Margins & Gutter
Set proper spacing around your text so your book prints cleanly and remains easy to read.
What Are Margins?
Margins are the empty space between your text and the edges of the page.
They help:
- keep text from being cut off
- improve readability
- give your pages a clean, balanced look
Types of Margins
Top and Bottom Margins
- add space above and below your text
- prevent pages from feeling cramped
Outside Margins
- keep text away from the outer edge of the page
- make the book easier to read and hold
Inside Margin (Gutter)
- The inside margin is where the gutter is applied.
What Is the Gutter?
The gutter is extra space added to the inside margin so text doesn’t get lost in the spine when the book is bound.
Without enough gutter space, text near the center of the book can become difficult to read.
Why Gutter Size Changes
The thicker your book, the more gutter space you’ll need.
Why:
- more pages = tighter binding
- pages curve inward near the spine
This is why page count affects your margin settings.
General Guidelines
Keep this simple — no heavy math.
Margins:
- top/bottom: consistent spacing
- outside: enough space for comfortable reading
- inside: slightly larger than outside
Gutter:
- increases with page count
- always applied to the inside margin
Most formatting tools or platforms (like KDP) will recommend gutter sizes based on your page count.
Gutter Guidelines by Page Count
Gutter size increases as your page count grows.
Use the ranges below as a general starting point.
Typical Gutter Ranges
- Up to 150 pages
→ ~0.5″ – 0.6″ - 150–300 pages
→ ~0.6″ – 0.75″ - 300–500 pages
→ ~0.75″ – 0.9″ - 500+ pages
→ ~0.9″ – 1.0″+
When in doubt, it’s better to slightly increase your gutter than risk text getting lost in the spine.
General Margin Guidelines
Margins should provide enough space for readability without crowding the page.
Typical Margins
- Top / Bottom: ~0.5″ – 0.75″
- Outside: ~0.5″ – 0.75″
- Inside (before gutter): slightly smaller than outside
The inside margin plus gutter will always be larger than the outside margin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- margins that are too small
- forgetting to add a gutter
- using the same margin on all sides
- not adjusting for page count
Keep It Consistent
Margins and gutter settings should stay consistent throughout your entire book.
Focus on:
- setting margins early ✔
- adjusting gutter based on page count ✔
- maintaining consistency ✔
Proper margins and gutter spacing are what make your book comfortable to read from the first page to the last.