A Guide to Standard Book Sizes & Dimensions in Publishing
Done with writing your book and confused about what comes next?
Every author feels confused at this stage.
One of the most important aspects of the publishing journey is the size and dimensions of your book.
Many authors consider this a minor detail and regret not researching it.
Think about it: you wrote a great story, but the text is extremely crammed on the page.
The reader’s experience is ruined, and they won’t find your book appealing!
As a result, your months of hard work get wasted!
So if you are about to publish your book and have no idea regarding the standard book sizes and dimensions, no worries! Keep reading to know the importance of these factors.
Table of Contents
Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Size
The book size, or trim size, is the final width and height of the book after the pages are cut. It significantly affects a lot of factors associated with your book.
This is the reason many authors choose to work with professional book publishers.
The table below describes the impact of standard book sizes and dimensions on multiple factors associated with publishing your book.
| Portability | Small sizes for travel holics, heavy books for a sit-down experience. |
| Readability | The wrong size can disrupt the reader’s experience with an uncomfortable view. |
| Genre | Each genre has an industry-specific size, and readers are used to it. |
| Printing | Small trim sizes mean higher printing costs, whereas larger sizes are cost-effective. |
| Distribution | Choosing a standard size ensures that your book properly fits with other books. |
| Designing | Large dimensions mean detailed design, whereas a small book will have concise designs. |
The Book Measurement Terms – What You Need To Know Before Beginning
While the book size is not discussed enough, this is the first thing that gets noticed by your readers! However, as an author, you should be clear regarding a few terms used in the printing industry to elevate the experience for you readers.
| Trim size | The ultimate size of your book after it is trimmed. |
| Dimensions | The height and width which work as the initial measurements for your books |
| Spine thickness | Determines the thickness of your book. |
Popular Book Sizes in Publishing
Depending on the genre, the most popular book sizes in the publishing industry are
| Children’s | 7.5 x 7.5, 7×10, 10×8 |
| Fiction | 6×9, 5.5×8.5 |
| Textbooks | 6×9, 7×10, 8.5×11 |
| Non fiction | 5.5×8.5, 6×9, 7×10 |
| Memoir | 5.25×8, 5.5×8.5 |
| Photography | 8.5’’x11’’ |
Trim size and how it matters?
The term “trim size” might have confused you so far. But trim size is literally just the book size, nothing more complicated!
Your book pages are trimmed by the press; therefore, this term refers to the dimensions of your book.
Pro tip: While working with a printing press Sharjah, you can also consult a professional for choosing the perfect size for your book.
Trim size affects a lot of things for your book. Let’s take a deeper look at how these factors connect and impact your final product.
1. Market expectations
Each genre has a specific size assigned to it. You need to ensure that your book fits into it perfectly.
Just imagine publishing a book that doesn’t look the way people expected; they are definitely not going to give it a try!
For instance, people who read cookbooks are habituated to larger formats such as 8”x10” for better visuals.
2. Reader Usage
While choosing the size of your book, you need to think about your reader. Will they feel good while carrying your book?
A large book may become difficult to handle, while a small one may feel extremely cheap.
Also, the portability factor comes into play. Can the people carry your book easily? Will it look good on the shelves?
3. Page Count And Words
The trim size also significantly affects how many words can fit on a page and the printing costs. With a smaller trim, you need to expect more pages and higher printing costs.
However, a larger print may reduce the number of pages, decreasing the printing costs.
4. Readability
Readability is an important factor in this case as well. Smaller trims mean tighter margins, overstuffing the text and straining the reader’s eyes.
On the other hand, large trim means only a few words per page and ample white space throughout the book.
5. Shelf Impact
The size of your book will significantly impact the space for your cover design. A larger size will allow you to go for more intricate and detailed designs.
Moreover, you also need to keep the standard bookshelf size in mind.
If you are planning to sell your books in a store, they should be displayed properly and fit well with other books.
6. Distribution Logistics
The size of your book is connected to printing costs and distribution as well.
If you plan on having a book with a larger trim, think of the factors associated with it.
Large paper size, precise handling, and increased waste are associated with the process.
Moreover, heavier books may come with more shipping charges as compared to the other ones.
7. Platform Requirements
If you are a self-publishing author, you might face some constraints from platforms as well. For instance, print-on-demand services from reputable platforms, such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, support limited standard book sizes.
8. The Final Price Of Your Book
The decision regarding how much you want to earn and the final profits will significantly affect the price of your book.
Each copy should be printed for a price that brings lucrative outcomes for your author career.
Some Extra Tips You Need To Remember While Setting The Trim Size
Trim size is not something arbitrary. You need to treat it as the foundational brick of your publishing journey.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important points you need to keep in mind.
