---
title: "KDP's 35% Royalty Option, Explained"
description: "When KDP's 35% ebook royalty applies, the prices it allows on Amazon.com, why it has no delivery cost, and when it pays more than the 70% option."
url: "https://www.superebook.ai/glossary/35-percent-royalty-option"
updated: "2026-10-20"
---

# 35% royalty option

**Definition.** The 35% royalty option is the lower of KDP's two ebook royalty plans: it pays 35% of the list price, less VAT, with no delivery cost deducted. It accepts prices the 70% option doesn't, from $0.99 for small files up to $200.00 on Amazon.com, and it is the only option for public-domain books.

Sources checked October 20, 2026. Figures: KDP's Amazon.com ebook royalty, list-price and delivery figures, as of October 11, 2026.

## How it works

Under 35%, the royalty is simply the rate times the list price without VAT. Its Amazon.com minimum depends on the file size: $0.99 under 3 MB, $1.99 up to 10 MB and $2.99 beyond. Even a book on the 70% option is paid at 35% on sales to customers outside the 70% territories, so the option matters to every Kindle author whichever one they choose.

## An example

A 1 MB ebook listed at $14.99 is above the 70% band, so it is paid $5.25 per Amazon.com sale at 35%. Dropping the price to $12.99 brings it back into the band, where it pays $8.99: a lower price, and a higher royalty. A short guide at $0.99 can only use 35% and pays $0.35.

## Common mistakes

Pricing just above $12.99 without noticing that the rate falls to 35%. Leaving a book on 35% out of caution when its price and file size would pay more under 70%. And assuming $0.99 is always allowed: a file of 3 MB or more must be priced higher.

## Questions

**When does the 35% option pay more than 70%?** Outside the 70% band it is the only option, and inside the band it can win for large files at low prices, where the 70% delivery cost takes a big share. Compare both for your own price and file size.

**Are public-domain books stuck at 35%?** Yes, unless you add substantial original content or an original translation so the book is no longer primarily public domain. Then it can qualify for 70%.

## Sources

- [KDP: eBook Royalties](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200644210): The 35% calculation with VAT removed, 35% outside the 70% territories, and public-domain works limited to 35%.
- [KDP: eBook List Price Requirements](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200634560): The 35% option's minimum list prices by file size and its maximum on Amazon.com.
- [KDP: eBook Pricing Page](https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200634500): No delivery cost deducted under the 35% option.

## Related terms

- [70% royalty option](https://www.superebook.ai/glossary/70-percent-royalty-option.md)
- [List price](https://www.superebook.ai/glossary/list-price.md)
- [Delivery cost](https://www.superebook.ai/glossary/delivery-cost.md)
- [Public domain](https://www.superebook.ai/glossary/public-domain.md)

## Read next

- [Kindle royalty calculator](https://www.superebook.ai/tools/kindle-royalty-calculator.md)
- [Ebook pricing: how to reason about the price](https://www.superebook.ai/guides/ebook-pricing-strategy.md)
- [All glossary terms](https://www.superebook.ai/glossary.md)