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KDP margins and bleed

KDP’s inside margin (gutter) grows with page count, from 0.375 in for 24–150 pages to 0.875 in for 701–828. Outside, top and bottom margins must be at least 0.25 in, or 0.375 in with bleed. Bleed adds 0.125 in to three edges of each page.

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The gutter grows with the page count: thicker books curve more at the spine.

Inside margin (gutter)≥ 0.5 in12.7 mm
Outside, top, bottom≥ 0.25 inWithout bleed
┅ Trim┆ Live area▮ Gutter
PDF page size
6 × 9 in = trim
Live area
5.25 × 8.5 in
Pages used
200 (151–300 band)
Bleed
none

Inside margin (gutter) by page count

The gutter is the margin on the binding side of each page: the left side of right-hand pages and the right side of left-hand pages.

Page countMinimum gutter
24–150 pages0.375 in (9.6 mm)
151–300 pages0.5 in (12.7 mm)
301–500 pages0.625 in (15.9 mm)
501–700 pages0.75 in (19.1 mm)
701–828 pages0.875 in (22.3 mm)

These are minimums. Most books read better with a little more: kdpbook adds extra space on top of KDP’s gutter for text-heavy books, and never goes below the minimum.

Outside margins

The outside, top and bottom margins are measured from the trim line. Without bleed they must be at least 0.25 in. With bleed, KDP asks for 0.375 in, because the page is trimmed from a slightly larger sheet and the cut can move a little.

Bleed

Bleed is extra artwork beyond the trim line, so nothing white shows at the edge after cutting. KDP bleed is 0.125 in (3.2 mm) on the top, bottom and outside edges, never on the gutter side. That makes the PDF page 0.125 in wider and 0.25 in taller than the trim:

  • 6 × 9 in with bleed: 6.125 × 9.25 in
  • 8.5 × 8.5 in with bleed: 8.625 × 8.75 in

Bleed requires a PDF manuscript, and if a single page bleeds the whole file must be set up with bleed. Images should be at least 300 DPI at their printed size, including the part in the bleed.

Check which sizes KDP offers in the trim size guide, and size your cover with the cover calculator.

How to use it

  1. 01

    Choose the trim

    The page size of your interior PDF starts from the trim size.

  2. 02

    Enter the page count

    It sets the minimum inside margin (gutter).

  3. 03

    Turn on bleed if needed

    Only when images or colors reach the edge of the page.

  4. 04

    Set up your document

    Use the PDF page size and keep text inside the live area.

Questions

What margins does KDP require?

An inside (gutter) margin of 0.375 in to 0.875 in depending on page count, and at least 0.25 in on the outside, top and bottom, or 0.375 in if the book has bleed.

What page size do I set for a 6 × 9 book with bleed?

6.125 × 9.25 in. Bleed adds 0.125 in to the width (one outside edge) and 0.25 in to the height (top and bottom).

Do I need bleed?

Only if an image, a background color or a design element touches the edge of the page. If one page needs bleed, the whole interior PDF must be set up with bleed.

Why does the gutter depend on the page count?

Thicker books curve more at the binding, so text close to the spine becomes hard to read. KDP asks for a wider inside margin as the page count grows.

Are margins the same for hardcover?

KDP uses the same minimum margins for hardcover interiors. kdpbook adds a little extra gutter on hardcovers because case binding opens less flat.

Can text go into the bleed?

No. Only background art should extend into the bleed: it is cut off when the book is trimmed. Keep text and important details inside the margins.

Make it with kdpbook

Margins that follow your page count.

kdpbook clamps every margin to KDP's minimum for your final page count and extends full-page art into the bleed, page by page.

Make a bookAll KDP tools

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