Price is one of the few things in publishing that you can change in a minute, and it affects every sale. Authors often set it by looking at what others charge, and that is sensible, but it leaves open what the book will earn at that price. Ebook royalties depend on a rate, which on many platforms steps up within a price band, and on a delivery charge based on file size. Print royalties depend on a rate and on the print cost. The same book can earn very different amounts at three prices that look similar to a reader.
Free tool · Book Pricing Calculator
Book Pricing Calculator that shows what each price point earns before you choose
The book pricing calculator compares your royalties at a range of prices for an ebook and a print edition, and works out the price that gives the royalty you want, using your print cost, your ebook and print royalty rates and your ebook file size and delivery charge. It runs in your browser, uses fields that you can edit to match your platform's terms and is free for self-published authors.
Use the free tool
The book pricing calculator is free to use, with no account and nothing uploaded.
- Price point table
- Target royalty price
- Ebook and print
Key facts
- FreeNo cost, no account and no usage limit on the book pricing calculator
- In your browserNothing that you type or paste into the book pricing calculator is uploaded
- SecondsTypical time from opening the book pricing calculator to a result
Free tool
Book pricing calculator
Compare royalties at several price points for an ebook and a print edition, or find the price that gives the royalty you want.
The book pricing calculator needs JavaScript, and it works in your browser without sending anything that you enter to a server.
Overview
What the book pricing calculator does and why it helps
The calculator works in both directions. Enter the royalty that you would like to earn on each copy, the print cost per copy, the ebook royalty rate, the print royalty rate, the ebook file size and the delivery charge per megabyte, and it shows the ebook price and the print price that would give that royalty, and a table of royalties at a range of common prices from 0.99 to 19.99 dollars. You can see at a glance where the ebook royalty jumps as a price crosses a band and where the print royalty becomes thin.
The numbers use the rates that you enter, so replace them with the terms of your own platform and check them from time to time, since rates, price bands and delivery charges can change. The ebook column applies the higher rate minus the delivery charge, so it applies only where your platform offers that rate for the price. Compare the prices you are considering with similar books in your category, since readers judge value against the shelf, and use the calculator to understand what each price earns.
The book pricing calculator helps you choose a list price that covers printing cost and leaves a sensible profit. Authors can use this free book pricing calculator as often as they like, and it never asks for payment. It runs as a book pricing calculator online, so a laptop, tablet or phone is all you need. It is a book pricing calculator for authors, so the defaults assume you are preparing a book rather than a business report. It also serves as a book pricing calculator for self-published books, whichever store you publish through. It doubles as a book pricing calculator for KDP, because the figures it uses match Amazon's rules. As a book pricing calculator no sign up page, it asks for no email and sets no account. We cannot say what the best book pricing calculator is for everyone, but we have made this one show its working so you can trust the answer.
How to use it
How to use the book pricing calculator, step by step
Choose your formats
Select ebook, print or both. The tool then compares prices and royalties for each format side by side, so that you can see how a change in one affects the other.
Enter your print cost
Type the print cost per copy from your printer's calculator. The ebook has no print cost, but some royalty options deduct a delivery charge instead.
Enter your royalty rates
Type the rates for your ebook and print editions as the platform states them. The tool applies them to every price in the table, so use the current terms.
Enter your ebook file size
The delivery charge on some royalty options depends on file size, so type the size in megabytes. A large illustrated file can cost far more to deliver than a plain novel.
Read the price table
The tool shows your royalty at a range of prices for each format. Look for the price at which the royalty is highest and for any price at which the rate changes.
Set a target royalty
Enter the royalty you want per copy, and the tool shows the price that gives it. Compare that price with what readers in your genre pay, and adjust one or the other.
How the book pricing calculator works
The royalty at every price, and the price for every royalty
Enter the royalty per copy that you want, your print cost and the royalty rates for ebook and print. The tool finds the list price that gives that royalty for each format and also shows a table of royalties at twelve price points from 0.99 to 19.99.
For ebooks it applies your high-rate percentage and subtracts the delivery charge for the file size, and for print it applies your print rate and subtracts the print cost. The table lets you see how each step in price changes your income, and where print becomes profitable.
Price also affects how many copies you sell, which the tool cannot know. Compare your price with similar books in your category, test changes over time and remember that readers judge value against the shelf, not against your costs.
