How to publish an eBook on Google Play Books

Google Play Books sells ebooks on Android devices and the web in more than 75 countries. You publish through the Google Play Books Partner Center, uploading an EPUB (or PDF) and a cover. No ISBN is needed: Google assigns its own GGKEY identifier.

Is Google Play Books right for your book?

Authors with readers in markets where Android dominates.
Note that Google Play can discount your list price; Partner Center shows the rules that apply to your account.

Google Play Books Partner Center at a glance

Sell on Google Play Books in 75+ countries.

Formats accepted: EPUB, PDF
Cover: JPEG/PNG/TIFF, 1:1.6 recommended (1600 × 2560), at least 640 px on the shortest side.
ISBN: Not required — Google assigns a GGKEY identifier.
Royalty: Usually 70% of list price (estimate — verify in Partner Center).

Files you need to upload

Content (EPUB)
EPUB ebook — Reflowable EPUB 3 manuscript
Cover
eBook cover JPG — 1600 × 2560 px, 1.6:1 — KDP's ideal size

Step by step

Steps

1
Open Google Play Books Partner Center
2
Book catalog → Add book → Ebook
Enter your ISBN or let Google assign an ID.
3
Book details
Title, subtitle, contributors, description, language, BISAC subjects.
4
Upload the EPUB and cover
Content → upload EPUB; cover → the 1600 × 2560 JPG.
5
Content settings
Preview percentage, DRM / download options.
6
Prices & territories
7
Publish
8
Record the Play Books link here

Before you publish

Google Play may discount your price; Partner Center shows the rules for your account.

Open Partner Center

Google Play Books: frequently asked questions

Is it free to publish on Google Play Books?+

Creating a Partner Center account and listing a book does not cost anything; Google takes its share from each sale.

Does Google Play Books need an ISBN?+

No. If you don't supply one, Google assigns a GGKEY identifier to your book.

Why is my book cheaper on Google Play than the price I set?+

Google Play may discount titles. Partner Center explains the pricing rules for your account — check them before you set your list price.

Which files should I upload to Google Play Books?+

An EPUB for the content and a JPEG, PNG or TIFF cover at roughly 1:1.6 (1600 × 2560 recommended, at least 640 px on the shortest side).

Get Google Play Books-ready files from one idea

Inkora writes your book, designs the cover and exports exactly the files listed above — then tracks this checklist for you in its Publishing Hub.

Start your book free