Key takeaways
- Check the current price band and eligibility for the selected royalty plan.
- Include delivery cost when modeling the 70% option.
- Price against relevant reader alternatives, not arbitrary length rules.
- Treat discounts and KDP Select promotions as planned experiments.
Understand the two royalty options
KDP offers 35% and 70% eBook royalty options. The current U.S. 70% list-price band is $2.99 through $12.99, subject to other eligibility requirements. The 35% option supports a broader price range whose U.S. minimum can depend on file size.
The 70% formula deducts applicable taxes and delivery costs; sales outside eligible territories may receive the 35% treatment. Rules also differ for public-domain content and some territories. Confirm the live pricing page for the exact book.
Do not ignore delivery cost
For the 70% option, KDP calculates delivery cost from digital file size at the applicable marketplace rate. Image-heavy books can therefore earn less than a text-focused book at the same price.
Optimize images and files for an acceptable reading experience rather than degrading them solely to reduce cost. Preview the delivered eBook after optimization.
For the broader publishing workflow, continue with KDP Select Explained: Benefits, Exclusivity, and Tradeoffs.
Map the reader's alternatives
Length alone is a weak pricing rule. A concise specialist guide can be more valuable than a long generic book, but the product page and sample must make that value credible.
- Directly comparable Kindle books
- Paperback or hardcover version of the same outcome
- Subscription access such as Kindle Unlimited
- Courses, templates, videos, or free authoritative resources
- The urgency and financial value of solving the problem
Build a candidate price range
Find the eligible band
Confirm current minimum, maximum, territory, and format relationship requirements.
Calculate net royalty
Use KDP's estimate after delivery cost and applicable rules.
Compare the market
Use relevant books with similar reader intent, authority, and depth.
Check positioning
Make sure cover, title, description, sample, and reviews can support the price.
Choose a testable price
Record why it should work and what signal would justify a change.
For the closely related decision, read How to Calculate the Break-Even Point for a KDP Book.
Account for KDP Select
Enrollment can add Kindle Unlimited page-read earnings and eligibility for certain promotions, but it also requires eBook exclusivity during the 90-day term. A temporary promotion can support a launch or series strategy, yet a lower price is not a durable replacement for reader value.
Compare Select with wide distribution using the same period, audience, and revenue logic where practical. Do not assume Kindle Unlimited visibility is guaranteed.
Before moving to the next stage, use Kindle eBook vs Paperback: Which Should You Publish First? as a practical follow-through.
Evaluate price with enough context
Track units, royalties, page reads, refunds, traffic source, and product-page changes. A sales increase after a discount may produce less total contribution, and a quiet week may not supply enough evidence for a conclusion.
Review international prices rather than relying blindly on conversion. Local taxes, currency expectations, and royalty eligibility can change the result.
Common questions
What is the current 70% Kindle price range in the United States?
As of July 7, 2026, KDP lists $2.99 through $12.99 for the Amazon.com 70% option, subject to all other eligibility requirements. Verify the current page before publishing.
Is the 70% option always better than 35%?
Not automatically. Eligibility, territory, delivery cost, price, format relationships, demand, and total contribution all matter. Calculate both available options for the specific book.
Should a Kindle eBook cost less than the paperback?
Usually the formats occupy different price points, and KDP's 70% option has physical-edition price relationship requirements. Check the current rules and the value readers receive in each format.
Official sources and further reading
Platform policies and royalty terms can change. Check the current Amazon documentation before publishing.
Move from research to production
Create the nonfiction manuscript you plan to publish on KDP.
Give Draft Fast your reader, promise, and project details, then review an organized manuscript prepared for editing and publishing.