If you’ve ever uploaded a book to Amazon KDP and thought, “Wait… why does my chapter suddenly start in the middle of the page?” you’re in good company. Every indie author hits these roadblocks at least once. Sometimes twice. Sometimes every single time because Kindle files have a funny way of humbling us.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common KDP formatting mistakes authors run into and how to fix them without losing your sanity. These tips come from real-world experience, things we’ve seen during manuscript checks, issues other writers vent about, and a few formatting fails we’ve lived through personally.
Let’s jump in.
Introduction: The “I Finally Uploaded… and Then KDP Said No” Moment
Picture this. You’ve edited the manuscript three times. You export it, take a proud breath, upload it to KDP… and bam, the previewer shows weird gaps, floating images, and a chapter that’s suddenly bold for no reason. Not exactly the victory moment you imagined.
Yeah, we’ve all been there. Some days it feels like KDP formatting errors multiply the moment you look away.
But the good news? Most issues are fixable with a few simple changes. And once you understand what causes them, your uploads get smoother, cleaner, and way less terrifying.
Let’s go through the top ten mistakes we see all the time.
1. Using the Wrong Document Setup
A lot of new authors tell us they wrote their entire book in a standard A4 page without thinking about trim size, margins, or section breaks. And honestly, who thinks about margins while writing? You’re trying to finish the story, not design a textbook.
But when it’s time for kdp book formatting, the wrong page setup creates chaos.
How to Fix It
Before you do anything else:
- Choose your trim size (popular: 6×9 or 5.5×8.5).
- Set margins based on Amazon KDP formatting guidelines.
- Add mirrored margins for paperbacks.
- Turn on “Different odd and even pages” if you want proper headers.
This prevents the wild surprises that show up in the KDP previewer later.
2. Not Using Proper Heading Styles
One mistake we see in nearly every first-time manuscript: authors manually bold and enlarge their chapter titles instead of applying Word’s heading styles.
The problem? Kindle doesn’t always “understand” manual formatting. When you convert to Kindle, those titles might not behave the way you want.
Fix It Fast
- Use Heading 1 for chapters.
- Keep styles consistent.
- Avoid manually spacing your title with 3 – 4 empty lines. Kindle hates that.
And yes, this one mistake causes half of the broken tables of contents we see.
3. Relying on Spaces Instead of True Page Breaks
We often see authors use the spacebar to push text to the next page. Looks fine in Word. Breaks instantly on Kindle.
Kindle doesn’t care how many spaces you added, it removes them automatically.
Fix It Now
Use Insert → Page Break every time you want a new chapter to start on a new page. Takes half a second. Saves hours of frustration.
4. Inconsistent Indents (or No Indents at All)
Some chapters have indents. Others don’t. Sometimes the first paragraph has an indent. Sometimes it doesn’t. That messy look is one of the biggest reasons readers leave frustrated reviews about “ugly formatting.”
Quick Fix
- Don’t use tabs.
- Don’t hit the spacebar five times.
- Set a first-line indent in your style settings (usually 0.25 inches).
Let Word do the work.
5. Using Fancy Fonts That Aren’t Kindle-Friendly
During one manuscript review, we noticed an author used five different fonts, including one that looked like pirate handwriting. Cute idea. But Kindle doesn’t support most custom fonts, especially in older devices.
The result? Random font switching, broken italics, and inconsistent spacing.
Fix
Stick to basic, supported fonts:
- Georgia
- Times New Roman
- Garamond
For ebooks, the reader’s device often overrides your font anyway.
6. Images Added Without Compression or Proper Alignment
This one hits authors who write cookbooks, children’s books, nonfiction, or anything visual. High-resolution images look great on your laptop. But KDP has strict file size limits.
And giant images… well… they get slapped by that limit fast.
Fix
- Compress all images before adding them.
- Use JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics.
- Set alignment to “In Line with Text” to avoid weird floating images.
We often see this error during kdp paperback formatting, because images behave differently in print vs Kindle.
7. Forgetting to Build a Clickable Table of Contents
The “table of contents disaster” is one of the most common mistakes. Authors think KDP will magically detect chapters. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. And when it doesn’t, your readers are stuck scrolling forever.
Fix
A proper EPUB or DOCX needs:
- Heading styles applied consistently.
- A generated TOC (Word → References → Table of Contents).
- Logical order (no empty headings for decorative text).
Simple. But easy to miss at 2 a.m. when you’re exporting files.
8. Uploading a Word File Without Checking Kindle Previewer
Let’s be honest: the Kindle previewer is your last line of defense. And most of us skip it because we’re tired, confident, or just hoping for the best.
