Popular Book Trim Sizes for Fiction and Nonfiction Self-Published Books
What is the typical trim size for a fiction book / novella / poetry book / nonfiction and narrative nonfiction book / memoir / children’s book / cookbook, art book, or photo book / textbook?
Read below to see the standard book sizes that are both popular and recommended, in inches (in) and millimeters (mm).
You’ll also find links to the available options for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Lulu, Blurb, and BookBaby.
**This post is written for books published by English-language (US, UK, CA, AU, NZ) authors and for books being sold to readers in those countries.
A Book Trim Size Definition
First a trim size definition: The trim size of a book is the dimensions of the book’s pages, width by height, usually measured in inches, centimeters, or millimeters.
A book’s trim size is the width × height of its printed pages, typically measured in inches, millimeters, or centimeters.
The cover dimensions of a hardcover (hardback) book will be slightly larger than the interior pages, whereas a paperback will be the same.
How to find a book’s trim size
Measure across the book cover then measure the cover from top to bottom, and put an x or a multiplication sign (×) between those dimensions. A book’s trim size is generally listed in its metadata, such as in its Amazon “details.”
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What is a good trim size for a self-published book?
For fiction and nonfiction books published in the US, the most popular trim size is 5.5 x 8.5 in (127 x 203 mm) or 6 x 9 in (156 x 234 mm).
I have italicized the most popular book trim sizes.
Fiction book sizes / Trim sizes for fiction books:
4.25 x 7 in (108 × 178 mm), 4.25 x 6.87 in (108 x 175 mm), 4.375 x 7 (111 x 178 mm) [“A-format,” a popular UK size], or anything similar [“Mass Market” paperback]
5 x 8 in (127 × 203 mm)
5.25 x 8 in (133 x 203 mm)
5.5 x 8.5 (140 x 216 mm) [“Digest”]
5.83 x 8.27 in (148 x 210 mm) [A5, a popular UK book trim size]
6 x 9 in (152 x 229 mm) [“US Trade”]
6.14 x 9.21 (156 x 234 mm) [“Royal]
Novella book sizes / Trim size for novellas:
5 x 8 in (127 × 203 mm)
Poetry book sizes / Trim size for poetry:
5.5 x 8.5 in (140 x 216 mm) [“Digest”]
Nonfiction Book Sizes / Trim size for nonfiction books and trim size for narrative nonfiction books:
5.5 x 8.5 in (140 x 216 mm) [“Digest”]
5.83 x 8.27 in (148 x 210 mm) [A5, a popular UK book trim size]
6 x 9 in (152 x 229 mm) [“US Trade”]
6.14 x 9.21 in (156 x 234 mm) [“Royal”]
7 x 10 in (178 x 254 mm) [“Executive”]
Memoirs book sizes / Trim size for memoirs:
5.25 x 8 in (133 x 203 mm)
5.5 x 8.5 in (140 x 216 mm) [“Digest”]
Children’s book sizes / Trim size for children’s books:
Here it’s more a matter of personal taste and what suits the author and the overall design! You may want to pick from the options offered by Lulu and Blurb (see below), but as a starting point, . . .
7 x 10 in (178 x 254 mm) [“Executive”]
8 x 10 (203 x 254 mm) [“Standard Portrait”]
8.25 x 11 in (210 x 280 mm)
8.268 x 11.693 in (a popular UK trim size, 210 × 297 mm) [A4]
10 x 8 in (254 x 203 mm) [“Standard Landscape”]
11 x 8.25 in (280 x 210 mm)
Cookbook sizes / Trim size for cookbooks, art books and picture books, or other designed books:
Again, it’s more a matter of personal taste and what suits the author and the overall design! You may want to pick from the options offered by Lulu and Blurb (see below), but as a starting point, . . .
7 x 10 in (178 x 254 mm) [Executive]
8 x 8 in (203 x 203 mm) [“Small Square”]—or a similar, slightly larger square, like 8.5 x 8.5 in (216 x 216 mm)
8 x 10 (203 x 254 mm) [“Standard Portrait”]
8.25 x 11 (210 x 280 mm)
8.268 x 11.693 (a popular UK trim size, 210 × 297 mm) [A4]
8.5 x 11 (216 × 280 mm) [“US Letter”]
Comic book and graphic novel book sizes / Trim size for comic books and graphic novels:
6.63 × 10.25″ (158 × 260 mm) [Comic Book]
Textbook sizes / Trim size for textbooks:
6 x 9 in (152 x 229 mm) [“US Trade”]
7 x 10 in (178 x 254 mm) [“Executive”]
7.5 x 9.25 in (191 x 235 mm, good for a workbook- or notebook-style project)
8.5 x 11 (216 × 280 mm) [“US Letter”], best suited for a workbook with charts, tables, or diagrams
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Trim Sizes for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Lulu, Blurb, and BookBaby:
If you’re looking for a list of available book sizes for the popular self-publishing platforms, use the links below:
Amazon KDP print book trim sizes (from KDP Publishing Print Options)
IngramSpark book trim sizes (from pages 40–41 of the IngramSpark File Creation Guide)
Or better yet, see my guide to IngramSpark trim sizes
Barnes & Noble Press trim sizes (from Available Trim Sizes and Paper Stock)
Lulu trim sizes (from Lulu Products page)
Blurb trim sizes (from Blurb Pricing Calculator)
BookBaby trim sizes (from Blurb Book Trim Sizes and Binding Options)
Thanks for reading,