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70% royalty option Defined.

Definition

The 70% royalty option is the higher of KDP's two ebook royalty plans. It pays 70% of the list price, less VAT and a delivery cost based on file size, on sales to customers in eligible territories. On Amazon.com the list price must be $2.99 to $12.99, and public-domain works can't use it.

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

How it works

Choosing 70% doesn't mean every sale pays it. Sales to customers outside the eligible territories are paid at 35%, which is why a Bookshelf can show both rates for one book on Amazon.com. Each eligible sale is charged a delivery cost of $0.15 per megabyte on Amazon.com. If Amazon matches a lower price elsewhere, you are paid 70% of the sale price. A book that is mainly public-domain text qualifies only if substantial original material or an original translation is added.

An example

A 2 MB ebook at $4.99 pays $3.28 per Amazon.com sale under the 70% option: $4.99, less $0.30 delivery, times 70%. Under 35% it would pay $1.75. But a 10 MB, image-heavy ebook at $2.99 pays $1.04 under 70% after $1.50 delivery, while 35% would pay it $1.05.

Common mistakes

Assuming 70% always pays more: for large files at low prices the delivery cost can tip it below 35%. Raising the price above $12.99 on Amazon.com, which takes the book out of the band. And choosing 70% for a public-domain edition with no substantial original content, which KDP pays at 35% only.

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Questions, answered plainly.

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KDP says it's expected: the rate for each sale depends on where the buyer is. Sales to customers in the eligible territories are paid at 70%, and sales to customers elsewhere at 35%.

Usually, inside its price band, but not always. A large file at a low price can pay less under 70% once the delivery cost is taken off. The Kindle royalty calculator shows both for your price and file size.

Sources, checked 20 October 2026

Policies, prices and laws change, and this isn’t legal advice. If something here is out of date, tell us.

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