Standard Book Sizes: From Children’s Books to Coffee Table Books

The size of your book plays a crucial role in its design, printing costs, and overall appeal. Whether you’re publishing a novel, a children’s book, or a coffee table masterpiece, selecting the right dimensions is essential for success. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common book sizes across genres, explore KDP’s requirements, and provide a helpful chart to guide your decision-making. Let’s make sure your book looks as good on the outside as it does inside!

What Are Standard Book Sizes?

When it comes to publishing, standard book sizes refer to the most commonly used dimensions for different types of books. These sizes are widely accepted in the industry, helping authors and publishers streamline the design, printing, and distribution process.

Standard sizes vary depending on the genre and format of the book, with each type offering unique benefits:

Ebooks: Since ebooks don’t have a physical size, the focus is more on the file format (like .mobi or .epub) and ensuring it is compatible with various devices, like Kindle and Nook. Ebooks often allow for adjustable font sizes, so the fixed “size” is less of a concern.

Paperbacks and Hardcovers: For print books, the trim size, the final dimensions after printing and cutting, determines how the book fits on a shelf and how it feels in a reader’s hands. Popular standard sizes for these formats are:

• 5″ x 8″: A compact size often used for novels or novellas.
• 6″ x 9″: A popular size for general fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs.
• 8.5″ x 11″: Common for textbooks, workbooks, and manuals, offering ample space for content, images, and diagrams.
• 8″ x 10″: Frequently used for children’s books or picture books, providing space for large illustrations.

Each standard size serves a purpose, whether it’s making a book easy to carry or offering enough space for detailed visuals. Choosing the right size depends on your content, audience, and publishing platform.

Popular Book Sizes for Different Book Types

Different book types and genres often have specific size preferences that enhance their reading experience and make them more marketable. Here’s a breakdown of the most common book sizes for various genres and formats:

1. Coffee Table Books

• Size: 9″ x 12″, 10″ x 10″
• Why This Size?: Coffee table books are meant to be visually striking and large enough to showcase high-quality images, photography, or artwork. Larger sizes give more room for detailed images, making them ideal for visually rich content.

2. Children’s Books

• Size: 7″ x 10″, 8″ x 8″, 8.5″ x 8.5″
• Why This Size?: Children’s books, especially picture books, are typically larger to accommodate illustrations and larger text. Square formats (like 8″ x 8″) are also popular as they work well for storybooks with pictures, providing a playful, inviting feel.

3. Novels and Fiction

• Size: 5″ x 8″, 6″ x 9″
• Why This Size?: The 5″ x 8″ and 6″ x 9″ sizes are classic choices for novels and general fiction. The 6″ x 9″ size is particularly popular for novels, as it offers a comfortable reading experience while still being compact enough for portability.

4. Textbooks and Manuals

• Size: 8.5″ x 11″
• Why This Size?: Textbooks and manuals typically need a lot of space for text, charts, graphs, and images. The 8.5″ x 11″ size is ideal for these types of books as it offers plenty of room for detailed content and visual aids.

5. Cookbooks

• Size: 7″ x 10″, 8″ x 10″
• Why This Size?: Cookbooks need enough space for clear instructions, ingredients, and often large photos of recipes. The slightly larger sizes like 7″ x 10″ or 8″ x 10″ work well for the organized layout and visual appeal typical of cookbooks.

6. Poetry and Art Books

• Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″, 6″ x 9″
• Why This Size?: Poetry and art books often lean toward compact sizes to make them portable yet elegant. The 6″ x 9″ size gives enough room for layout creativity, while 5.5″ x 8.5″ is a slightly smaller size that can provide a more intimate reading experience.

7. Pocket-sized Books

• Size: 4″ x 6″
• Why This Size?: Pocket-sized books are perfect for a quick read on the go. These smaller formats are often used for collections of poetry, self-help guides, or small editions of classic novels. They’re highly portable and easy to carry in a bag or pocket.

Choosing the Right Size

When selecting the size for your book, consider both the content and the audience. For example, a picture-heavy children’s book might look best in a larger format, while a compact novel may be better suited for a smaller size. Additionally, your distribution platform (like KDP, IngramSpark, or others) may have specific size requirements, so always check the specs before finalizing your book dimensions.

What Are the Book Sizes for KDP?

When publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s important to select the right book size to ensure your book meets their specifications. KDP offers a wide range of sizes, but it’s crucial to choose the one that suits your genre and the design of your book.

