Spine Width Calculator

Use this tool to calculate the precise dimensions of your cover's spine. Accurate spine width is needed for setting up your book's cover file.

  1. Enter the total number of pages of your book into the Page field
  2. Select either hardcover or softcover binding style
  3. Select the text paper stock you intend to use for your book
  4. Once calculated, your spine width will appear in the appropriate field below.

Please review our cover PDF checklist for complete instructions for how to setup your cover PDF for printing.

Spine Width Calculator

Book Spine Design Instructions

Your book's spine text should read from top to bottom. For example, if your book has both a main title and subtitle, the main title should appear at the top of the spine. Common spine elements to add after the book title include author name, publisher name or publisher logo.

Text should be centered horizontally along the width of the spine and have a minimum gap of 1/16 inches between it and the edges of the spine. This gap prevents your spine content from accidentally appearing on the front or back of your cover. Books with a spine width of 0.15 inches or less do not usually have text on them for this reason.

book spine with calculator

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