Kindle eBook Royalty Calculator
Compare 35% vs 70% royalty options. Calculate exact earnings with delivery costs and find the optimal price for your Kindle eBook.
Kindle eBook Royalty Calculator
Calculate your Kindle eBook earnings at 35% or 70% royalty rates
70% vs 35% Royalty
The 70% royalty option has price restrictions ($2.99-$9.99) and delivery fees, while 35% has no restrictions but lower earnings.
70% eligible: $2.99 - $9.99
Delivery Cost: $0.15 per MB
Your eBook Royalties
Royalty Per Sale
$3.19
Amazon's Share
$1.50
Delivery Cost
$0.30
Break-Even ACOS
64.0%
Recommended: 70% royalty option
Tips for Maximizing eBook Royalties
- •70% royalty is only available for prices between $2.99-$9.99 (or local equivalent)
- •Delivery costs only apply to 70% royalty option
- •Keep file size small by optimizing images to reduce delivery costs
- •Consider pricing at $4.99 or $9.99 for optimal perceived value
Create Profitable eBooks with AI
Start FreeUnderstanding Kindle eBook Royalties
The Two Royalty Options
Amazon KDP offers two royalty rates for Kindle eBooks. The choice significantly impacts your earnings per sale.
Royalty Option
- ✓ Higher royalty percentage
- ✓ Best for most eBooks
- ✗ Price must be $2.99-$9.99
- ✗ Delivery fees apply ($0.15/MB)
(Price × 70%) - Delivery Cost
Royalty Option
- ✓ No price restrictions
- ✓ No delivery fees
- ✓ All territories
- ✗ Lower royalty percentage
Price × 35%
Understanding Delivery Costs
Delivery costs only apply to the 70% royalty option and are based on your eBook's file size. Amazon charges per megabyte (MB) to cover wireless delivery.
| Marketplace | Delivery Cost/MB | 2MB Book Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com (US) | $0.15 | $0.30 |
| Amazon.co.uk (UK) | £0.10 | £0.20 |
| Amazon.de (Germany) | €0.12 | €0.24 |
💡 Pro Tip: To reduce delivery costs, optimize your images before uploading. Use JPEG at 72 DPI instead of PNG, and avoid unnecessary formatting. Most text-only eBooks are under 1MB.
📊 Real-World Royalty Examples
Comparing both options for common price points (assuming 2MB file size):
| List Price | 35% Royalty | 70% Royalty | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.99 | $0.35 | N/A | 35% Only |
| $2.99 | $1.05 | $1.79 | 70% ✓ |
| $4.99 | $1.75 | $3.19 | 70% ✓ |
| $9.99 | $3.50 | $6.69 | 70% ✓ |
| $14.99 | $5.25 | N/A | 35% Only |
💡 Kindle eBook Pricing Strategies
Sweet Spot: $2.99-$4.99
Higher royalty percentage with attractive impulse-buy pricing.
Premium: $6.99-$9.99
Maximizes per-sale earnings for established authors or specialized content.
Loss Leader: $0.99
Great for book 1 of a series or building an audience.
Perma-Free
Set price to $0.00 through price matching for maximum reach (no royalties).
70% Royalty Requirements
To qualify for the 70% royalty option, your eBook must meet these criteria:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 35% and 70% Kindle royalties?
The 70% royalty option gives you a higher percentage but has price restrictions ($2.99-$9.99 on Amazon.com) and includes delivery fees based on file size. The 35% option has no price restrictions and no delivery fees but pays less per sale. For most books priced $2.99-$9.99, the 70% option pays more.
What are Kindle delivery costs?
Delivery costs only apply to the 70% royalty option. Amazon charges $0.15 per MB on Amazon.com (rates vary by marketplace). A 2MB eBook would have a $0.30 delivery fee deducted from your 70% royalty. To minimize costs, optimize images and remove unnecessary formatting.
Which royalty option should I choose?
For prices between $2.99-$9.99, the 70% option almost always pays more, even with delivery fees. For prices below $2.99 or above $9.99, you must use the 35% option. Use our calculator to compare exact earnings for your specific price and file size.
How do I qualify for the 70% royalty option?
To qualify for 70% royalties: 1) Price your eBook between $2.99-$9.99 (or local equivalent), 2) Set list price at least 20% below physical book price if available, 3) Enroll in KDP Select OR make eBook available in all Amazon territories, 4) Enable text-to-speech if available.
How are Kindle royalties calculated for international sales?
International royalties follow similar formulas but with local currency prices and delivery rates. VAT (Value Added Tax) may be deducted before royalty calculation in some countries. Our calculator supports 10 Amazon marketplaces with accurate local rates.
What is break-even ACOS for Kindle eBooks?
Break-even ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sale) is your royalty as a percentage of list price. For a $4.99 eBook with $3.19 royalty, break-even ACOS is 64%. Any Amazon Ads ACOS below this means profit; above means loss on ad spend.
Related Calculators
📌 Quick Reference
📁 File Size Tips
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