Best Book Size for Self Publishing
Choosing the right book size is one of the most important decisions in the publishing process. The wrong size can make your book look unprofessional, cost more to produce, and reduce your profit margin.
The Most Popular Book Sizes in South Africa
These are the book formats used most frequently by South African publishers and self-publishing authors:
| Format | Dimensions | Best For | Local Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 × 210mm | Novels, memoirs, non-fiction, poetry | ★★★★★ |
| 6×9 Inch | 152 × 229mm | Business, Amazon KDP, trade paperback | ★★★★☆ |
| A4 | 210 × 297mm | Workbooks, textbooks, manuals | ★★★☆☆ |
| Square 20×20cm | 200 × 200mm | Children's picture books | ★★★★★ |
| Square 15×15cm | 150 × 150mm | Children's board books | ★★★☆☆ |
| Square 21×21cm | 210 × 210mm | Premium children's books | ★★★★☆ |
A5 — The South African Standard
A5 (148×210mm / 5.83×8.27 inches) is the dominant book format in South African bookstores and is used for the majority of locally published novels, non-fiction, and poetry. It is compact, sits well on shelves, and is very cost-effective to print. If you are publishing primarily for the South African market, A5 is almost always the right choice.
- Cost-effective — more copies per printing budget
- Familiar and trusted by South African readers
- Perfect for most fiction, non-fiction, and memoir
- Widely stocked in South African bookstores
- Great shelf presence at markets and literary events
6×9 — The International Standard
6×9 inches (152×229mm) is the standard trade paperback size in the USA and the default format for Amazon KDP print-on-demand. If you plan to sell your book internationally on Amazon, or if your target audience is business professionals who are used to international non-fiction titles, 6×9 is the better choice.
- Amazon KDP compatible — perfect for print-on-demand
- Standard for international business and non-fiction
- Familiar to readers of US and UK published books
- Slightly larger than A5 — more text visible per page
- Available in softcover and hardcover
Children's Book Sizes
Children's books are almost always printed in square formats. The size determines the age group, illustration style, and production cost.
| Size | Best Age Group | Common Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15×15cm | Ages 0–4 | Board books, early readers | Compact, fits small hands |
| 20×20cm | Ages 3–8 | Picture books | Most popular size in SA |
| 21×21cm | Ages 4–10 | Premium picture books | Publisher-grade format |
How Book Size Affects Cost
Larger formats use more paper and cost more per copy. Here is a rough comparison of relative printing costs for a 200-page book at 100 copies:
| Format | Relative Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A5 Softcover | Lowest | Most cost-effective option |
| 6×9 Softcover | +8–12% | Slightly more paper than A5 |
| A4 Softcover | +35–50% | Significantly more paper |
| Hardcover (any) | +60–120% | Premium production cost |
Our Recommendation by Genre
Not sure which size is right for your book? Here is our recommendation by genre:
| Genre | Recommended Size | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Novel / Fiction | A5 | South African standard, cost-effective |
| Memoir / Biography | A5 | Personal, intimate feel |
| Business / Non-Fiction | 6×9 or A5 | 6×9 for Amazon; A5 for SA retail |
| Poetry | A5 | Classic literary format |
| Children's Picture Book | 20×20cm | Most popular SA format |
| Academic / Textbook | A5 or A4 | A4 for workbooks; A5 for readers |
| Cookbook | A4 or A5 Full Colour | A4 for photography |
| Training Manual | A4 | Wire-O binding recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
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