Book formatting standards
Choose a page size for your book by genre
Fiction
- 4.25” x 6.87” (pocket book)
- 5” x 8”
- 5.25” x 8”
- 5.5” x 8.5”
- 6” x 9”
Important notices:
The 5.5” x 8.5” digest format is the smallest of the “trade” sizes in the United States.
The more common 6” x 9” is the “U.S. Trade” size and a great pick for any type of fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, romance, science fiction, horror, adventure, or crime and mystery.
It is recommended to check the most commonly used book size within these standards for your book's category.
Non-fiction
- 5.5” x 8.5”
- 6” x 9”
- 7” x 10”
Important notices:
- These sizes are standard for non-fiction, including memoirs, biographies, historical writings, textbooks, and more.
Hardcover
- Ranges in size anywhere from 6” x 9” to 8.5” x 11”
Important notices:
- Hardcovers are a great choice for premium fiction and non-fiction books, as their weight and classic look give them more cache.
Novella
- 5” x 8”
Important notices:
- This size works well for the compact mini-novels with a word count between 15,000-40,000 words.
Memoir
- 5.25” x 8”
- 5.5” x 8.5”
Textbooks
- 6” x 9”
- 7” x 10”
- 8.5” x 11”
Important notices:
- These sizes are pretty standard for textbooks and they are generally hardcover to withstand wear and tear.
Children’s books
- 7.5” x 7.5”
- 7” x 10”
- 10” x 8”
Important notices:
- These are the standard sizes for children's books, which usually have a uniform page count.
- The larger format allows for beautiful spreads that showcase the illustrations and the books are made to be shared.
Photography (Art Books or Coffee Table Books)
- Ranges in size up to 8.5” x 11” or larger
Important notices:
- You have a wide berth for these books, which are meant to display art history, illustrations, photos, or classic artwork.
- They generally don't need to fit on a shelf and can be sized accordingly to best display the content.