- A price for your target royalty
- A table of twelve price points
- Ebook and print side by side
Method
How the book pricing calculator works out its answer
The target price
For ebooks, the tool adds the delivery charge to your target royalty and divides by the royalty rate. For print, it adds the print cost to your target royalty and divides by the print royalty rate.
The price table
For each price in a set from 0.99 to 19.99 dollars, the tool shows the ebook royalty, which is the price times the rate minus the delivery charge, and the print royalty, which is the price times the rate minus the print cost.
Delivery charge
The ebook file size in megabytes is multiplied by the delivery charge per megabyte, which matters for books with many images.
Your terms
All rates and costs are fields that you can edit, so that the calculation follows your platform's present rules.
Tips
Getting the most from the book pricing calculator
Compare at three or four prices
The table shows which price earns the most, and where earnings fall off. A small change in price near a band edge can matter more than a large one elsewhere.
Check your platform's current terms
Rates and price bands change, and the tool lets you edit them. Confirm them on the platform before you rely on a result.
Test and adjust over time
Prices can be changed after launch. Try one price for a few weeks, check the results and adjust. A few minutes with the book pricing calculator now saves time across the whole manuscript.
Need it done for you?
When the book pricing calculator is not enough
The calculator shows what each price earns. These services help the book deserve the price, with a lean file, an efficient interior and a cover that sells it.
eBook Formatting Services
An ebook specialist builds a lean file with optimised images, which keeps the delivery charge low and the royalty higher.
See the service →Paperback Formatting
A paperback interior with an efficient page count lowers the print cost and raises the margin at any price.
See the service →Book Cover Design
A cover that makes a book look worth its price supports the price that you set, and a designer builds one for your genre.
See the service →Before and after
Before and after using the book pricing calculator
The same book, first priced by looking at competitors and then priced with its royalty in view.
123Before
- 1A price just below a royalty band
- 2A print price that left a few cents
- 3An ebook with a high delivery charge
123After
- 1A price inside the best royalty band
- 2A print price with a healthy margin
- 3An ebook file sized to keep delivery low
- 3problems found in the first review
- 3fixes checked in the final review
- 1named specialist owning every fix
- Fixedprice confirmed in the calculator before you order
More income per sale
A price inside the right band can earn far more per copy than one just outside it.
A healthy print margin
The print price covers the printing and leaves a royalty, so each sale pays.
Lower delivery costs
Image files are right-sized, so the delivery charge does not eat the royalty.
Client reviews
What authors say about our pricing strategy review service
Verified reviews from authors who asked a specialist to handle the pricing strategy review after using the book pricing calculator.
The formatting error fix service saved my launch. My original formatter had made margin errors causing repeated rejection. Book Formatting Experts identified and fixed every issue within 48 hours. My launch was back on schedule.
My KDP file was rejected with a technical error message I could not understand. Book Formatting Experts diagnosed the problem immediately — a bleed issue on three pages — and corrected it the same day. Approved first time.
As a first-time author, the technical side of self-publishing was genuinely daunting. The consultation covered every decision — platform choice, pricing strategy, metadata, and distribution. I launched with genuine confidence.
My YA novel needed to reach both English-language and Japanese readers. The multi-region distribution setup was handled correctly across all required platforms. International sales have exceeded my expectations.
Getting historical fiction placed in the right categories on Amazon and IngramSpark required strategic metadata. The team understood the genre classification and the book reached the right readers from the first week.
Navigating IngramSpark's requirements for the first time felt overwhelming. The upload assistance handled everything — metadata, pricing setup, distribution channels. My children's book reached bookstores within two weeks.
Good support throughout the KDP upload process. The metadata setup and category selection were explained clearly. One pricing setting needed adjustment after initial setup but it was corrected quickly.
The publishing readiness review identified four issues in my manuscript that would have caused rejection. Each was clearly explained and quickly resolved. My book launched without any technical complications.
Good publishing support overall. The KDP metadata setup was thorough. One category selection needed updating after initial launch but it was corrected promptly. The book is performing well in its target categories.
My cookbook needed to be set up across multiple platforms simultaneously. The publishing support team handled every submission — KDP, IngramSpark, and Apple Books — with different requirements for each. Flawlessly executed.
The world-building section of my website gives readers a proper introduction to my universe before they even open the first book. It is exactly what a fantasy series needs. Beautifully structured and genuinely immersive.
