Your cover is the first thing a reader sees. Getting the dimensions right ensures it looks crisp and professional on every platform — from a 6-inch e-ink screen to a desktop reading app.
The Universal Safe Size
If you want one size that works well everywhere:
1,600 × 2,400 px at 72–96 DPI, saved as JPEG (quality 80–90%).
This gives you a 2:3 aspect ratio (portrait), which is the industry standard for book covers.
Amazon Kindle (KDP)
| Spec |
Value |
| Recommended |
2,560 × 1,600 px |
| Minimum |
1,000 px on longest side |
| Aspect ratio |
1.6:1 (landscape) or 1:1.6 (portrait) |
| Format |
JPEG or TIFF |
| Max file size |
50 MB |
Note: KDP's recommended dimensions are unusual — they prioritize the landscape-oriented thumbnail view in the Kindle store. For portrait books, use 1,600 × 2,560 px.
Apple Books
| Spec |
Value |
| Recommended |
1,400 × 2,100 px |
| Minimum |
1,400 × 1,873 px |
| Aspect ratio |
2:3 |
| Format |
JPEG or PNG |
| Max file size |
4 MB |
Kobo Writing Life
| Spec |
Value |
| Recommended |
1,600 × 2,400 px |
| Minimum |
800 × 1,200 px |
| Aspect ratio |
2:3 |
| Format |
JPEG |
| Max file size |
5 MB |
Google Play Books
| Spec |
Value |
| Recommended |
2,500 × 4,000 px |
| Minimum |
500 × 800 px |
| Aspect ratio |
2:3 (preferred) |
| Format |
JPEG or PNG |
Smashwords / Draft2Digital
Both accept standard 1,600 × 2,400 px JPEG covers and will generate thumbnails automatically.
Aspect Ratios Explained
The aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height.
- 2:3 — The standard for most ebook covers. A 1,600 × 2,400 px image has a 2:3 ratio.
- 1:1.6 — Amazon's preferred ratio. Equivalent to 2:3 but specified differently.
- 1:1 — Square covers. Rarely used for books.
To convert your cover to the right ratio, crop it in any image editor: Photoshop, Canva, GIMP, or Affinity Photo.
Color Mode: RGB vs CMYK
Always use RGB for ebook covers. CMYK is for print. JPEG files embedded in EPUBs should always be in RGB mode.
|
JPEG |
PNG |
| Best for |
Photographs, gradients |
Text-heavy, flat art |
| File size |
Smaller |
Larger |
| Transparency |
No |
Yes |
| Quality loss |
Minor (at 80%+) |
None |
For most covers with photographic elements, JPEG at 80–85% quality is the best choice. PNG is only better if you have solid blocks of color or text that should be pixel-perfect.
Embedding Your Cover in EPUBMaker
When converting with EPUBMaker:
- Prepare your cover as JPEG or PNG, 1,600 × 2,400 px
- In the conversion settings, click "Cover Image" and upload your file
- EPUBMaker embeds it as the EPUB cover and sets the correct metadata
- The cover appears in reading apps and ebook store listings
The cover is embedded both as the EPUB's cover-image metadata item and as the first page — satisfying the requirements of all major platforms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too small: Covers under 1,000 px on any dimension will look blurry on retina displays
- Wrong aspect ratio: A landscape cover on a portrait-formatted book looks amateur
- CMYK color mode: Causes color shift or errors in some reading apps
- PNG for photographs: Unnecessarily large file size
- Forgetting to update: When you revise your cover, re-upload and reconvert your EPUB
Quick Reference
| Platform |
Recommended |
Aspect |
Format |
| Safe universal |
1,600 × 2,400 |
2:3 |
JPEG |
| Amazon KDP |
1,600 × 2,560 |
1:1.6 |
JPEG |
| Apple Books |
1,400 × 2,100 |
2:3 |
JPEG |
| Kobo |
1,600 × 2,400 |
2:3 |
JPEG |
| Google Play |
2,500 × 4,000 |
2:3 |
JPEG |
Start with the safe universal size, and you'll cover 95% of all platforms with a single image.