Audiobook Cover Design: What Is Different
Quick Answer: Audiobook covers must be square (at least 2400 x 2400 pixels), while ebook covers are tall rectangles (1600 x 2560 pixels). This shape difference means you can't simply crop your ebook cover; the artwork, text, and composition need to be rearranged for the square format. Most authors adapt their existing ebook cover rather than designing from scratch, which keeps the visual identity consistent across formats.
The format difference sounds minor, but it changes how the cover works visually. Elements that were stacked vertically on a tall rectangle need to be repositioned for a square. Text sizes, image placement, and overall composition all shift. Understanding what the audiobook platforms require and how to adapt your existing artwork saves time and prevents upload rejections.
ACX and Platform Cover Requirements
ACX (which distributes to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes) has specific requirements:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Shape | True square (no rectangular images with borders) |
| Minimum dimensions | 2400 x 2400 pixels |
| Maximum file size | 5 MB |
| File format | JPG, PNG, or TIFF |
| Color mode | RGB (not CMYK) |
| Resolution | Minimum 72 DPI |
| Required text | Title and author name (must match audio credits exactly) |
| Optional text | Subtitle and narrator name |
Most other audiobook platforms (Findaway Voices, Authors Republic, Kobo, Apple Books) accept the same square format at 2400 x 2400 pixels. Building one file at that size satisfies every major platform.
Audible may place a badge or promotional graphic in the lower-right corner of your cover. Avoid placing critical text or imagery in that area so it doesn't get obscured.
How to Adapt Your Ebook Cover
Converting a rectangular ebook cover to a square audiobook cover is not as simple as cropping the center of the image. Cropping a 1600 x 2560 rectangle into a 2400 x 2400 square cuts off the top and bottom, which usually means losing the title, the author name, or both.
Reposition the key elements. Take the main image, title, and author name from your ebook cover and arrange them within the square frame. The title may need to move from the top of the image to the center or overlap the main visual differently. The author name may shift position. The goal is a composition that looks intentional, not like a forced rearrangement.
Adjust text size. Text that was readable on a tall rectangle may be too small on a square that's displayed at thumbnail size in Audible's grid layout. Audiobook covers appear alongside music album art in some apps, so your title needs to be readable at small sizes in a grid of squares.
Add the narrator's name (optional but recommended). Audiobook covers can include "Narrated by [Name]" or "Read by [Name]." If you include it, the name must match exactly what's announced in the opening and closing credits of the audio.
Maintain visual consistency. Use the same color palette, imagery style, and typography as your ebook cover so readers recognize the book across formats. The square version should feel like a sibling of the rectangular version, not a different design.
DIY vs Professional Adaptation
DIY. If you have the source files for your ebook cover (a layered PSD, AI, or Canva project file), adapting to square format is straightforward in Canva, Photoshop, or any design tool. Create a new 2400 x 2400 canvas, place your elements, and adjust. This takes 30 to 60 minutes for most covers.
Hiring your cover designer. If your ebook cover was designed by a professional, ask them to create the audiobook version. Most designers charge $50 to $150 for a square adaptation if they have the original source files. This is usually the best option because the designer understands the composition and can rework it cleanly.
Starting from scratch. If your ebook cover source files aren't available, a designer can create a new square cover from scratch. This costs the same as a new ebook cover ($200 to $500) and may be worthwhile if the ebook cover was weak to begin with.
What Good Audiobook Cover Design Looks Like vs What Does Not
Works well: - The square cover looks intentionally designed, not awkwardly cropped. The composition works within the square frame. - Title and author name are readable at thumbnail size in Audible's grid view. Text is large enough and has strong contrast against the background. - The audiobook cover is visually consistent with the ebook and print covers. A reader who has seen one would recognize the other.
Red flags: - The ebook cover was stretched or squeezed into a square shape, distorting the image and text. This looks unprofessional and is immediately noticeable. - Black or white borders were added to a rectangular image to make it "square." ACX explicitly rejects this approach. - The title on the cover doesn't match the title in the audio credits or the ACX listing. Any mismatch can delay or block approval.
The Takeaway
Audiobook covers are square, ebook covers are rectangular, and the difference requires a genuine redesign of the composition. Ask your ebook cover designer for a square adaptation ($50 to $150 if they have the source files), or create one yourself in Canva or Photoshop. Make sure the title and author name are readable at thumbnail size and match the audio credits exactly. For the full audiobook process, see the Audiobook Creation guide.
Q: Is an audiobook cover different from an ebook cover? A: Yes. Audiobook covers are square (2400 x 2400 pixels minimum). Ebook covers are tall rectangles (1600 x 2560 pixels). The same artwork can be used, but it must be rearranged for the different dimensions. See Is an Audiobook Cover Different from an Ebook Cover?
Q: How much does an audiobook cover cost? A: Adapting an existing ebook cover to square format costs $50 to $150 if the designer has the source files. A new audiobook cover from scratch costs $200 to $500. DIY adaptation using Canva or Photoshop is free if you have the design skills.