KDP vs Short-Run Calculator
See whether Amazon print-on-demand or your own short run earns you more per book.
ⓘEstimates only. KDP royalty assumes Amazon’s 60% list model and UK print fees; short-run profit assumes direct or event sales at full retail. Real quotes depend on specification, distribution discounts and your sell-through.
Choosing between Amazon KDP and ordering your own copies is one of the biggest decisions an indie author makes. This free KDP vs short run calculator compares your KDP royalty per book against the profit from a short-run print order with a UK printer, then shows the break-even point where one route overtakes the other. It is a clear, numbers-first way to compare print on demand vs short run.
Print-on-demand means no upfront stock and global reach, but Amazon's print cost and 60% royalty cap your margin. A short run costs money upfront, yet your cost per book falls fast and you keep far more on direct and event sales. Enter your page count, colour and retail price, and this KDP royalty calculator reveals which model pays you more at your expected sales volume.
- Test a realistic retail price, not your best-case one, for honest figures.
- Remember short-run profit assumes you sell copies directly, keeping more.
- If sales are uncertain, start on KDP and order a short run later.
- 01
Enter your book and price
Add your page count, interior colour and planned retail price. The tool estimates your Amazon KDP print cost and royalty per copy from these.
- 02
Set your short-run order
Choose a binding and quantity for a short run. The calculator works out your unit cost and the profit you keep on each direct sale.
- 03
Find your break-even
See how many copies you need to sell for a short run to beat print-on-demand, plus a clear recommendation for your numbers.
Common questions
- How much does Amazon KDP pay per book?
- For paperbacks, KDP pays a 60% royalty on the list price minus its printing cost. So on a book priced at around £9.99, you might keep a few pounds once the print fee is deducted. Longer books and full colour reduce your royalty because they cost more to print. The calculator estimates this for your exact book.
- Is a short run cheaper than print-on-demand?
- Per book, a short run is usually cheaper once you order a reasonable quantity, because bulk printing lowers the unit cost. Print-on-demand wins when you sell low volumes or want zero upfront stock. The break-even figure in the calculator shows the exact crossover point for your numbers.
- What is the break-even point?
- It is the number of copies you need to sell for a short run's higher upfront cost to pay off versus print-on-demand. Below it, KDP is the safer choice; above it, your own short run earns more overall. The tool calculates this from your retail price, print costs and setup fee.
- Can I use both KDP and a short run?
- Yes, and many authors do. They use KDP for hands-off online sales and reach, while ordering a short run for events, signings, bookshops and direct sales where margins are far higher. The calculator helps you see which channel is most profitable so you can split your strategy sensibly.
- Does this include Amazon's distribution discount?
- This comparison models KDP's standard 60% royalty for direct Amazon sales against short-run copies you sell yourself. If you plan to sell through trade distribution, margins shrink on both sides. Our Book Profit Calculator lets you apply a distributor or retailer discount for that scenario.
Ready to print your book properly?
Run the numbers with our free tools, then print with real UK book printers.