KDP Cover Checker
Check your KDP cover before you upload it. Enter your book details, drop in your cover export, and see the size, DPI and trim, spine and barcode guides drawn on your artwork. Works for KDP paperbacks and hardcovers. For Lulu, use the Lulu cover checker.
What the checker looks at
Proportions. Your cover's width depends on your spine, and your spine depends on page count and paper. If you add or remove pages after designing the cover, the proportions stop matching. The checker also works out which page count your image actually fits.
Resolution. Covers print at 300 DPI. Below that, images and text can look soft in print.
Safe zones. The overlay shows the bleed that gets trimmed off (or the wrap that folds around a hardcover's boards), the spine folds, hardcover hinges, the safe area for text and the barcode area, so you can see what might be cut off or covered.
Specs last checked against KDP's published specs in September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is my cover uploaded anywhere?
No. The checker reads your image inside your browser. The file never leaves your device.
Why does KDP reject my cover?
The most common reasons are a cover that is the wrong width for the page count (the spine changed after you edited the interior), resolution under 300 DPI, missing bleed, or text too close to the trim or spine edges.
Can I check a PDF cover?
This checker reads PNG, JPG and WebP exports. If you designed in Canva or Photoshop, export a PNG at the same size as your PDF and check that.