Can I publish a book on Amazon for free?

Yes. Amazon KDP does not charge an upfront publishing fee for ebooks or print books. You pay optional costs such as editing, cover design, proof copies, or advertising only if you choose them.

Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?

An ISBN is not required for a Kindle ebook. KDP can provide a free ISBN for eligible paperback and hardcover editions, although that ISBN is assigned to KDP's publishing imprint.

How much does Amazon take from book sales?

KDP ebook royalties are generally 35% or 70% depending on price, territory and delivery costs. Print royalties are calculated from the list price after printing costs.

Free publishing checklist · Updated for 2026

How to Publish a Book on Amazon for Free

You can publish an ebook or paperback through Kindle Direct Publishing without paying Amazon an upfront fee. This guide shows what is genuinely free, what is optional, and where new authors usually spend money.

The short answer

KDP is free to use. You create an account, upload your manuscript and cover, choose your territories and price, and submit the book for review. Amazon deducts its royalty share and, for print books, the printing cost when a sale happens.

“Free” does not mean every part of publishing is free. Editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, ISBNs outside KDP, author copies and advertising can all cost money. They are optional operating choices rather than an Amazon submission fee.

Calculate your expected royalty

Step 1: Prepare the book files

For a Kindle ebook, prepare a clean EPUB or a supported document file and a separate cover image. For a paperback, prepare an interior PDF with the correct trim size, bleed and margins, plus a full-wrap cover PDF with the spine width calculated from page count and paper type.

Before uploading, check the table of contents, hyperlinks, chapter headings, image quality and page breaks. A technically valid file can still create a poor reader experience if the navigation or typography is inconsistent.

Step 2: Create the KDP listing

Enter the title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords and categories. These fields affect discovery, so describe the actual book rather than stuffing repeated phrases. Choose the primary marketplace and make sure the previewer shows the opening pages correctly.

You do not need an ISBN for a Kindle ebook. For eligible print editions, KDP may provide a free ISBN. Authors who want their own publishing imprint or the same ISBN across multiple distributors can buy an ISBN separately.

Step 3: Choose formats, price and rights

Publishing an ebook and a paperback is not an all-or-nothing decision. Many authors start with the ebook, then add print after the manuscript and cover have been tested. For ebooks, the 70% royalty band usually depends on meeting Amazon's price and territory rules. For print books, the royalty is reduced by the manufacturing cost.

Use the KDP pricing calculator to check the ebook price band and the print cost calculator before you publish. If your book is in Kindle Unlimited, estimate page-read income with the KENP calculator.

What can be free, and what is optional?

Free: KDP account, ebook upload, paperback upload, basic preview and distribution setup.
Optional: editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting software and paid keyword research.
Format-specific: proof copies and author copies cost the manufacturing price plus shipping.
Marketing: ads, newsletter promotions and influencer placements are optional and should be tested against actual sales.

Free does not mean low quality

The safest way to keep the launch free is to do the work yourself while still following a quality checklist. Read the book on an actual device, order a proof copy when the print layout matters, and ask beta readers to flag confusing sections. A professional editor is not mandatory, but preventable errors can cost more in reviews and refunds than they would have cost to fix.

When the book is live, record the list price, royalty rate, pages read and sales by format. The self-publishing cost guide can help separate one-time production costs from recurring promotion costs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I publish under a pen name?

Yes. KDP lets you use a pen name publicly while your account and payment information use your legal details.

Can I change the book after publishing?

Yes. You can upload revised files and update eligible metadata, although major changes may trigger another review.

Is KDP Select free?

There is no separate enrollment fee. KDP Select is an optional 90-day ebook program that includes Kindle Unlimited page-read distribution and has exclusivity rules.

More KDP tools

Complete Amazon publishing guide · Low-content book guide · Monthly KENP rate history · Pro tools