What is the KDP bleed size for 8.5×11?

With bleed enabled, an 8.5" × 11" interior PDF must be 8.625" × 11.25": add 0.125" to the width (outside edge only) and 0.25" to the height (0.125" top and bottom). Without bleed, upload at exactly 8.5" × 11".

Why is my bleed PDF larger than the trim size?

During printing KDP cuts 0.125" from the top, bottom and outside edges of each page. Artwork that should reach the page edge must extend past that cut line, so the PDF you upload is slightly larger than the finished (trim) size.

Does bleed apply to the gutter edge?

No. The gutter (binding) edge is never trimmed, so bleed is only added to the top, bottom and outside edges. That is why the width grows by 0.125" but the height grows by 0.25".

Is print bleed the same as ink bleed-through?

No — they are unrelated. Print bleed is a manufacturing allowance for edge-to-edge printing. Bleed-through is when marker ink soaks through the paper; that depends on paper and markers, not on this setting.

KDP Bleed Size Calculator

Pick your trim size and find the exact interior PDF page size KDP expects — with or without bleed — plus which edges the bleed goes on.

Trim size

Bleed

Bleed (art reaches the page edge) No bleed

inches mm

Required PDF page size with bleed

8.625" (219.07 mm) × 11.25" (285.75 mm)

Bleed extends past the trim line on the top, bottom and outside edges by 0.125" each. The gutter (binding) edge gets no bleed — do not add it to both horizontal sides.

Data source: spec version kdp-spec-2026-08, last verified against the official KDP help pages on 2026-08-25.

KDP: Set Trim Size, Bleed, and Margins

KDP can change its specifications at any time — always confirm against the official pages before uploading. This tool gives print-spec math only; it does not guarantee KDP acceptance. All calculations run in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or stored.

How the KDP bleed size calculator works

When printing, KDP trims 0.125" (3.2 mm) from the top, bottom and outside edges of every page. If your coloring pages should reach the page edge, the PDF must be exported larger than the trim size so there is artwork to cut through:

PDF width = trim width + 0.125" (outside edge only — never the gutter)
PDF height = trim height + 0.25" (0.125" top + 0.125" bottom)

Remember to also select "Bleed (PDF)" in KDP's print options when you upload — a bleed-sized PDF with the no-bleed setting (or the reverse) is the most common mechanical rejection.

Worked example: 8.5" × 11" coloring book

Trim 8.5" × 11" with bleed: width 8.5 + 0.125 = 8.625", height 11 + 0.25 = 11.25". Export the interior PDF at 8.625" × 11.25" (219.08 × 285.75 mm) and choose the bleed option in KDP. Without bleed, export at exactly 8.5" × 11".

Common mistakes

Selecting bleed in KDP but uploading a trim-size PDF. The setting and the physical PDF size must match — this mismatch is the leading rejection pattern.
Adding bleed to both horizontal sides. Only the outside edge gets bleed; the gutter edge is bound, not trimmed.
Leaving important artwork inside the bleed strip. Everything within 0.125" of the final page edge is cut off — keep line art you care about inside the safe margins.
Confusing print bleed with marker bleed-through. They share a word, nothing else.

Frequently asked questions

What is the KDP bleed size for 8.5×11?: With bleed enabled, an 8.5" × 11" interior PDF must be 8.625" × 11.25": add 0.125" to the width (outside edge only) and 0.25" to the height (0.125" top and bottom). Without bleed, upload at exactly 8.5" × 11".
Why is my bleed PDF larger than the trim size?: During printing KDP cuts 0.125" from the top, bottom and outside edges of each page. Artwork that should reach the page edge must extend past that cut line, so the PDF you upload is slightly larger than the finished (trim) size.
Does bleed apply to the gutter edge?: No. The gutter (binding) edge is never trimmed, so bleed is only added to the top, bottom and outside edges. That is why the width grows by 0.125" but the height grows by 0.25".
Is print bleed the same as ink bleed-through?: No — they are unrelated. Print bleed is a manufacturing allowance for edge-to-edge printing. Bleed-through is when marker ink soaks through the paper; that depends on paper and markers, not on this setting.