Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines How to make books available for Kindle devices and applications version 2019.2 This document describes the primary ways publishers, authors, and conversion houses can make their content available for Amazon Kindle devices and applications. This document includes guidelines and suggestions to ensure a smooth conversion and publication process. Copyright © 2019 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Publishing on Kindle: Guidelines for Publishers Revision History Revision Revision Notes Number Updated the following sections to add accessibility guidelines: 2019.2 o 2.1.1 Kindle Create o 3 Comparing Formats o 6.1 Constructing Well-Formed HTML Documents (XHTML) o 7.2 External Link Guidelines o 8 Accessibility Guidelines o 9 QA Standards o 9.1 Testing Kindle Books o 10.3.8 Using Embedded Fonts o 10.4.1 Use Supported Input Formats o 10.4.7 Image and Font Size Requirements for Line-Art and Text o 10.4.11 Use Supported SVG Tags and Elements o 10.5.1 Avoid Large Tables o 10.5.2 Create Simple HTML Tables o 10.5.4 Table Features with Enhanced Typesetting o 11.3.2 Including Specific Fonts Added 2.4 Markdown Authoring Tools. Updated 4.1 Marketing Cover Image Is Mandatory and 4.2 Internal Content Cover Image Is Mandatory to clarify that they don't apply to KDP. Updated 5.2 NCX Guidelines to specify that Kindle devices and applications support two levels of nesting. Updated 7.2 External Link Guidelines to recommend archiving links. Added 11.3.1 Minimum Text Size. Updated 12.6 Text Guidelines to specify minimum text size in graphic novels. Updated 13.2 Text Guidelines to specify minimum text size in fixed-layout books without pop-ups. Updated 17.1 Supported Attributes to change background-size entry. Updated 5.1, HTML TOC Guidelines, to add lists of maps and illustrations. 2019.1 Updated 5.3, Guide Items, to clarify that the start reading location is defined by Amazon. Updated 9.3.2, Body Text Must Use Defaults, to update the color converter link. Updated 9.3.7, Use CSS for Page Breaks, to clarify requirements. Updated 9.4.2, Image Size and Quality Standards, to remove chart. Updated 13.7.2, Adding Video, to clarify need for poster tag. Updated 15.5, Supported Languages, to update language list. Kindle Publishing Guidelines Amazon.com 2 Publishing on Kindle: Guidelines for Publishers Table of Contents PART I. GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................... 8 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 2 Paths to Getting Your Content on Kindle................................................................................................... 8 Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing Platform ................................................................................................ 8 2.1.1 Kindle Create ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Creating Kindle Books In-House Using Kindle Publisher Tools ................................................................ 9 2.2.1 KindleGen................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Kindle Previewer ....................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.3 Kindle Comic Creator ............................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.4 Kindle Kids' Book Creator ...................................................................................................................... 10 Third-Party Conversion Services ................................................................................................................. 10 Markdown Authoring Tools ........................................................................................................................... 10 3 Comparing Formats ..................................................................................................................................... 11 PART II. GENERAL BEST PRACTICES............................................................................... 14 4 Cover Image Guidelines .............................................................................................................................. 14 Marketing Cover Image Is Mandatory ......................................................................................................... 14 Internal Content Cover Image Is Mandatory .............................................................................................. 14 5 Navigation Guidelines ................................................................................................................................. 15 HTML TOC Guidelines .................................................................................................................................. 15 5.1.1 Using a Nested HTML TOC ................................................................................................................... 16 NCX Guidelines .............................................................................................................................................. 17 5.2.1 Creating a Logical TOC Using a toc nav Element .......................................................................... 17 5.2.2 Creating a Logical TOC Using NCX ..................................................................................................... 18 Guide Items ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 5.3.1 Defining Cover and TOC ........................................................................................................................ 19 6 HTML and CSS Guidelines.......................................................................................................................... 20 Constructing Well-Formed HTML Documents (XHTML) .......................................................................... 20 Avoid Using Negative Values ....................................................................................................................... 20 Avoid Using Scripting ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Avoid Nested <p> Tags ................................................................................................................................. 20 File References Must Match Case and Spelling of Source ...................................................................... 21 Other Encodings Are Supported .................................................................................................................. 21 Use Supported Characters and Spaces ..................................................................................................... 21 Design for a Good eBook Experience ......................................................................................................... 21 7 Hyperlink Guidelines ................................................................................................................................... 22 Internal Link Guidelines ................................................................................................................................. 22 Kindle Publishing Guidelines Amazon.com 3 Publishing on Kindle: Guidelines for Publishers External Link Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 22 8 Accessibility Guidelines.............................................................................................................................. 23 9 QA Standards ................................................................................................................................................ 23 Testing Kindle Books ..................................................................................................................................... 24 PART III. GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF EBOOKS ........................................ 26 10 Creating Text-Heavy Fiction and Non-Fiction eBooks (Reflowable) ................................................. 26 Metadata Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 26 Layout Guidelines ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Text Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................. 26 10.3.1 Specify Heading Alignment and Justification .................................................................................... 26 10.3.2 Body Text Must Use Defaults ............................................................................................................. 26 10.3.3 Formatting Paragraphs ........................................................................................................................ 28