Free author tool
Royalty calculator
This free book royalty calculator shows what you could earn from each paperback and ebook sold, and how many copies you need to sell to cover your costs. Enter a list price and a page count, adjust the assumptions if your retailer uses different numbers, and read the estimate. It runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
Inputs
Result Estimate
Paperback royalty per copy
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- Ebook royalty per copy
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- Printing cost used
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- Paperback royalties at your volume
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- Ebook royalties at your volume
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- Paperback copies to break even
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Estimates only. Retailer fees, taxes and returns are not included.
How to Use the Royalty Calculator
- Choose the list price for your paperback and your ebook.
- Enter your page count so the tool can estimate the printing cost per copy.
- Change the printing cost or royalty rate if your retailer quotes different figures.
- Enter your up-front costs, such as editing and cover design, to see the break-even number of copies.
How the Royalty Calculator Works
Print royalty is the list price multiplied by the royalty rate, minus the printing cost. A common rate on major retail platforms is 60 percent, and a common printing estimate is a fixed charge plus a small amount per page. Both are editable here because they change.
Ebook royalty is the list price multiplied by the ebook rate. Many retailers pay a higher rate inside a middle price band and a lower rate outside it, so the tool picks 70 percent for prices from $2.99 to $9.99 and 35 percent otherwise. It ignores small delivery fees.
Break-even is your up-front costs divided by the royalty you earn on one copy. If the royalty is zero or negative, the tool tells you to raise the price or cut the printing cost.
Things to Know Before You Rely on the Result
- The figures are estimates for planning, not a statement of what any retailer will pay.
- Taxes, returns, currency conversion and bulk discounts are not included.
- Check the current rules at Amazon KDP pricing help before you set a price.
Royalty Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate book royalties?
Multiply the list price by the royalty rate, then subtract the printing cost for a paperback. The calculator above does this for you and also handles ebook rates.
What is a good price for a paperback?
It depends on length, genre and what comparable books charge. Use the calculator to see how much each price point leaves you after printing, then compare against books like yours.
Does this include my publishing costs?
Only the up-front costs you type in. Enter editing, cover design and formatting to see how many copies you need to sell to recover them.
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