Standard book sizes vary based on the type of book you choose to publish. Just as there are book genre expectations you want to meet in your plot structure and characters, the same is true for book sizes.
Imagine sitting down to read an adult thriller and the book is the shape of a children’s board book. It would feel odd, to say the least! Because of this, it’s important to know your book category and the standard book sizes that go along with it.
This way, when it comes time to upload your book to Amazon KDP, you know exactly what size to choose. I cover everything standard book sizes so you can gain the confidence you need to upload your book in the perfect size!
Standard book sizes: what’s covered
Why does standard book size matter?
While you definitely want to exceed expectations with your characterization and plot twists, it’s important to meet expectations with book size so your readers want to grab your book and read it. I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly picked up a classic before and did not want to finish it simply due to the book size.
What do I mean?
- The word count was high, but the book was small. This made for a dense book that was difficult to open. I had to pull at the front and back to open the pages enough to read full sentences.
- Due to the size of the book, the font was also smaller than standard. This made what would have been a simple read a bit more difficult.
- The presentation turned me away from wanting to read, rather than drawing me in.
When considering standard book sizes, it’s crucial to put the reader and their reading experience first. You can of course play around with various book sizes based on the purpose of each edition, as the various iterations of the Harry Potter books demonstrate.
The large, hardcover, Jim Kay editions create an entirely different reading experience than the smaller, paperback versions. Let’s look at two aspects of standard book sizes so you know exactly how to set your book up for success.
Mass market paperback dimensions
Mass market paperback dimensions are typically 6.87 inches x 4.25 inches. Also called pocket books (not like the wallet), these books are intended to easily slip into your pocket or purse so you can read at your leisure, wherever you happen to be.
You can often find mass market paperback books in racks at grocery stores or while sipping your lattè walking through the book section of an airport.
Some mass paperback dimensions can reach 7.75 inches x 4.25 inches, about one inch taller but just as thick. This can help if you have a word count that exceeds the typical mass paperback count, or you want to use a larger font.
When deciding on the standard book size for your paperback, you want to be aware of the circumstances your readers may find themselves in while reading. For example, many readers want that feel-good paperback for the plane ride, to throw in their beach bag, or to leave in their car.
Small, standard book sizes make their reading goal much easier. Take it from one who’s tried: stuffing a large book into a carry-on that’s supposed to neatly fit under the plane seat in front of you can make the reading experience more stressful than necessary!
Book size consistency goes a long way in helping your readers achieve their reading goals while also meeting their expectations.
Particularly with so many writers publishing books on Amazon, it’s important for readers not to be too surprised at the book size they receive in the mail. Keeping your mass paperback dimensions between 4.25 inches and 6.87 or 7.75 inches is a great way to meet reader expectations.
Standard book page size
Standard book page size largely depends on the genre of the book. There is such a thing as book size expectations as it relates to genre, as I briefly mentioned above.
Mass market paperbacks
For continuity, remember that mass market paperback standard book sizes fall between 6.87 inches x 4.25 inches and 7.75 inches x 4.25 inches. The larger size often works well for readers who grew up reading the smaller size, but now need a bigger font as they’ve aged.
Trade paperbacks
Trade paperbacks are more often found in a bookstore, rather than stuffed in racks at your local grocery store checkout lane. These books appear in Barnes & Noble, are usually viewed as higher in print quality, and sit at 6 inches x 9 inches for the trade size (5.5 inches x 8.5 inches for digest size).
Standard book sizes for trade paperbacks, as you can see, are a bit larger than the standard book sizes for mass market paperbacks. Trade books are made with intention around their quality and durability.
While you can toss your mass market paperback into your beach bag alongside your sunscreen and sandy towel, trade paperbacks you may carry with you in your hand or more carefully tuck into your purse with your sunglasses and wallet.
Hardcover books
Hardcover books are the cream of the crop, particularly if they have a dust jacket. Some hardcover books’ standard books sizes are the same as trade paperbacks, coming in at 6 inches x 9 inches. However, they can go up as large as 8.5 inches x 11 inches.
These books make an elite line on your bookshelf and are usually at a higher price point than trade or mass market paperbacks.
When deciding which format to use for your book, take a look at the most popular book genres on Amazon and their respective sizes. See what’s selling well, then compare your genre and desired book size to current trends in the market.
Some readers love the accessibility of a mass market paperback. Other readers want to purchase the premium, hardcover version and add it as decor to their bookshelf. Just remember to keep in mind your book genre and the genre expectations that come with it, from plot and characters to size and hard/soft cover choice.
Page count, genre, and readability
Consider the standard book sizes for your genre and just how many pages you can include. Standard book sizes go hand-in-hand with word count. If your memoir is 200,000 words, but needs a standard book size, your readability will drastically decrease.
Use this guide to determine how many words should be in your book, whether fiction or nonfiction. Then, use the above standard book sizes to help you settle on your final book size. You may need to edit your book down or add a subplot, but it will be worth it for the good of your readers!
Standard book sizes: take your next step
Now that you know all about book sizes, it’s time to take the next step toward your dream. Are you ready to publish your book? Take our free, 2-minute Publishing Path Assessment to choose the best route for you and your book. Then get to writing!