Last Updated on August 19, 2025 by NEK Editing

According to Amazon’s KDP Help Page, starting on June 10, 2025, the royalty rates for paperback and hardcover books priced at $9.99 and below will change from 60% to 50% for both color and black and white books. They will also be reducing their color printing costs for paperbacks in some marketplaces to help authors adopt color printing.

The color printing costs will reduce the printing costs for regular- and large-trim-sized paperbacks, in standard color for purchases on Amazon.com. This also affects regular- and large-trim-sized paperbacks, in premium color for purchases on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, and Amazon.nl.

Note: eBooks will not be affected by this change.

Find out how KDP’s royalty rates change will affect your book’s list price by continuing to read this post.

Why Different Marketplaces Are Impacted

The list prices are based on exchange rates and operational costs for each marketplace. If you use multiple marketplaces to sell books, you can set your list prices for each individual marketplace.

To check how print books are priced in each marketplace, use the following steps:

1. Go to your KDP Bookshelf. 
2. Click the ellipsis button (“…”) under the PAPERBACK ACTIONS or HARDCOVER ACTIONS menu next to the book you want to update.
3. Choose Edit Rights & Pricing. For published books, choose Edit Print Book Pricing.
4. In the “Pricing & Royalty” section, you can see the price and royalty rate per marketplace.
5. Make any needed changes to individual marketplace prices.
6. Click the Publish Your Paperback Book or Publish Your Hardcover Book button at the bottom of the page.

Note: It can take between 3 to 5 business days for list price updates to reflect on the Amazon Store.

How Your KDP Books Could Be Impacted

For books that are moving to the 50% royalty rate, the minimum list price will increase. This means your book could fall below the NEW minimum list price, which would result in zero royalties.

To avoid this, check all of your book’s current list prices and change them before June 10, 2025.

After June 10, 2025, if your book does not meet the minimum list price, you will be required to comply with the new minimum list price to ensure printing costs are covered.

How Will I Know If My Books Will Move to the 50% Royalty Rate?

You will see a message on your Bookshelf along with a link to download your list of affected books. You can also use KDP’s Printing Costs and Royalty Calculator or view the Rights & Printing page in Title Setup.

To view the Rights & Pricing page:

1. Go to your KDP Bookshelf.
2. Click the ellipsis button (“…”) under the PAPERBACK ACTIONS or HARDCOVER ACTIONS menu next to the book you want to update.
3. Choose Edit Rights & Pricing. For published books, choose Edit Print Book Pricing.
4. In the Pricing, Royalties, and Distribution section, view the minimum list price and estimated royalties for all applicable marketplaces.

How Will My Royalty Rates Appear in My KDP Reports?

For books shipped after June 10, 2025, your Prior Months’ Royalty Report will specify the applicable royalty rate in the “Royalty Type” column.

If you have questions or need help with your KDP account, contact NEK Editing.