How Do I Format an Ebook for KDP?
TL;DR:KDP accepts EPUB, DOCX, and KPF file formats. Your ebook needs a properly structured table of contents, clean chapter breaks, consistent formatting, and embedded images at 300 DPI. Avoid complex layouts and manual formatting — use styles for headings and body text.
Formatting an ebook for Kindle is different from formatting for print. Kindle ebooks are reflowable, meaning readers can change font, size, and layout. Your formatting needs to adapt cleanly across all devices and settings.
KDP accepts three file formats: EPUB (industry standard), DOCX (Word), and KPF (Kindle Package Format from Kindle Create). Amazon converts these into the final format used on Kindle devices.
A proper table of contents is essential. Kindle requires a clickable navigation table of contents. If you are using Word, apply Heading 1 and Heading 2 styles to chapter titles — these automatically generate the TOC during conversion. Most formatting tools handle this for you.
Use real page breaks for chapters. Insert page breaks instead of adding blank lines. Extra spacing can display inconsistently across devices and create awkward formatting issues.
Use paragraph styles instead of manual formatting.
- Set consistent body text using styles
- Indent paragraphs using formatting settings, not tabs
- Avoid manual justification — Kindle handles this automatically
Images should be optimized for ebook display.
- Minimum ~625 pixels on the longest side
- 300 DPI recommended
- Use JPEG or PNG formats
Large images increase file size and may increase delivery fees without improving readability on most screens.
Avoid common formatting mistakes:
- Page numbers (ebooks are reflowable)
- Headers and footers
- Text boxes or multi-column layouts
- Pasting content from PDFs
- Unusual or unembedded fonts
Always preview your ebook before publishing. Use the KDP Previewer to check your table of contents, chapter breaks, images, and formatting across simulated devices.
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