Book Profit Calculator
Work out exactly what you keep per book after print costs and retailer discounts.
ⓘIndicative only. Figures assume every copy sells at the same retail price and discount, and exclude marketing, returns, shipping and payment fees. Use as a planning guide, not a quote.
Pricing a book is guesswork until you see the numbers. This free book profit calculator shows your net profit per copy and your margin once print cost and any distributor or retailer discount are taken out. It answers the question every author asks, how much do authors make per book, with a figure based on your real costs rather than wishful thinking.
Sell direct and you keep most of the cover price; sell through a shop or distributor and a discount of 35% to 55% is normal, which changes everything. Use this book royalty calculator to test different retail prices and discount levels, then set book pricing that still leaves a healthy margin. It pairs neatly with our printing calculator so your unit cost is grounded in reality.
- Always model a trade discount; few books sell only direct.
- Lowering print cost lifts margin as much as raising the price.
- Check your margin survives at your worst likely discount level.
- 01
Enter price and cost
Add your retail price and your unit print cost. If you are not sure of the cost, our Book Printing Cost Calculator gives you a realistic figure.
- 02
Set your discount
Choose the distributor or retailer discount that applies, from zero for direct sales up to typical trade levels of around 40% to 55%.
- 03
See your margin
Instantly view your net profit per book, your margin and your total profit across the number of copies you expect to sell.
Common questions
- How much profit do authors make per book?
- It varies widely with price, print cost and sales channel. On direct sales you might keep most of the cover price, but through shops a 40% to 55% discount and print costs can leave only a pound or two per copy. The calculator shows your real figure once you enter your own numbers.
- What is a good profit margin on a book?
- There is no single rule, but many self-publishers aim to keep a meaningful margin after print and discount, often a few pounds per paperback on direct sales. Margins are tighter through trade distribution. Use the calculator to set a price that keeps your margin healthy across the channels you actually use.
- What is a distributor discount?
- It is the share of the cover price a shop, wholesaler or distributor keeps to stock and sell your book. In the UK trade this is commonly 35% to 55%. You receive the remainder, then pay your print cost from that. The calculator subtracts both so you see your true net profit.
- How should I price my book?
- Look at comparable titles in your genre and format, then check the price leaves an acceptable margin after print and discount. Pricing too low can erase your profit; too high can deter readers. Test several prices in the calculator to find the figure that balances appeal with a sustainable return.
- Does this account for upfront costs?
- This tool focuses on profit per book and total profit on sales. It does not spread one-off costs like editing, cover design or setup across your copies. To understand your full investment, see our guide on how much it costs to self-publish a book in the UK alongside this calculator.
Ready to print your book properly?
Run the numbers with our free tools, then print with real UK book printers.