But Word files don’t always convert cleanly. Even tiny layout choices can break.
Fix
Always preview:
- On Kindle Previewer desktop app
- In KDP’s online previewer
Check:
- Spacing
- Chapter breaks
- Image placement
- Table of contents
- Margin consistency
This one step saves you from embarrassing formatting rejections.
9. Using the Wrong Export Format
Many KDP beginners struggle with choosing between DOCX, PDF, or EPUB. The rule of thumb:
- EPUB → Best for Kindle ebooks
- PDF → Best for print/POD
- DOCX → Works, but can glitch if not formatted cleanly
We often see authors upload a PDF for Kindle ebooks and then wonder why the font looks microscopic.
Fix
For Kindle:
- Export as EPUB (the safest)
- Or upload a clean DOCX
For print:
- Use a print-ready PDF with embedded fonts.
10. Not Using Any KDP Book Formatting Software
Some authors are champs with Word. Others… not so much. We’ve met writers who spent three days fighting with margins and still ended up with a crooked title page.
There are tools that make life easier. Some authors use Kindle Create. Some hire formatters. And many use tools like PublishPro to skip the heavy lifting.
It’s not cheating. It’s efficient.
Fix
If formatting is slowing you down:
- Try Kindle Create for simple books.
- Use kdp book formatting software if you want everything automated.
- Outsource if you’re on a deadline.
Whatever makes your book look professional is the right choice.
Myth vs Fact: Clearing Up Common KDP Formatting Confusion
Myth: You can just upload your Word file and KDP will fix everything.
Fact: KDP fixes nothing. It only reveals what’s broken.
Myth: Using more space makes your book “look longer.”
Fact: Kindle strips extra spaces and replaces them with… nothing.
Myth: Fonts don’t matter.
Fact: Unsupported fonts break EPUB files all the time.
Myth: Page numbers should be added manually.
Fact: Never do this. Kindle controls pagination automatically.
Myth: Formatting is the easy part.
Fact: Every author says this once. Just once.
Real Pain Points We Hear from Authors (And How to Handle Them)
My KDP upload looks different from my Word file.
It will. Kindle reflows text differently. This is normal, not a mistake.
Preview your book on multiple devices to see how it behaves.
My table of contents disappeared.
That usually means:
- Heading styles weren’t applied correctly.
- Or your DOCX was exported with manual formatting.
Fixing your headings usually solves it.
Images keep moving around.
Switch to “In Line with Text.” Floating images are unpredictable on Kindle.
Why does my paperback look misaligned?
Probably margin issues. Following Amazon KDP manuscript formatting guidelines fixes 90 percent of paperback problems.
What’s the fastest way to format my book for Amazon publishing?
For simple novels:
- Clean DOCX + Kindle Create.
For more complex books:
- Dedicated amazon book formatting tools.
- Or automated systems like PublishPro when you want it done quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (Straight From Author Conversations)
Do I need an EPUB file for Kindle?
Not required, but it’s the cleanest option. EPUB gives you fewer surprises.
Why does my chapter title show up in the middle of the page?
You probably used spaces instead of a page break. It happens to everyone.
How do I format a book for Amazon publishing without losing my mind?
Take it step by step:
- Styles
- Page breaks
- Margins
- TOC
- Preview
If you rush, that’s when things break.
4. What’s the easiest tool for beginners?
Kindle Create if your book is simple.
PublishPro or other automated tools if you want it done without tinkering.
5. Why does my EPUB look different after upload?
The KDP converter adjusts spacing, line height, and margins. That’s why reviewing in Kindle Previewer is essential.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
Before you ever hit “Publish,” double-check these:
- Trim size set correctly
- Margins set using official guidelines
- Heading styles applied
- No tabs or double spaces
- Page breaks used properly
- Images compressed and aligned
- TOC auto-generated
- Previewed on Kindle Previewer
- EPUB or clean DOCX exported
If you hit all of these, your formatting will already look better than 80 percent of new uploads.
Conclusion: Take a Breath, You’re Closer Than You Think
Formatting can feel like the final boss of self-publishing. You fix one thing, and suddenly three new things pop up. But every author goes through this stage. Every one of us has had an awkward first upload. Or fifth. It’s part of the process.
Take it slow. Check your file. Preview everything. And don’t be afraid to get help when the layout maze gets overwhelming. Tools like PublishPro can simplify the technical stuff, but your story is the real centerpiece, and that part’s already done.
You’re closer to publishing than you think. Keep going. Your book deserves to make it out into the world.
