Correct KDP bleed math for a 6×9 paperback is 6.125" wide × 9.25" high—not the affiliate shortcut 6.125×9.125. Amazon Help states that when a book has bleed you add 0.125" (3.2 mm) to the width and 0.25" (6.4 mm) to the height. For a 6" × 9" trim, that produces a manuscript page of 6.125" × 9.25". Templates that only bump height by 0.125" leave the file short and can fail upload checks or print with unexpected trim.
Amazon’s formula vs the wrong template
| Source | Width | Height | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Help (6×9 with bleed) | 6.125" | 9.25" | Correct |
| Common affiliate export | 6.125" | 9.125" | Short 0.125" on height |
| 6×9 without bleed | 6.0" | 9.0" | Correct only if no edge-to-edge art |
Full formatting context—including margins and gutters—is in our KDP formatting guide.
Fix workflow for journal templates
- Measure the PDF page box: open the interior and confirm MediaBox equals 6.125×9.25 when bleed is on.
- Reject 9.125 height: rebuild or re-export any Canva/template file stuck on the affiliate size.
- Extend background fills: lined or patterned backgrounds must reach the full bleed rectangle, not stop at trim.
- Keep live text inside margins: with bleed, outer margins are at least 0.375"; increase the inside gutter by page count.
- Validate before upload: run dimensions through our trim size checker, then inspect Print Previewer.
When journals still fail after “correct” bleed
- Lined pages that hug the outer edge can trip live-element / insufficient-bleed Human Review even when page size is right.
- Hardcover and paperback wrap files are separate—do not reuse paperback bleed math for hardcover wrap templates.
- No-bleed journals should not silently include bleed-sized canvases; mismatch between KDP trim selection and PDF size causes rejection.
FAQ
Is 6.125×9.25 only for journals?
No. Any 6×9 paperback with bleed uses the same Help example—novels, workbooks, and journals alike.
Can I crop a 6.125×9.125 file to fix it?
Cropping alone does not add missing bleed height. Rebuild the page to 9.25" and re-extend edge art.
Bottom line
Trust Amazon’s +0.125" / +0.25" rule. If a template ships 6.125×9.125 for 6×9 bleed, replace it before you upload.