The cover communicates tension and danger without revealing too much of the plot. The design is original rather than using standard genre conventions. It stands out distinctively on Amazon search pages.
The interactive elements in my EPUB — internal links, chapter navigation, and resource appendix — all work perfectly. My readers have specifically mentioned how easy the ebook is to navigate.
My YA book needed a layout that felt contemporary without being gimmicky. The chapter openers, font choices, and spacing all work for the target age group. My teen readers said it felt like a real published novel.
The bleed formatting on my picture book was handled exactly right. The full-colour spreads print edge to edge without any white borders. The final book looks like it came from a major publisher.
The interior was formatted cleanly and the file passed KDP without corrections. I had one request during revisions about the callout box styling and it was updated promptly. Overall a good experience.
My psychological thriller had unreliable narrator chapters that needed specific typographic signals to the reader. Every formatting choice reinforced the story. My beta readers said the book felt cinematic.
Really solid work. The formatting was clean and professional. My only note was turnaround took a day longer than expected, but the final file was exactly right and uploaded without any issues.
More free tools
More free tools to use with the book pricing calculator
Each of these tools is free, runs in your browser and works well alongside the book pricing calculator.
KDP Royalty Calculator
Free kdp royalty calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you KDP royalty review service in this pricing strategy review order.
Open the tool →Book Margin Calculator
Free book margin calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you print margin review service in this pricing strategy review order.
Open the tool →Ebook File Size Calculator
Free ebook file size calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you ebook file optimisation service for the pricing strategy review.
Open the tool →Book Break Even Calculator
On this pricing strategy review job, free book break even calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you break-even plan service.
Open the tool →Print Cost Comparison Calculator
Free print cost comparison calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you printer quote comparison service in this pricing strategy review order.
Open the tool →Self Publishing Budget Calculator
For a pricing strategy review, free self publishing budget calculator that works in your browser, plus a done-for-you publishing budget plan service.
Open the tool →FAQ
Book Pricing Calculator: questions answered
These are the questions authors ask most about the book pricing calculator, including accuracy, privacy and what to do next. If your question about the pricing strategy review is missing, request a quote and a specialist will reply.
What is a book pricing calculator?
It is a tool that shows the royalty at many prices for an ebook and a print edition, and the price that gives a royalty you choose.
How do I choose a price for my ebook?
Compare similar books, check your platform's price bands and use the calculator to see what each price earns.
How do I price a paperback?
Add the print cost to the royalty that you want and divide by the royalty rate. The calculator does this.
What is a price band?
It is a range of prices in which a platform pays a particular royalty rate. Prices outside the band may earn a lower rate.
What is the ebook delivery charge?
Some platforms charge a fee based on the file size of an ebook at higher royalty rates. Large files with many images cost more.
What price should a first book have?
Many authors price book one low to attract readers and later books higher. The calculator shows what each choice earns.
What is a good royalty per copy?
It depends on your goals. Use the calculator to see what a price earns and decide what you need.
Why does my paperback earn so little?
Print cost takes a large share of the price, so a low price can leave very little.
Does a lower price always mean more sales?
Not always. A price that is too low can signal low quality, and it earns less per sale.
Can I use the calculator for a hardcover?
Yes. Use the higher print cost of a hardcover and the royalty rate that applies.
Does the book pricing calculator keep anything that I enter?
No. The book pricing calculator works in your browser, so what you enter stays on your device and is never saved.
Is the book pricing calculator free?
Yes, the pricing calculator costs nothing, needs no account and puts no limit on the prices you test.
How does a book pricing calculator work?
It adds printing cost to your target profit and adjusts for the retailer's share to suggest a list price.
How to use a book pricing calculator?
Enter page count, trim size and target profit, then read the suggested price.
Is there a book pricing calculator with examples?
Yes. The page includes a worked example so you can compare it with your own numbers or text. Compare two price points.
What is the book pricing calculator formula?
List price equals printing cost plus target profit, divided by one minus the retailer's share.
Can I use a book pricing calculator spreadsheet instead?
You can, and a book pricing calculator spreadsheet works if you are happy to maintain the formulas yourself. This page does the maths for you and shows the working, so there is nothing to copy or update.
Work with a specialist
Turn what you learn from the book pricing calculator into a finished book
The book pricing calculator costs nothing, and so does asking what a specialist would do with your book. When the book pricing calculator has done its part and you want finished files, a fixed price and one named person who owns the job, we are ready to start.