Best Guide to Formatting Your Book for Amazon KDP

Proper formatting is crucial for a professional-looking book on Amazon KDP. This guide covers everything you need to know about formatting your manuscript for both ebook and print editions.

Why Formatting Matters#

Poor formatting can lead to negative reviews, returns, and lost sales. Professional formatting ensures your readers have a pleasant reading experience across all devices.

Ebook Formatting Basics#

File Formats: EPUB is recommended for best compatibility. KDP also accepts MOBI, DOC, and DOCX.

Essential Elements:
- Working table of contents with hyperlinks
- Proper chapter breaks
- Consistent font usage
- Responsive images that scale properly#

Print Book Formatting#

Margins: Different page counts require different inside margins to account for the binding.
- Under 150 pages: 0.375" inside margin
- 150-400 pages: 0.5" inside margin
- 400+ pages: 0.75" inside margin

Page Size: The most popular trim sizes are 5.5" x 8.5" and 6" x 9".

Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid#

1. 1Using multiple spaces instead of proper indents
2. 2Manual line breaks instead of proper paragraph formatting
3. 3Low-resolution images (must be 300 DPI minimum)
4. 4Inconsistent fonts and styles throughout
5. 5Missing or broken table of contents links

Tools for Formatting#

• Kindle Create (free from Amazon)
• Vellum (Mac only)
• Adobe InDesign (professional)
• Microsoft Word with proper templates

Final Checklist

Before uploading, verify:
- All links work correctly
- Images display properly
- Table of contents is functional
- No orphan or widow lines
- Consistent chapter formatting