# KDP expanded distribution: what it pays and who qualifies

The royalty rate, a worked example, the trim sizes that qualify and what to check before you turn it on.

Expanded distribution makes your paperback available to bookstores, libraries and online shops outside Amazon. Amazon sales stay the same; sales through these other channels pay less.

## What it pays

Sales through expanded distribution pay 40% of the list price, minus the print cost. Take a 200-page 6 × 9 in novel at $12.99:

| Channel | Royalty per copy |
| --- | --- |
| Amazon.com | $4.39 |
| Expanded distribution | $1.80 |

If the print cost is more than 40% of the list price, an expanded-distribution sale would pay nothing, so set a price that leaves room.

## Sizes that qualify

| Interior | Sizes |
| --- | --- |
| Black ink, white paper | 5 × 8 in, 5.06 × 7.81 in, 5.25 × 8 in, 5.5 × 8.5 in, 6 × 9 in, 6.14 × 9.21 in, 6.69 × 9.61 in, 7 × 10 in, 7.44 × 9.69 in, 7.5 × 9.25 in, 8 × 10 in, 8.5 × 11 in |
| Black ink, cream paper | 5 × 8 in, 5.25 × 8 in, 5.5 × 8.5 in, 6 × 9 in |
| Standard color, white paper | 5 × 8 in, 5.06 × 7.81 in, 5.25 × 8 in, 5.5 × 8.5 in, 6 × 9 in, 6.14 × 9.21 in, 6.69 × 9.61 in, 7 × 10 in, 7.44 × 9.69 in, 7.5 × 9.25 in, 8 × 10 in, 8.5 × 8.5 in, 8.5 × 11 in |
| Premium color, white paper | 5.5 × 8.5 in, 6 × 9 in, 6.14 × 9.21 in, 7 × 10 in, 8 × 10 in, 8.5 × 8.5 in, 8.5 × 11 in |

Custom trim sizes never qualify. Books in Japanese cannot use it.

## Sources

- Source: [KDP · Paperback Royalty](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834330), checked 2026-11-07.
- Source: [KDP · Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator](https://kdp.amazon.com/royalty-calculator), checked 2026-11-07.
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Page: https://kdpbookai.com/guides/kdp-expanded-distribution · Checked 2026-11-09

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