September 30, 2026 · 7 minutes · Rafael Caldeira
Everything You Need to Know to Publish on Amazon KDP | EbookGPT
A practical Amazon KDP publishing guide: file formats, cover, metadata, AI rules, royalties and review — from account setup through your Kindle eBook launch.
Publishing an eBook on Amazon KDP is free: prepare your file, create the book listing, upload manuscript and cover, set rights and pricing, then submit it for review. In 2026, one important change applies: since July 7, the US Amazon.com price band eligible for the 70% royalty option expanded to $2.99–$12.99; sales outside eligible territories and conditions earn 35%. KDP also requires disclosure when content is AI-generated.
The safe route is not to rush the “Publish” button: check the listing, file, cover, rights, price and preview first — important details become difficult or impossible to change after publication.
Writing and publishing are separate steps: the final file review comes before submission.
Before opening the Bookshelf: prepare what you will upload
1. Manuscript. For reflowable eBooks, KDP accepts EPUB, DOC/DOCX and KPF among other listed formats. Amazon recommends checking the converted file in Previewer. EPUB or DOCX is a practical choice for flowing text; tables, images and notes deserve extra checking. Do not assume PDF is always prohibited: KDP accepts PDF in specified languages, but conversion may be poor. For text-led books, prefer EPUB/DOCX/KPF and inspect the actual result.
2. Cover. KDP recommends JPEG or TIFF for an eBook cover, 1,600 × 2,560 pixels, RGB color, and under 50 MB. That is a vertical ratio close to 1:1.6 — not the landscape editorial image used for this blog post. Shrink the thumbnail and check that title and author remain legible. If typography is added outside the AI, review spelling, contrast, and image/font usage rights.
3. Author account. Sign in with an Amazon account or create a KDP account; complete payment, tax, and account-holder information before expecting payouts. Choose the public author name and make sure title, subtitle, and author details match between metadata and manuscript.
4. Rights and originality. Publish only material you have rights to use. If AI generated text, images, or translations, disclose it during title setup. KDP distinguishes AI-generated content (created by a tool, even if edited later) from AI-assisted content (human-created content developed or edited with tools); AI-assisted content does not require disclosure under the current page. Human review still matters: check facts, quotations, rights, and editorial quality.
A rights mistake can cost more than a formatting error: confirm who owns the content and how the work will be represented in the store.
Royalties and pricing: the current rule is not universal
KDP offers 35% and 70% royalty options. The 70% option does not apply automatically to every sale: it depends on the buyer's territory, price requirements, rights, and other conditions. The calculation excludes VAT; the 70% option also deducts a delivery fee. For sales outside eligible territories, Amazon's official page specifies 35%.
The latest change checked here: since July 7, 2026, the top of the 70% band on Amazon.com increased from $9.99 to $12.99, while the minimum remains $2.99; other stores have their own equivalent amounts. In Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and India, the eBook must also be enrolled in KDP Select to qualify for 70%, in addition to meeting the price conditions. Check your store's table before setting a price: it can change.
| Item | Value / rule |
|---|---|
| Lower royalty option | 35% of list price excluding VAT |
| Higher option | 70% less VAT and delivery, in eligible territories |
| Amazon.com 70% band (since 07/07/2026) | $2.99–$12.99 |
| Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and India | KDP Select + price requirements for 70% |
Summary of official pages checked on September 30, 2026. The band above is specific to Amazon.com; other stores have separate equivalent amounts. This is not an earnings forecast or tax advice. Use the calculator and terms for your target store to estimate net proceeds.
Uploading to KDP, step by step
- Create the title in Bookshelf: choose Kindle eBook and enter language, title, series (if any), edition, author, and contributors.
- Write the store description based on the actual book. Proofread it; do not include URLs, prices, temporary promotions, review requests, or misleading claims.
- Choose relevant categories — KDP currently lets you select up to three — and up to seven keywords or short phrases. Think like a reader. Avoid irrelevant terms, other authors' names, “bestseller,” “free,” and prohibited promotional phrases.
- Declare rights and AI content. Confirm territories and disclose AI-generated content when applicable. Mark AI-assisted only when AI helped develop or edit content created by you, according to the platform's definition.
- Upload manuscript and cover separately. Wait for conversion and review quality alerts before continuing.
- Open Online Previewer and check pages, table of contents, images, and links on phone, tablet, and Kindle. Fix issues in the source file and upload again.
- Set price and royalty for each marketplace; review territories and Select conditions. Save as draft if you are still checking; submit only after confirming every field.
- Track status. KDP's estimate for eBook review/publication is typically 24–72 hours. The product page, cover thumbnail, and search indexing can take up to 72 hours to appear after the book goes live.
A second Previewer check can catch clipping, blurry images, and navigation problems before launch.
The detail that prevents rework: title, author, rights, and file must describe the same book. Previewer is not optional decoration — it is the final chance to inspect the actual conversion before store review.
A 60-second pre-submission checklist
Rights confirmed; title and author match; EPUB/DOCX/KPF validated; 1,600 × 2,560 JPEG/TIFF cover; up to 7 keywords and 3 relevant categories; correct AI disclosure; phone and Kindle preview checked; price and royalty reviewed by territory.
Publish accurately, then follow through
Keep the first launch simple: a Kindle eBook, an honest description, and a tested file. Save the submitted version and pricing settings; track its status in Bookshelf and review the public page when it appears. For updates, revisit details and content knowing that another review period may apply. Check current official rules each time you publish: price bands, territories, and features can change.
After publishing
- Title: “Everything You Need to Know to Publish on Amazon KDP | EbookGPT.”
- Use a 150–160 character excerpt and practical answer in the first two paragraphs.
- Check the links and cover; keep the interior image distinct with accurate alt text.
- Verify files and categories in the dashboard and review the Amazon page after it goes live.
- Sources below are official KDP documentation; confirm dates and prices for the target marketplace.