Book Pricing Calculator
A recommended price range for your book
Price is a positioning signal as much as a number. Too low and readers assume the book is thin, too high and impulse buyers walk away. The right range depends on format and genre, and for paperbacks it is anchored by your printing cost. This tool gives you a sensible starting range.
What is the best price for a self-published ebook?
For most fiction the reliable range is $2.99 to $5.99, which stays inside Amazon's 70% royalty band while remaining an easy purchase. Non-fiction and how-to books support $6.99 to $9.99 because readers judge them on the problem solved, not the length.
How should I price my first book?
Debut authors often start at the lower end of their genre range to reduce the risk for a reader who does not know them yet. $2.99 to $3.99 is common for a first novel. You can raise the price later once reviews and rankings build trust.
Why can't I price my paperback low?
Print-on-demand deducts the printing cost before your royalty, so your list price must be high enough to cover it within the 60% structure. That is why a 300-page paperback rarely works below about $8. The calculator uses that floor for paperback estimates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best price for a self-published book?
Fiction ebooks convert best at $2.99 to $5.99; non-fiction supports $6.99 to $9.99. Paperbacks are anchored by printing cost, usually $8 and up.
Should my first book be cheaper?
Often, yes. Starting at the lower end of your genre range lowers the risk for readers who do not know you, and you can raise it once you have reviews.
Does a higher price mean fewer sales?
Not always. Within a genre's normal band, price has a smaller effect than cover and description. Outside the band, it hurts.
Can I change my price after launch?
Yes, at any time. Testing two or three prices is one of the cheapest experiments you can run.