- You need to decide the trim size before beginning the layout work.
- The margins, typography, and spacing of your book will be decided based on the trim size. A change in trim size could mean redesigning your whole book!!
- A higher word count means a thicker book, which ultimately means a wider spine. So make sure to consider the spine width.
- For image-heavy books, make sure to give more margins and a larger trim size.
- For the POD category, make sure you know the difference between the regular and large trim categories.
- In a retail setting, an abnormal book size might hinder the shelving of your book.
- Always keep bleed and margin rules in your mind.
What size should my paperback book be?
A paperback is a book with a thin cardboard cover. It is light, more portable, and cheaper to produce than hardback books.
These books are more accessible to a wider audience and are a more convenient option for everyday use.
In the US, the most common paper book size is 6″ x 9″.
For smaller word count books, the options are
- 5’’ x 8’’
- 5.25’’ x 8’’
- 5.25’’ x 8.25’’
In European markets, the most common size is 5.8″ x 8.3″
Pro tip: If you are publishing a paperback book for fiction and or non-fiction book, the ideal size is 6″x 9″.
However, if you have a shorter word count, you can consider 5.5″ x 8.5″, or 5″ x 8″.
What size should I design my hardback book?
A hardcover book has a rigid and durable book cover. It is mostly used for premium collections due to their prestigious looks.
The sturdy nature of their covers provides significant protection for your pages. The design considerations for this type are significantly different from paperbacks.
Due to the expensive materials used, the hardback books are a more expensive option.
The size ranges from 6×9 up to 8.5 x 11
Experts recommend sticking to 6″ x 9″ to 6.14″ x 9.21″ for fiction hardbacks.
However, if you choose to go for larger sizes or children’s books, the recommended size is
- 7 x 11
- 8.5 x 11
- And even larger
Always remember to confirm the size and cost of the hardcover covers provided by the printer.
What is the standard fiction book size?
Fiction books are usually said to have their standard sizes set by the reader’s expectations, costs, and tradition.
The most commonly used size for the fiction genre is 6″ x 9″.
It perfectly balances the readability, content, and the costs associated with printing. Moreover, it is said to provide an appropriate line width for setting lines per page without overwhelming the reader.
More benefits include,
- This is a preferred size for the readers
- Align the best with the printing workflows
- Can be easily categorized on the shelves
Other common sizes include,
- 4.25 x 6.87
- 5 x 8
- 5.25x 8
- 5.5x 8.5
What is the standard children’s book size?
Children’s books are something different. While considering their sizes, you don’t only need to think about the word count.
Instead, the visually appealing artwork present in them requires some extra space as well!
Other factors that you need to remember,
- The size and binding of a children’s book should be chosen according to the durability and paper type.
- The landscape size should be considered for the picture books.
- Young children can easily hold small books, and huge ones might be difficult to carry.
The most common children’s book sizes are
7.5 x 7.5
7×10
10 x 8
Print On Demand Options
According to research, print on demand will increase upto $75.3 billion in 2033. Print-on-demand has gained popularity for the ease it offers in the publishing journey.
As a self-publishing author, you can choose to produce a copy of your book only when an order is received!
Here is what you need to remember while availing this service,
- Popular platforms such as Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, and many others offer various trim sizes in their POD services.
- You can also choose interior and cover templates for each trim size.
- The cost of POD services depends on page numbers, ink used, trim size, and the binding.
- You can also choose custom sizes, but they might come with higher costs.
Things To Consider When Using POD
| Trim size chart | Review the size chart of the POD platform you are choosing. |
| Word count | Analyze the minimum and maximum word count limits for each platform. |
| Binding types | Different options may have different sizes and costs. |
| Channels | Each size should be compatible with the multiple distribution channels. |
| Global orders | Analyse the minimum and maximum word count limits for each platform. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Book Sizes
How are the book dimensions measured?
The book dimensions are described as width x height. They are measured as inches in the US and millimetres in Europe.
Should the size of my e-book and print book be the same?
Not necessarily! An e-book shouldn’t have the same print size as your book. But properly designing your e-book ensures that the digital version gets displayed professionally. Consistent formatting choices across both formats will help attract your target readers more easily.
Is it mandatory to consult a professional before choosing a trim size?
It is not necessary. However, having a professional by your side ensures that you get to avoid the chances of costly resizes later. If your book is full of illustrations, has complex layouts, or belongs to a genre with specific formatting requirements, you might need an expert designer.
Final Word
While the numbers mentioned above might look random, the truth is, they are calculated from years of publishing experience, printing conditions, reader expectations, and market trends.
Just remember, the best choice for the standard sizes of your book is the one that fits your book and your reader. Just consider factors such as readability, practicality, and marketability, and you are all set to make the most appropriate decision for your book.