Guide · updated October 2026
KDP puzzle book size, margins and bleed: a cheat sheet
All the numbers for setting up a puzzle or maze book on Amazon KDP, in one place. Each table links to the KDP help page it comes from (checked October 2026), so you can confirm before you upload.
Trim sizes
KDP's paperback trim sizes (width × height, inches) on Amazon.com: 5 × 8, 5.06 × 7.81, 5.25 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 6.69 × 9.61, 7 × 10, 7.44 × 9.69, 7.5 × 9.25, 8 × 10, 8.25 × 6, 8.25 × 8.25, 8.27 × 11.69 (A4), 8.5 × 8.5 and 8.5 × 11. Source: KDP trim size, bleed and margins.
For puzzle books, 8.5 × 11 is the classic activity book, 8 × 10 and 8.5 × 8.5 are popular for children, and 6 × 9 suits pocket and adult puzzle books.
Page counts
Every paperback needs at least 24 pages, except standard color ink on white paper, which starts at 72. The maximum depends on the size and the ink:
| Ink and paper | 8.5 × 11 in | 6 × 9 in |
|---|---|---|
| Black ink, white paper | 24 to 590 | 24 to 828 |
| Black ink, cream paper | 24 to 550 | 24 to 776 |
| Standard color, white paper | 72 to 600 | 72 to 600 |
| Premium color, white paper | 24 to 590 | 24 to 828 |
Bleed
Use bleed only when ink runs to the edge of the page (a full-page maze, a background or a frame that touches the edge). Add 0.125 in (3.2 mm) to the top, bottom and outside edge. The PDF page is then the trim width + 0.125 in and the trim height + 0.25 in:
| Trim size | PDF page without bleed | PDF page with bleed |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5 × 11 in | 8.5 × 11 in | 8.625 × 11.25 in |
| 8 × 10 in | 8 × 10 in | 8.125 × 10.25 in |
| 8.5 × 8.5 in | 8.5 × 8.5 in | 8.625 × 8.75 in |
| 6 × 9 in | 6 × 9 in | 6.125 × 9.25 in |
Margins
Keep every maze, answer and page number inside these margins. The inside margin (the gutter, by the spine) grows with the page count:
| Page count | Inside margin | Outside margins, no bleed | Outside margins, with bleed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 to 150 | 0.375 in (9.6 mm) | at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) | at least 0.375 in (9.6 mm) |
| 151 to 300 | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) | at least 0.25 in | at least 0.375 in |
| 301 to 500 | 0.625 in (15.9 mm) | at least 0.25 in | at least 0.375 in |
| 501 to 700 | 0.75 in (19.1 mm) | at least 0.25 in | at least 0.375 in |
| 701 to 828 | 0.875 in (22.3 mm) | at least 0.25 in | at least 0.375 in |
These are KDP's minimums. Puzzle pages look better with more room: a maze that runs right up to the gutter is hard to draw in once the book is bound.
Spine and cover size
The cover is one PDF: bleed + back cover + spine + front cover + bleed across, and bleed + trim height + bleed down, with 0.125 in of bleed. The spine width is the page count times the paper thickness (KDP cover guide):
| Ink and paper | Spine width per page | 100 pages |
|---|---|---|
| Black ink, white paper | 0.002252 in (0.0572 mm) | 0.2252 in |
| Black ink, cream paper | 0.0025 in (0.0635 mm) | 0.25 in |
| Standard color, white paper | 0.002252 in (0.0572 mm) | 0.2252 in |
| Premium color, white paper | 0.002347 in (0.0596 mm) | 0.2347 in |
Example: a 100-page, 8.5 × 11 in maze book in black ink on white paper has a 0.2252 in spine, so its cover PDF is 0.125 + 8.5 + 0.2252 + 8.5 + 0.125 = 17.4752 × 11.25 in.
Spine text needs at least 79 pages. Below that, leave the spine plain.
File checklist
- Interior: one PDF, every page the same size, fonts embedded, images at 300 DPI or more.
- Cover: one PDF at the full-wrap size, with bleed on every side and the barcode area on the back left clear.
- Black ink books: check the pages in grayscale. Light yellow walls can fade to nothing.
- Order a proof copy before you publish.
Puzzle book tips
- Answer keys at the back, numbered to match each puzzle.
- One puzzle per sheet for marker books (no show-through), both sides for pencil books (fewer pages, lower price).
- Puzzle books are not low-content books in KDP's terms (KDP: low-content books), so a paperback needs an ISBN; KDP can assign a free one.
Zigzaggle Studio's Book interior export sets the trim size and bleed for KDP, and Cover Studio draws the bleed, spine, safe areas and barcode box, counts your pages and sizes the spine for the paper you pick.
Watch it in Zigzaggle Studio
Questions
What size should a maze book be on KDP?
Most kids maze books use 8.5 x 11 inches. 8 x 10 and 8.5 x 8.5 inches are also common for children, and 6 x 9 inches suits pocket and adult puzzle books.
Does a puzzle book need bleed?
Only if ink runs to the edge of the page. If every maze sits inside the margins on a white page, you can upload without bleed.
How wide is the spine of a 100-page book?
In black ink on white paper, 100 x 0.002252 inches, which is 0.2252 inches. Cream paper is a little thicker: 0.25 inches for 100 pages.
How many pages do I need for spine text?
KDP needs at least 79 pages before it prints text on the spine.