When you create an ebook cover, you’re making an image for a digital device, not a physical object. There are no spines, bleed or barcodes. The file still has to meet Amazon’s digital standards, or it is rejected or looks blurry on modern screens.
Amazon’s Ebook Cover Requirements
Amazon’s specifications for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1600 × 2560 pixels (width × height) |
| Aspect ratio | at least 1:1.6 (height must be at least 1.6 × width) |
| Minimum size | 625 × 1000 pixels |
| Maximum size | 10,000 pixels on either side |
| Formats | JPEG or TIFF |
| File size | under 50 MB |
| Color | RGB — not CMYK |
Most problems come down to three things.
Going too small. Hovering near the bare minimum of 625 × 1000 pixels will often trigger a quality warning from Amazon. More importantly, it will look fuzzy and soft on high-resolution tablets and phones. The recommended size is 1600 × 2560 pixels.
Using the wrong shape. If your cover has a different aspect ratio, like a standard 3:4 (for example, 1600 × 2133), Amazon will force it to fit. This often results in awkward letterboxing or distorted scaling, making your book look out of place next to others. If you’re adapting a print design, crop it to the correct 1:1.6 shape instead of squeezing or stretching it.
Saving in the wrong color mode. Software designed for print can sometimes export JPEGs in CMYK color. When viewed on a screen—like in a web browser or on a Kindle—these files will appear dull and off-color. Ebook covers exist only on screens, so the design stays in RGB. (For a deeper dive on this, see RGB vs CMYK).
Why Your Print Cover Isn’t Your Ebook Cover
Think of your print and ebook covers as siblings, not twins. The front panel of a standard 6” x 9” print book has an aspect ratio of about 1:1.5. An ebook cover is a slightly taller, narrower 1:1.6. Trying to use one file for both will force a compromise—either a minor crop or a slight stretch.
The professional solution is to create one master design, then export two final versions: one cropped for print (with bleed), and one cropped to the exact 1:1.6 ebook dimensions. Keep all your text and critical artwork safely within the boundaries of both formats.
Most ebook covers are seen first as a search-results thumbnail about 160 pixels tall. A cover that reads only at full size has failed the thumbnail test.
How to Export Your Final Cover File
Export settings:
- Format: Save as a JPEG with a quality setting of 90 or higher. Amazon advises against heavy compression, as artifacts are most visible in solid colors and smooth gradients.
- Color Profile: Embed the sRGB color profile.
- A Note on Borders: If your cover has a very light or white background, Amazon recommends adding a thin (3–4 pixel) border in a medium gray. This prevents your cover from visually disappearing into the store’s white page background.
Sources
- KDP: eBook Cover Guidelines — dimensions, ratio, formats, 50 MB, RGB
- BeYourCover: Amazon book cover dimensions — spec summary with store-display context
