How Much Does KDP Actually Pay? The Complete Royalties Guide
35% vs 70%, print-on-demand margins, Kindle Unlimited page rates — all the numbers authors need to understand before pricing their book.
Ebook Royalty Tiers: 70% vs 35%
- ✓Price range: $2.99–$9.99
- ✓Available in: US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India
- ✓Delivery fee: $0.15 per MB of file size deducted
- ✓KDP Select enrollment required for some markets
- ✓Example: $4.99 ebook = ~$3.45 per sale (after ~$0.02 delivery fee)
- ·Price range: $0.99–$2.98 OR $10.00+
- ·Available in: All countries
- ·No delivery fee deducted
- ·No KDP Select required
- ·Example: $0.99 ebook = ~$0.35 per sale
- ·Example: $12.99 ebook = ~$4.55 per sale
Kindle Unlimited (KENP) Royalties
In Kindle Unlimited, authors earn per page read, not per download. The rate comes from the monthly KDP Global Fund divided by total pages read across all KU books.
High-engagement books (page-turners) earn more from KU than low-engagement books. For a full analysis of whether KDP Select is worth it for your book, see KDP Select Pros and Cons.
Print-on-Demand Royalties
| Print type | Royalty rate | Typical cost to print | Example: $14.99 book |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDP paperback | 60% of list price minus printing | ~$3.65 (300 pages) | ~$5.35 royalty |
| KDP hardcover | 60% of list price minus printing | ~$8.00 (300 pages) | ~$0.99 royalty |
| KDP large print | Same as paperback | Higher page cost | Lower margin |
Note: Hardcovers have low margins for authors at standard price points. Most indie authors focus on paperback + ebook as their primary formats.
Royalty Math: A Real Author Example
Thriller novel, 320 pages, $4.99 ebook + $14.99 paperback
To earn $1,000/month: ~287 ebook sales OR ~188 paperback sales OR ~649 full KU reads
How Reviews Multiply Royalty Income
A book without reviews earns zero no matter how well-priced. Getting to 25+ reviews increases Amazon visibility — appearing in "also bought" sections, ranking in search, and qualifying for certain promotions — which multiplies total earnings even with the same royalty rate per sale.
The royalty structure is fixed. Your conversion rate is not. Reviews are the single biggest lever for improving how many people buy after discovering your book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Amazon KDP pay royalties?+
Amazon KDP pays royalties approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale occurred. For example, January sales are paid at the end of March. Payments are made monthly via direct deposit, wire transfer, or check.
What is the minimum payout threshold for KDP?+
The minimum thresholds are $100 for check payments, $10 for direct deposit (US bank accounts), and $100 for wire transfers (international). Balances below the threshold roll over to the next month.
Do I earn royalties on free book downloads?+
No. Free downloads through KDP Free Days do not earn royalties. Kindle Unlimited borrows also don't generate royalties at download — you earn per page read. However, free promotions can boost rankings and generate reviews that increase future paid sales.
How do I get the 70% royalty rate in all countries?+
The 70% rate is only available in select countries: US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and India. All other countries default to 35% regardless of price.
Are KDP royalties better than traditional publishing advances?+
They're structured differently. Traditional publishers offer an advance against future royalties of typically 10–15% for print and 25% net for ebooks. KDP pays no advance but much higher per-sale royalties (up to 70%). For authors who can sell consistently, KDP often earns more over a multi-year period.