Updated April 2026
Pick a genre to see recommended sizes, or click any book below to see details. All dimensions in inches and millimeters.
| Size | Inches | Millimeters | Best For | Words/Page (11pt) |
|---|
Larger trim sizes fit more words per page. For a 60,000-word manuscript, that can reduce the page count, print cost, and breakeven price.
| Trim Size | Typical Page Count | Print Cost | Royalty at $16.99 |
|---|
Trim size affects everything: how your book feels in the reader's hand, how many pages it runs, what it costs to print, and how it sits on a shelf. The wrong size signals "this author didn't do their homework" to experienced readers.
If you're unsure, go with 6" × 9". It works for nearly every genre, fits about 325 words per page at 11pt, and keeps printing costs reasonable. The majority of self-published books use this size for good reason — it's the sweet spot between readability, cost, and shelf presence.
5.5" × 8.5" and 5" × 8" feel more intimate. They're better for fiction, poetry, and memoir — genres where the reading experience is personal. Smaller trim sizes also make shorter books (under 50,000 words) feel more substantial. A 30,000-word book in 6" × 9" looks thin. The same book in 5" × 8" looks respectable.
7" × 10" and 8.5" × 11" are for books with figures, tables, or two-column layouts. Textbooks, cookbooks, art books, and technical manuals benefit from the extra real estate. Don't use large formats for straight prose — it looks like a manuscript, not a book.
Estimate your page count at any trim size with our word count to pages calculator. For pricing your finished book, see the pricing guide.
You picked a trim size. Books.by handles the rest: spine width calculation, cover template generation, ISBN, print-on-demand, and a direct-sales bookstore.
Books.by supports every standard trim size from 5×8 mass market through 8.5×11 workbook. Upload your manuscript and the system calculates your exact spine width based on page count and paper stock, then generates a cover template that fits perfectly. No more guessing whether your designer's PDF will fit Ingram's print specs.
One flat $99/yr fee covers the storefront at books.by/yourname, free ISBN registration, daily Stripe payouts, and email capture on every sale. The trim size you just picked is the easy part — selling direct to readers is what pays.
Upload your manuscript with the trim size you chose. Books.by calculates spine width, generates a cover template, and gives you a live store at books.by/yourname.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →After you choose a trim size, Books.by handles the practical publishing work: exact spine width, print-on-demand fulfilment, proof copies, free ISBNs, and a storefront ready for readers.
100-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
Upload your PDF to Books.by and we'll calculate exact page count, spine width, and per-unit print cost for your trim size. Then publish through your own store and keep the direct-sale margin.
Free ISBNs · Proofs ship in 3–5 days · 100-day money-back guarantee
