US book trim sizes in inches and cm
In the US, book sizes are given in inches and called trim sizes. The most common is 6 × 9 inches (15.24 × 22.86 cm) for non-fiction and trade paperback novels. Mass-market paperbacks measure 4.25 × 6.87 inches.
Contents of this page
The common trim sizes
| Name | Inches | cm | Typical for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass market paperback | 4.25 × 6.87 | 10.8 × 17.5 | cheap paperbacks, thrillers |
| 5 × 8 | 5 × 8 | 12.7 × 20.3 | novels, poetry |
| 5.25 × 8 | 5.25 × 8 | 13.3 × 20.3 | novels |
| Digest | 5.5 × 8.5 | 14 × 21.6 | novels, self-help |
| US Trade | 6 × 9 | 15.2 × 22.9 | non-fiction, novels, biography |
| 7 × 10 | 7 × 10 | 17.8 × 25.4 | textbooks, manuals |
| 8 × 10 | 8 × 10 | 20.3 × 25.4 | children’s books, photo books |
| 8.5 × 11 | 8.5 × 11 | 21.6 × 27.9 | workbooks, course manuals (Letter size) |
Digest is exactly half a Letter sheet, also known as Half Letter. Just as A5 is half of A4, 5.5 × 8.5 inches is half of 8.5 × 11 inches.
What self-publishers need to know
If you publish through platforms such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, you choose the size from a fixed list of trim sizes. For books with images that run off the page, these services usually ask for 0.125 inches of bleed, which is 3.2 mm. That is very close to the 3 mm European printers ask for, but not identical. If you start from a European template, adjust the bleed.
A European book at 135 × 215 mm cannot be moved to a US size without changes. The nearest is Digest at 140 × 216 mm. For an international edition, plan from the start for a size that is available in both markets.
US trim sizes and ISO sizes compared
6 × 9 inches sits between A5 and B5. 8.5 × 11 inches is Letter, a little wider and shorter than A4. For your own conversions, use the inches to cm converter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common book size in the US?
6 × 9 inches, which is 15.24 × 22.86 cm, known as US Trade.
How big is a mass market paperback?
4.25 × 6.87 inches, about 10.8 × 17.5 cm.
How much bleed does Amazon KDP need?
0.125 inches, about 3.2 mm, for books with images that run off the page.
Which US trim size is closest to A5?
Digest, also called Half Letter, at 5.5 × 8.5 inches (14 × 21.6 cm).