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Ebook vs paperback vs hardcover: what files do you need?

The interior and cover files each format needs, with Amazon KDP and IngramSpark requirements and links to the official pages.

· 2 min read

Illustration of an e-reader, a paperback and a hardcover book standing side by side

Short answer: an ebook needs a reflowable interior file (usually EPUB) and a front-cover image. A paperback needs a print-ready interior PDF and a single full-wrap cover PDF (back, spine and front). A hardcover needs its own interior PDF and a larger case-wrap cover. Exact sizes depend on the platform, trim size and page count.

The files at a glance

EbookPaperbackHardcover
InteriorReflowable EPUB (KDP also accepts DOCX and KPF)Print PDF at your trim sizePrint PDF at a hardcover trim size
CoverFront cover image (KDP: 2,560 × 1,600 px ideal)Full-wrap PDF: back, spine, frontCase-wrap PDF that wraps the board
Size depends onNothing fixed: text reflowsTrim size, page count, paperTrim size, page count, paper
BleedNot applicableKDP: 0.125 in / 3.2 mmKDP: 0.51 in / 15 mm wrap on the cover

Ebook requirements

  • Amazon KDP recommends EPUB, DOCX or KPF (from Kindle Create). MOBI is no longer accepted for new ebooks (since March 2025).
  • KDP's ideal cover size is 2,560 px tall × 1,600 px wide (a 1.6:1 ratio), as JPEG or TIFF.
  • Apple Books requires EPUB files to pass the latest version of EPUBCheck, the W3C's official validator.
  • Ebooks don't support print features such as image bleed, fixed page numbers or running heads.

Paperback requirements (Amazon KDP)

  • Minimum 24 pages; page counts are rounded to an even number.
  • Bleed of 0.125 in (3.2 mm) on the top, bottom and outside edges if images reach the edge.
  • Inside (gutter) margin grows with page count: 0.375 in for 24–150 pages and 0.5 in for 151–300 pages, rising for longer books.
  • Outside margins of at least 0.25 in without bleed, or 0.375 in with bleed.
  • Spine text only on books with more than 79 pages (80 if you use Cover Creator).
  • The cover is one PDF; use KDP's cover calculator for exact dimensions.

Hardcover requirements (Amazon KDP)

  • KDP hardcovers come in five trim sizes and roughly 75–550 pages (check the current limits for your trim and paper).
  • The cover artwork wraps 0.51 in (15 mm) around the board, so the cover file is larger than a paperback cover.
  • Keep text and important images well inside the wrap area, as shown in KDP's template.

IngramSpark and other printers

Requirements are similar but not identical. IngramSpark, for example, asks for 0.125 in of bleed on all four sides of a cover and on the three outer edges of interior pages. If you publish with more than one printer, make one set of files for each, or set the files up to meet both.

Do I need different ISBNs?

Generally, each format (ebook, paperback, hardcover) is a separate edition with its own ISBN if you use ISBNs, though some platforms offer free identifiers. See our ISBN guide for the details.

We prepare ebook files, print interiors and full-wrap covers, sized for your platform.

Sources

Platform requirements checked October 2026. Platforms change their rules, so confirm on the linked page before you upload.

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