator).

## Which trim size and paper suit your book?

- **Novel**: 5 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5 or 6 × 9 in, black and white on cream.
- **Non-fiction**: 6 × 9 in (or 7 × 10 in with many figures), black and white on white.
- **Picture book**: 8.5 × 8.5 in or 8 × 10 in, [premium color](https://kdpbook.io/glossary/premium-color) with bleed.
- **Illustrated book over 72 pages**: consider standard color to keep the price reasonable.
- **Coloring, activity and workbooks**: 8.5 × 11 in, black and white on white.

Every [kdpbook book type](https://kdpbook.io/book-types) starts from a trim and paper that suit it, and only offers combinations KDP accepts for your page count.

Sources (checked 2026-09-28):
- [KDP Help: Print Options](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834180)
- [KDP Help: Update Your Book Details (what is locked after publishing)](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200736410)
- [KDP Help: Set Trim Size, Bleed, and Margins](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GVBQ3CMEQW3W2VL6)
- [KDP Help: Printing Cost (paperback)](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834340)
- [KDP Help: Expanded Distribution](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GQTT4W3T5AYK7L45)
- [KDP Help: Book Titles & Editions](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GW7J4WEKBVU25YEC)

## Questions

Q: Is cream or white paper better on KDP?
A: Cream is the norm for novels and memoirs: it's warmer and easier on the eyes for long reading. White suits non-fiction, workbooks, coloring books and anything with images. They cost the same to print; cream makes a slightly thicker spine.

Q: What's the difference between premium and standard color on KDP?
A: Premium color is richer and suits full-page illustrations; it's available from 24 pages and for hardcovers. Standard color is much cheaper per page but meant for text with some color, paperback only, and needs 72–600 pages.

Q: Can I change the trim size after publishing?
A: No. KDP treats a new trim size, or a new ink type, as a new edition: you set it up as a new title with a new ISBN. The paper is the one exception: a black-and-white paperback can switch between cream, white and groundwood paper after publishing.