Do You Actually Make Money on Amazon KDP?

Many aspiring authors look at Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) as a way to publish their books and make passive income. With stories of self-published authors making thousands of dollars—or even six figures—it’s easy to wonder, “Do people actually make money on Amazon KDP?” The short answer? Yes, you can make money on Amazon KDP—but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. While some authors earn substantial incomes, many struggle to make consistent sales. Success depends on choosing the right genre, understanding Amazon’s algorithm, pricing strategically, and effectively marketing your book. In this guide, we’ll break down how much money authors make on Amazon KDP, how royalties work, what influences book sales, and realistic strategies to increase your earnings.

How Does Amazon KDP Work?

Amazon KDP is Amazon’s self-publishing platform, allowing authors to publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers without upfront costs. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors get an advance and lower royalties, KDP lets authors retain full rights to their books and earn higher royalties per sale. Authors can sell their books worldwide on Amazon.com and other Amazon marketplaces, reaching millions of potential readers. Books can be listed on Kindle Unlimited (KU), Kindle eBook Store, and Amazon’s print-on-demand service (for paperbacks and hardcovers). Amazon KDP is free to use, but making money requires a strategy—you won’t earn by just uploading a book and hoping people find it.

How Much Money Can You Make on Amazon KDP?

Earnings on Amazon KDP vary dramatically. Some authors make nothing or just a few dollars, while others make thousands per month or even six figures a year. The factors that influence your earnings include your book’s genre, quality, marketing efforts, pricing strategy, and publishing frequency. Certain genres, like romance, mystery/thriller, and self-help, tend to perform well because they have a dedicated audience of readers who buy frequently.

A professionally edited, well-formatted book with a high-quality cover has a higher chance of attracting buyers. Meanwhile, strong marketing—whether through Amazon ads, social media, or email lists—plays a major role in getting your book noticed. Pricing also impacts earnings, with eBooks in the $2.99-$4.99 range performing best in fiction and $4.99-$9.99 working well for nonfiction. Publishing multiple books is another key factor. Authors who release several books, particularly in a series, tend to earn more because readers who enjoy one book are more likely to purchase others. Some authors treat KDP as a side hustle at first, gradually increasing their earnings as they publish more books and build a loyal readership.

How Do KDP Royalties Work?

Amazon KDP authors earn money through royalties, which are a percentage of each book’s sale price. Your earnings depend on your book’s format and whether it’s sold through Kindle Unlimited (KU) or as a standard purchase. For Kindle eBooks, authors choose between two royalty options: 35% royalties for books priced between $0.99 and $2.98 or above $9.99, and 70% royalties for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99. This means that if an author sells an eBook for $4.99 at a 70% royalty rate, they earn $3.49 per book after Amazon’s cut. If they sell 1,000 copies, they make $3,490.

For paperback books, Amazon takes out printing costs before calculating royalties. Authors typically earn 40%-60% of the retail price after these deductions. A $14.99 paperback might bring in $5-$7 per sale, depending on printing fees.

Books enrolled in Kindle Unlimited (KU) generate earnings based on page reads instead of book sales. Readers who borrow a book through KU don’t pay for the book upfront, but the author gets paid based on how many pages are read. Amazon pays authors from the KDP Select Global Fund, with an average payout of $0.004 - $0.005 per page read. For example, if a 300-page book gets 1,000 full reads, the author earns $1,200 - $1,500. For some authors, KU page reads make up more income than direct eBook sales.

What Influences How Much You Make on KDP?

Making money on KDP isn’t just about writing a book and publishing it—it’s about understanding how Amazon works and optimizing your book for success. Certain genres perform better than others, and writing in the right genre can significantly impact earnings. Some of the most profitable genres include romance, mystery & thriller, science fiction & fantasy, self-help, and young adult (YA). These genres have large, dedicated reader bases, making it easier to generate sales. Book presentation is equally important. A high-quality cover is the first thing readers notice, and if it looks unprofessional or doesn’t fit the genre, potential buyers may skip over it. Your title should be clear, compelling, and keyword-rich to improve searchability. Pricing also matters—most fiction eBooks sell best at $2.99 - $4.99, while nonfiction books tend to succeed at $4.99 - $9.99.

Marketing plays a crucial role in book sales. Many successful KDP authors use Amazon Ads (AMS) to boost visibility, run discount promotions to attract new readers, and leverage social media and email lists to engage with their audience. Without marketing, even the best-written book may struggle to get noticed. Publishing multiple books is one of the best ways to maximize earnings. Authors who release books in a series or multiple standalone books tend to make more money, as readers who enjoy one book are likely to buy more from the same author. Building a long-term author brand and engaging with your audience can turn casual readers into loyal fans who buy every book you release.

Final Thoughts: Do You Actually Make Money on Amazon KDP?

Yes, you can absolutely make money on Amazon KDP—but it requires strategy, patience, and consistent effort. Some authors make a few hundred dollars, while others make thousands per month. Success depends on writing in the right genre, optimizing your book for Amazon’s marketplace, pricing strategically, and marketing effectively. The biggest mistake new authors make is publishing one book and expecting overnight success. The authors who make serious money on KDP treat writing like a business, publish multiple books, and focus on long-term sales growth. If you’re committed to the process, Amazon KDP can be a great way to build a sustainable writing income. So, do you actually make money on KDP? Yes—but only if you’re willing to put in the work.