Popular KDP Book Sizes

6″ x 9″ 

Why this size?: This is one of the most popular sizes for both paperback and hardcover books on KDP. It’s a versatile, standard size for novels, memoirs, and non-fiction books. Many authors choose this size because it’s widely accepted, comfortable to read, and gives ample space for content and layout.

5″ x 8″

Why this size?: Another popular option for fiction and novels, this size is smaller than the 6″ x 9″ but still offers enough space for easy reading. It’s often chosen for books that want a compact, handheld feel, ideal for readers who prefer a smaller, lighter book.

8.5″ x 11″

Why this size?: This size is best for workbooks, textbooks, or manuals that require more room for text, images, and diagrams. While it’s larger than the standard novel sizes, it’s perfect for content that includes charts, graphics, and detailed instructions.

8″ x 10″

Why this size?: This size is commonly used for children’s books or picture books where larger images and larger fonts are needed. It’s a great size for young readers as it provides ample space for illustrations alongside the text.

7″ x 10″

Why this size?: This is another great option for children’s books or art books that require more space for artwork or illustrations. It’s also used by authors of cookbooks and photo books, allowing enough room for both text and visuals.

KDP Guidelines for Book Sizes

• Margin and Bleed Requirements: When selecting your book size, be sure to check KDP’s margin and bleed guidelines. These guidelines ensure that text and images aren’t cut off during printing. KDP requires specific margins depending on the trim size you choose.
• Paperbacks vs. Hardcovers: For paperbacks, KDP supports sizes like 5″ x 8″, 6″ x 9″, and 8″ x 10″. However, for hardcovers, the available sizes are slightly more limited, typically including the 6″ x 9″ and 7″ x 10″ formats.

How to Choose the Right Book Size for Your Project

Selecting the right book size is essential for making your book visually appealing, functional, and aligned with industry standards. Here are key factors to consider when choosing the right book size for your project:

Consider Your Genre and Target Audience

The size you choose should reflect the genre of your book and the preferences of your target audience.

• Fiction: For novels and general fiction, the most popular sizes are 6″ x 9″ and 5″ x 8″. These sizes are comfortable for reading, allowing for a good balance between text and spacing. If your audience is looking for a more compact read, the 5″ x 8″ size is ideal. For larger, more substantial books, 6″ x 9″ is a great choice.
• Children’s Books: Picture books for children typically use larger sizes like 8″ x 10″ or 8″ x 8″ to allow for bold, large illustrations and text. A bigger format makes the story engaging for young readers.
• Textbooks and Workbooks: If you’re publishing a textbook or workbook, consider using 8.5″ x 11″ as it offers ample space for diagrams, charts, and detailed text.
• Coffee Table Books: Books that rely heavily on images, such as coffee table books or art books, should have larger dimensions like 9″ x 12″ or 10″ x 10″ to showcase the visual content.

Think About Printing and Production Costs

The size you choose will also impact the printing costs, which can affect your royalties and profit margins. Generally, the larger the book, the more it costs to print. Here’s how size affects costs:

• Smaller Sizes generally have lower printing costs, making them a good option for novels and ebooks with a lower price point.
• Larger Sizes have higher production costs because of more paper and larger prints. This is a consideration for books like cookbooks, coffee table books, or textbooks that require bigger pages.

If you’re self-publishing, platforms like KDP offer pricing calculators that help you estimate the cost to print based on your book’s size, page count, and paper type.

Aesthetic and Design Considerations

The right size can enhance the design and layout of your book. Larger books allow for more spacious design, while smaller books can create a more intimate or compact feel.

• Text-Heavy Books: For a text-heavy novel or a memoir, a standard 6″ x 9″ size works well. It offers enough room for text without feeling too bulky.
• Illustrated Books: If your book has many illustrations, large images, or detailed layouts (such as in children’s books or cookbooks), a larger size like 8″ x 10″ or 9″ x 12″ may be a better fit to showcase the visual elements effectively.
• Layout Flexibility: Consider how the size will impact the interior layout. Some book sizes offer more flexibility for creative layouts, especially for books that combine images and text (like graphic novels or picture books).

Review Your Distribution Platform’s Guidelines

If you’re publishing through a platform like KDP, be sure to review their specific book size guidelines. Some platforms may only support certain sizes or have recommended dimensions for specific genres.

For example, KDP supports a variety of sizes, but some, like 5.5″ x 8.5″ or 6″ x 9″, are more commonly used. Always check the printing and formatting specifications for your chosen platform to ensure your book size is supported.

Future-Proofing Your Book

While it’s important to choose the right size for your current project, consider the future. If your book is part of a series, keeping consistent sizing across your books can help with branding and customer recognition. Readers tend to appreciate a cohesive look on their bookshelf, and uniform book sizes are easier to store and display.

