How to Upload Your Book to Amazon KDP: Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

You need three core files ready: your manuscript (Word doc, PDF, or EPUB for ebooks), book cover (JPEG or PDF), and your Amazon KDP account verified with tax information.

For paperbacks, your interior file must match your chosen trim size exactly. For ebooks, Word documents work best - KDP converts them automatically with fewer formatting issues than PDFs.

Verify your bank account is connected to KDP for royalty payments. This process takes 1-3 business days, so handle it before uploading.

Log into KDP and click "Create a New Title" on your bookshelf. Choose between Kindle eBook or Paperback - you'll create separate entries for each format even if it's the same book.

Select your primary marketplace (Amazon.com for US authors). You can add international marketplaces later through the Rights & Pricing section.

Avoid clicking "Create Paperback" if you're starting with an ebook. The workflows are different, and mixing them creates formatting headaches.

Fill in your book title exactly as it appears on your cover - KDP flags mismatches during review. Add subtitle if applicable, keeping total title under 200 characters.

Choose your categories carefully. You get two primary categories, but can request additional ones through KDP support after publication. Browse nodes determine discoverability more than broad categories.

Enter 7 keywords (not keyword phrases). Each field can contain multiple related terms separated by commas. Avoid repeating words from your title - it wastes keyword space.

Click "Upload manuscript" and select your file. KDP accepts Word docs, PDFs, EPUB, and HTML for ebooks. Processing time varies: Word docs process in 2-5 minutes, PDFs take 5-15 minutes.

For paperbacks, upload your interior file first. KDP automatically detects your page count and calculates printing costs. If the page count seems wrong, your margins or formatting need adjustment.

Avoid uploading during peak hours (2-4 PM EST) when processing queues are longest. Early morning uploads (6-8 AM EST) process fastest.

Always use KDP's online previewer before proceeding. It shows exactly how your book will appear to readers. Check the first few pages, middle section, and ending for formatting issues.

For ebooks, test different font sizes and device orientations. Your book should be readable at the smallest font setting. For paperbacks, verify text doesn't run into margins and images appear crisp.

The previewer catches formatting problems that cause publication delays. Books with previewer-verified formatting go live 40% faster than those uploaded without preview checks.

Upload your cover image in the highest resolution available - minimum 1600x2560 pixels for ebooks, 300 DPI for paperbacks. KDP automatically generates thumbnails, but higher resolution source files create sharper small images.

For paperbacks, you can upload front cover only (KDP generates the spine and back) or a full wraparound cover. Full covers give you complete design control but require precise spine width calculations.

JPEG files upload faster than PNG files. If your cover includes text, JPEG compression can blur small fonts, so PNG might be worth the extra upload time.

Choose between 35% and 70% royalty options for ebooks. The 70% option requires pricing between $2.99-$9.99 and includes delivery costs (typically $0.06-$0.15 per MB).

For paperbacks, KDP calculates your minimum price based on printing costs. Your royalty equals list price minus printing cost minus Amazon's cut (60% of list price for most markets).

Enable expanded distribution if you want bookstore availability, but note it reduces your royalty rate. Most KDP authors see less than 5% of sales through expanded distribution channels.

Review all your entries on the final screen. Pay special attention to categories, pricing, and territory rights - these are the most commonly incorrect fields.

Click "Publish Your Kindle eBook" or "Publish Your Paperback Book." You'll see a confirmation message and estimated review time. Most books enter review within 30 minutes of submission.

Don't panic if you spot an error after clicking publish. Books in review status can still be edited. Once live, changes require re-review but don't affect your publication date or rankings.

File too large errors: Compress images in your manuscript or reduce image resolution. Most oversized files contain high-res photos that don't need print-quality resolution for ebooks.

Cover doesn't match content: This error means your cover title doesn't exactly match your metadata title. Check for extra spaces, punctuation differences, or subtitle mismatches.

Formatting rejected: Usually caused by inconsistent margins, headers that run into text, or tables that don't fit page width. Use KDP's formatting templates to avoid these issues.

Stuck in "Under Review": Normal review time is 24-72 hours. If it's been longer, contact KDP support through your account dashboard. Holiday periods can extend review times to 5-7 days.