DPI for KDP Amazon Publishing — Cover and Interior Resolution Requirements
Amazon KDP requires cover images and interior photographs at 300 DPI. KDP prints on HP Indigo digital presses at 812×812 DPI native resolution — your 300 DPI source file feeds this system correctly. KDP enforces specific pixel dimension requirements based on trim size and page count.
KDP Cover Image Requirements
KDP enforces a minimum of 300 DPI at the exact cover dimensions. The pixel formula is straightforward: width in pixels equals trim width in inches multiplied by 300; height in pixels equals trim height in inches multiplied by 300. A 6×9 inch paperback requires a cover of at least 1,800×2,700 pixels.
Full wrap covers include a spine. KDP calculates spine width as page count multiplied by 0.002252 inches for cream paper, or by 0.002347 for white paper. Add the spine width to the total wrap pixel calculation. KDP accepts JPEG or TIFF format, RGB color only, with a maximum file size of 50 MB.
Trim Size to Pixel Conversion at 300 DPI
Every KDP trim size has a corresponding minimum pixel count. Use the DPI calculator to compute any custom trim size instantly.
- 5×8 in: 1,500×2,400 px
- 5.5×8.5 in: 1,650×2,550 px
- 6×9 in: 1,800×2,700 px
- 6.14×9.21 in: 1,842×2,763 px
- 8.5×11 in: 2,550×3,300 px
KDP Interior Image Requirements
Interior photographs embedded in the manuscript require 300 DPI at the placed print size. In Microsoft Word, right-click each image and open Size and Position to verify the pixel dimensions match the layout dimensions at 300 DPI. For PDF interiors, use Acrobat’s Print Production panel to check embedded image resolution before submission.
Black-and-white interior printing requires 300 DPI for grayscale photographs. Line art, diagrams, and text-heavy graphics require 600 DPI or higher to prevent jagged edges under print magnification. KDP Premium Color interior (coated paper) requires 300 DPI RGB images.
Ebook Cover vs Print Cover DPI
Kindle ebook covers display on screens where DPI metadata is irrelevant — browsers use pixel count only. KDP recommends a minimum of 2,560×1,600 pixels for ebook covers. Print paperback covers require 300 DPI at exact trim dimensions, which KDP’s upload checker enforces automatically.
Do not reuse the same image file for both ebook and print covers without verifying the aspect ratio matches the print trim size. A 2,560×1,600 px ebook cover at 1.6:1 ratio does not match the 6:9 (0.667:1) trim ratio of most paperbacks.
How to Fix a KDP Low-Resolution Cover Rejection
KDP rejects covers with the message "Cover image resolution is too low for the requested print size." To fix it, calculate the required pixel dimensions (trim width × 300 by trim height × 300), then use the 300 DPI converter to upscale the image to the required pixel count. Re-export as JPEG at quality 95 or higher and re-upload.
Verify the corrected cover in Photoshop by opening Image › Image Size and confirming the Resolution field reads 300 DPI at the exact cover dimensions before exporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
KDP rejected my cover for low resolution — how do I fix it?
Calculate required pixels: trim width × 300 and trim height × 300. A 6×9 inch book needs 1,800×2,700 pixels minimum. Use the DPI converter to upscale, then re-export as JPEG quality 95+.
Should KDP book covers be CMYK or RGB?
RGB only. KDP converts to CMYK internally using their press profiles. Submitting CMYK files produces unexpected color shifts. Always upload covers in sRGB color space.
How do I calculate spine width for a KDP full wrap cover?
Spine width = page count × 0.002252 in (cream paper) or × 0.002347 (white paper). Add spine width to front and back cover widths. KDP’s dashboard provides a spine width calculator and pre-sized wrap templates.