Book Sizes Chart: A Quick Reference for Authors

To make the process of selecting the right book size easier, we’ve created a handy book sizes chart that outlines the most common dimensions for different genres and formats. This chart includes both inches and centimeters for convenience and provides a quick comparison to help you make an informed decision.

How to Use This Chart

• Match Your Genre: Look at the typical sizes used in your book’s genre. For example, children’s picture books often use 7″ x 10″ or 8″ x 8″, while novels often fit well in 5″ x 8″ or 6″ x 9″.
• Consider Your Audience: Think about the size that will be most convenient for your readers. If your book is a travel guide or pocketbook, smaller sizes like 4″ x 6″ may work best. On the other hand, larger books like 9″ x 12″ are better suited for coffee table books or heavy art content.
• Balance Production and Price: Larger books typically cost more to print, which affects both your royalties and retail price. Smaller formats can reduce production costs, but might not work as well for more visually oriented books.

This book sizes chart serves as a quick reference for authors to choose the ideal size for their book project. Keep in mind that while these are common sizes, publishers and platforms may offer additional options, so be sure to check their specific guidelines before finalizing your choice.

Standard Book Specs You Should Know

Once you’ve selected the right book size, understanding the standard book specifications is essential to ensure your book is print-ready and meets industry standards. These specs include trim size, margins, bleed, and spine width, which all affect the final product. Here’s a breakdown of the key book specs you’ll need to know:

Trim Size

Trim size refers to the final dimensions of your book after it has been printed and trimmed. It is the size you select when you publish your book, and it should match the size of the pages you submit for printing.

How it impacts your book: The trim size determines how your book will look on shelves and how readable it is. A small size like 5″ x 8″ will be more compact, while a larger size like 8.5″ x 11″ will have more space for text and images.

Tip: Always choose a trim size that fits your content and genre. A standard 6″ x 9″ is versatile, while something like 9″ x 12″ is better for books with lots of images or artwork.

Margins

Margins are the blank spaces around the text of your book, and they help ensure that no content gets cut off during the printing process. Margins also create space for readers to hold the book comfortably without covering the text.

How to set margins: For KDP and other self-publishing platforms, the minimum margin requirements are typically:

• Top and Bottom Margins: 0.5″ to 0.75″
• Inner Margin (Gutter): 0.75″ to 1″
• Outer Margin: 0.5″ to 0.75″

Tip: For thicker books, increase the inner margin (gutter) to ensure text isn’t lost in the spine. Be sure to check your publishing platform’s specific margin requirements before finalizing your manuscript.

Bleed

Bleed refers to the area of your book design that extends beyond the trim size, ensuring that the printed images or backgrounds reach the edge of the page without leaving a white border.

Why bleed is important: If you have images, illustrations, or color backgrounds that go all the way to the edge of the page, you’ll need to set a bleed. Without it, you risk having unsightly white borders around your images when the book is cut to size.

Standard Bleed Settings:

• Bleed Area: Usually 0.125″ (1/8 inch) beyond the trim size.
• For example: If your trim size is 6″ x 9″, the document size should be set to 6.25″ x 9.25″ to account for the bleed.

Tip: Not all books require bleed. If your book has text-only pages or no images going to the edge, you don’t need to set up bleed.

Spine Width

The spine width refers to the thickness of your book’s spine and is determined by the number of pages and paper type. This is particularly important for paperback and hardcover books, as it impacts the overall design.

How spine width is calculated:

• The spine width depends on the page count and the paper type (e.g., cream paper vs. white paper).
• For example, a 6″ x 9″ book with 300 pages printed on white paper may have a spine width of about 0.75″.

Why it matters: Your spine width is crucial for the book cover design, as it helps ensure the title and author name are visible when the book is on a shelf. Some self-publishing platforms, like KDP, will automatically calculate the spine width for you based on your book’s page count and paper type.

File Formats and Upload Requirements

Before submitting your book for printing, it’s important to ensure your file meets the required specs of your chosen publishing platform.

KDP File Requirements:

• Ebook: KDP supports .epub, .mobi, and .pdf formats for ebooks. Make sure your file is properly formatted and optimized for different devices.
• Print: KDP accepts .pdf files for print books. Be sure to embed fonts and ensure your document matches the trim size, margins, and bleed settings.

Other Platforms: IngramSpark, Lulu, and other platforms have similar file requirements but may have additional guidelines for paper types, cover design, and image resolution.

FAQ: Book Sizes and Specs