Vellum Help
File Size Considerations
Ebooks in Amazon’s mobi format are larger than equivalent EPUB files. The size of this file should not be used to estimate Amazon’s Delivery Costs, which are computed when you upload your file to KDP.
Kindle File Size
The size of a mobi file can be surprising, especially when compared to an equivalent EPUB file:
The mobi file is so much larger because it actually contains several files within: versions for each Kindle format (MOBI7, KF8), as well as an entire copy of the source EPUB file used to create it.
These multiple versions are created when an EPUB file is converted into Amazon’s proprietary mobi format.
Kindle Delivery Costs
Unique to Kindle is a Delivery cost that is based on the size of the ebook delivered to readers (applicable when selecting the 70% royalty option).
This calculation is not based on the size of the whole .mobi file. Rather, it is based on the smallest (MOBI7) component shown above.
To illustrate the difference, here are sizes and cost for a sample mobi file uploaded to KDP:
| mobi size | 2.4 MB |
|---|---|
| Delivery size | 0.3 MB |
| Delivery cost | $0.04 |
Note: Cost is based on the rate of $0.15/MB. See Amazon’s Pricing Page for details.
The only way to determine this delivery size is to upload your file to KDP. You’ll find the file size after conversion and resulting Delivery costs on the Kindle eBook Pricing page:
Fonts, Images, and Kindle Delivery Costs
As shown above, it is the smallest (MOBI7) version of your book that is used to compute Delivery Costs. This version:
- Uses low-resolution images, automatically created during conversion
- Does not include embedded fonts
This means that any high-resolution images or embedded fonts included in the KF8 version of your book will not affect your Delivery Costs.