KDP eBook formatting checklist

Updated 2026-07-15

Work through this before uploading your manuscript to Amazon KDP. Your progress is saved locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded. If you want to automate most of the cleanup, run the file through our free Kindle eBook Formatter first and use this checklist to verify the result.

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File preparation

Save the manuscript as a modern .docx fileKDP accepts DOCX. Older .doc files should be re-saved as .docx from Word before upload.
Remove or flatten any embedded images you don’t needText-heavy books convert most reliably. If you have essential images, position them on their own paragraph.

Cleanup

Strip all tab characters from body textTabs don’t reflow. Replace them with paragraph-level first-line indents instead.
Collapse double or triple spaces to a single spaceUse Find & Replace: replace two spaces with one, then run it again until nothing is left.
Remove runs of three or more blank paragraphsKindle already adds spacing between paragraphs. Extra blanks create awkward gaps on smaller devices.
Delete manual page numbers, headers, and footersReflowable Kindle books don’t use printed page numbers — the reader controls font size.

Structure

Apply Heading 1 to every chapter titleAmazon uses Heading 1 markers to build the navigable table of contents automatically.
Use consistent heading levels across the bookDon’t mix Heading 1 and centered bold paragraphs for different chapters. Pick one and stick to it.
Insert a page break before each chapterCtrl/Cmd + Enter. Do not use blank paragraphs to push the chapter down the page.
Set a first-line indent of 0.2–0.3 inch on body paragraphsSet it via Paragraph settings, not with the Tab key.
Leave the first paragraph after each chapter title flush leftStandard book typography — the first paragraph of a chapter is not indented.
Normalize scene breaks to one consistent styleCentered * * * or an ornament, on its own paragraph. Not a row of dashes typed by hand.

Front matter

Decide whether you want a visible Contents pageNot required — Kindle auto-builds a navigable TOC from Heading 1. Add a visible one only if it fits the book.
Include a simple title page with title, subtitle, and authorCentered, on its own page (page break after).
Include a copyright page‘Copyright © YEAR AUTHOR. All rights reserved.’ A single centered paragraph is fine.
Add a dedication if you want oneOptional. One or two centered lines on their own page.

Back matter

Consider an ‘About the Author’ pageA short paragraph plus your website is enough. Optional.
Verify any hyperlinks workBroken external links are a common review flag on KDP.

Preview

Open the final DOCX and skim it end-to-endLook for surprise blank pages, missing chapters, and odd spacing.
Run the file through Kindle PreviewerThe only accurate way to see the final render on real Kindle devices and apps.
Confirm the Contents menu jumps to every chapterOpen the ‘Go to’ menu in Previewer and click each entry.

KDP metadata

Match the KDP title and author to the manuscript exactlyDifferent spellings or extra words cause reader confusion and review flags.
Pick categories and keywords in KDPThis is a separate step in the KDP dashboard, not part of the manuscript.

Free Kindle eBook Formatter — automates the cleanup and structure items.
How to format a Word document for Kindle — the full workflow.
Fix Kindle formatting problems — what to do when the preview looks wrong.

This is an independent checklist. VibeCodeCopy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon, Kindle, or Kindle Direct Publishing.