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KDP Expanded Distribution vs IngramSpark Calculator

On non-Amazon channels — libraries, indie bookstores, college bookstores — you have two options: KDP Expanded Distribution (40% royalty) or IngramSpark (wholesale at 40–55%). This calculator strips out the Amazon-direct sales and compares only the channels where the two platforms actually compete. It's the most useful view for deciding whether to opt out of KDP-ED.

Who this calculator helps

  • Authors deciding whether to disable KDP Expanded Distribution.
  • Authors choosing between IngramSpark Standard and IngramSpark Premium discount tiers.
  • Hybrid publishers modelling the trade-channel side of a release.
  • Series planners forecasting library sell-in.

55% required for most bookstores

Print cost

$4.21

KDP-ED / copy

$2.59

40% × list − print

Moderate Profit Potential

IngramSpark / copy

$3.44

(list × (1−d)) − print

Moderate Profit Potential

Per-copy difference

-$0.85

Positive = KDP-ED earns more

Monthly royalty — non-Amazon channels only

  • KDP Expanded Distribution (40%)$155.16
  • IngramSpark (55% discount)$206.13
IngramSpark earns $50.97 more per month at these inputs.

Amazon-direct sales are not included — both options earn the same on Amazon-direct (KDP 60% vs IS at your IS discount). This view compares only what happens on libraries, bookstores, and other non-Amazon retail.

All calculations are estimates based on average platform fees. Real profits may vary depending on category, ads, and shipping.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your numbers in each field above — the calculator updates instantly as you type, so there's nothing to submit.
  2. Use your real figures when you have them, or sensible estimates while you're planning. If a field doesn't apply, leave it at zero.
  3. Compare the results, then change one input at a time to see how each lever (price, cost, fees, volume) moves the outcome.

When to use this calculator

  • Before opting out of KDP Expanded Distribution.
  • When uploading a new title to IngramSpark for the first time.
  • When IngramSpark royalties feel low relative to KDP and you want to confirm the trade-off is worth it.

Formula

KDP-ED royalty/copy = (List × 40%) − Print cost · IngramSpark royalty/copy = (List × (1 − Discount %)) − Print cost

Worked example

$16.99 paperback, 280 pages B&W, ~$4.20 print, IS at 55% discount, 60 non-Amazon copies/month.

  1. KDP-ED per copy = (16.99 × 0.40) − 4.20 = 6.796 − 4.20 = $2.60
  2. IS per copy = (16.99 × 0.45) − 4.20 = 7.65 − 4.20 = $3.45
  3. KDP-ED monthly = 2.60 × 60 = $156
  4. IS monthly = 3.45 × 60 = $207

Answer: IngramSpark wins by $51/month on this title.

More worked examples

Same paperback at a 40% IS discount (online-only) instead of 55%.

  1. KDP-ED per copy = $2.60 (unchanged)
  2. IS per copy = (16.99 × 0.60) − 4.20 = 10.194 − 4.20 = $5.99

Answer: IS wins by $3.39/copy — but at 40% no bookstore will stock the title.

How it works

KDP Expanded Distribution is convenient — one platform, one upload — but it pays a flat 40% royalty on every non-Amazon sale. IngramSpark is the wholesaler bookstores actually order from, and at a 55% discount it usually pays slightly more per copy on the same channel.

The other reason serious authors prefer IngramSpark for non-Amazon distribution: KDP-ED books rarely show up in Ingram's catalog, which means most bookstores can't easily order them anyway. The royalty math is the floor; the distribution reach is the ceiling.

Expert tips

  • Always model both IS at 40% and IS at 55% — they target different channels.
  • If you want bookstores, you must use IS at 55% with returns enabled. KDP-ED can't deliver that reach at all.
  • Disable KDP-ED only after your IS title is live and the metadata matches.
  • On low-volume non-Amazon channels, the cost of managing two uploads can exceed the royalty difference — keep KDP-ED if total non-Amazon sales are under ~10/month.

How to interpret your results

  • Dollar values are shown per sale, per order, or per item unless a result is explicitly labelled monthly, weekly, or daily.
  • Percentages (margin, ROI, conversion rate) are easier to compare across products and price points than raw dollars — use them when you benchmark.
  • A positive result means you're ahead after the costs and fees you entered. A negative result means the current numbers don't work — change a lever (raise price, cut a cost, lower ad spend) and recalculate.
  • Treat the output as a planning estimate, not a guarantee. Fees, taxes, and conversion rates shift over time — re-run the numbers whenever a key input changes.

Limitations

  • Doesn't include the ~$49 IngramSpark setup fee per title.
  • Print cost is an estimate based on IngramSpark rates.
  • Doesn't model the time cost of managing two distribution channels.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving KDP-ED on while also listing on IngramSpark — this creates duplicate listings and Amazon may favor the wrong one.
  • Assuming KDP-ED reaches bookstores meaningfully (it doesn't, at scale).
  • Choosing IS at 40% to maximize per-copy royalty, then wondering why no store will stock the book.

Related Guides

Go deeper with plain-English guides on the same topic.

FAQ

Will Amazon stop selling my book if I disable KDP-ED?
No — KDP-ED only governs non-Amazon channels. Your Amazon listing is unaffected.
Why does IngramSpark pay more on the same library sale?
Libraries order from Ingram's catalog directly. With IS at 55%, the publisher revenue (45% of list) is higher than KDP-ED's flat 40%. The 5-point gap shows up as per-copy royalty after print cost.
Do I need both platforms?
Most authors do — KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark for everywhere else. KDP-ED is the option you can safely turn off.

Why trust this calculator?

This tool uses standard mathematical formulas and commonly accepted calculation methods, shown openly in the Formula section above so you can verify the math yourself. Results are estimates based on the information you enter and do not account for every individual circumstance. For important financial, tax, legal, medical, or business decisions, please double-check with a qualified professional before acting on the numbers.

Keep going

One calculator rarely tells the full story. Pair this one with a related tool below to pressure-test your numbers from a different angle, or browse Work & Money Calculators for more in the same category.

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