KDP cover rules: size, bleed, spine text and the barcode area

Every rule KDP's help pages give about the cover file, quoted with its page. Read from kdp.amazon.com on 2026-10-20.

Cover size differs from KDP's wrap for this book (must fix)

"If the file is sized at dimensions other than those expected, Print Previewer will note the discrepancy and prevent approval."
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues
"Cover Width = Bleed + Back Cover Width + Spine Width + Front Cover Width + Bleed"
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines
"Bleed at the bottom of the page cannot exceed 0.125" (3.2 mm)."
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines

Cover background stops short of the bleed (must fix)

"must extend 0.125" (3.2 mm) beyond the trim line. If it does not, it will be rejected."
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues
"There should be no white space around the edges of the cover file"
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues

Cover text too close to the trim, or crossing into the spine (must fix)

"make sure it's at least 0.125" (3.2 mm) inside the trim lines."
KDP, Create a Paperback Cover
"no front or back cover text should extend into the spine area."
KDP, Create a Paperback Cover
"All text must fit within the safe zone."
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues

Rejection Checker note: The cover's words are not live text (outlined, or part of a picture), so type cannot be told from art: lay KDP's cover template over the cover and check by eye.

Spine text on a book of 79 pages or fewer (must fix)

"We only print spine text on books with more than 79 pages."
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines
"the cover will be rejected and require adjustment before your book can go live."
KDP, Create a Paperback Cover

Rejection Checker note: The cover's words are not live text: if the book has 79 pages or fewer, the spine must carry no words.

Spine text closer than 0.0625 in to a fold (must fix)

"with at least 0.0625" (1.6 mm) of space between the text and the edge of the spine."
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines

Rejection Checker note: The cover's words are not live text: lay KDP's cover template over the spine and check by eye.

Cover is not one continuous image centered on the spine (must fix)

"Covers should be one continuous image centered left to right on the spine."
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines

Rejection Checker note: Look at the whole wrap: back, spine and front should read as one picture, the spine centered.

A cover border thinner than KDP's minimum (must fix)

"If you include a white border, it must meet our minimum border width or we may reject your file."
KDP, Create a Paperback Cover

Rejection Checker note: KDP asks that a border reach at least 0.25 in inside the trim line; better, leave borders off.

Text in the barcode area (must fix)

"Covers with images or text in the barcode location will be rejected."
KDP, Barcodes

Rejection Checker note: The cover's words are not live text: check by eye that no words sit in the 2 x 1.2 in area 0.25 in in from the back cover's bottom right corner.

Pictures in the barcode area (must fix)

"Covers with images or text in the barcode location will be rejected."
KDP, Barcodes

Rejection Checker note: KDP does not say whether a background counts as an image there. Keep pictures and graphic elements out of the 2 x 1.2 in area 0.25 in in from the back cover's bottom right corner.