Book Description Formatter
Format your Amazon book description with the HTML tags KDP actually supports. Write, preview, and copy — no code knowledge needed.
Your formatted description will appear here...
Tips for a strong book description
- Front-load: The first 2–3 sentences show above the fold
- Use bold for key phrases readers scan for
- Keep it concise — KDP recommends short, scannable copy
- End with a call-to-action or hook
- Proof the final source — HTML tags count toward 4,000 characters
KDP-Supported HTML Tags
| Tag | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
<b> | Bold text | <b>A gripping thriller</b> |
<i> | Italic text | <i>An unforgettable journey</i> |
<em> | Emphasized text, generally italic | <em>She has one night.</em> |
<u> | Underlined text; use sparingly | <u>The final rule</u> |
<br> | Line break | Line one<br>Line two |
<h4>–<h6> | Section headings; levels 1–3 are unsupported | <h4>An impossible choice</h4> |
<p> | Paragraph | <p>Your paragraph here</p> |
<ul><li> | Bullet list | <ul><li>Item one</li></ul> |
<ol><li> | Numbered list | <ol><li>Step one</li></ol> |
Move clean HTML into KDP without hidden formatting
This tool works in your browser and does not send the description to Cambric. Copy the generated source, paste it into KDP’s Description field in source mode, then use KDP’s own preview as the final authority.
A reliable paste workflow
- Finish and proof the plain-language description first.
- Add only the emphasis, paragraphs, headings, or lists the copy needs.
- Check the counter; KDP counts the HTML tags inside its 4,000-character limit.
- Copy the HTML output and paste it into KDP’s Source view.
- Preview the result, reopen Source, and remove any unexpected tags.
- Publish the metadata update and verify the live detail page after processing.
What formatting cannot fix
Bold type cannot rescue an unclear promise. The first sentence should establish the genre, problem, or central tension. The middle should supply the minimum evidence a reader needs. The close should make the next action feel natural without shouting.
Keep one plain-text master as well as the KDP HTML version. Other retailers and distributors have their own metadata fields and rules, so verify each destination instead of pasting Amazon-specific source everywhere.
KDP also restricts the content, not only the HTML.
KDP’s current book-description guidance disallows items including website URLs, contact details, reviews or testimonials, requests for reviews, time-sensitive promotions, price or ordering information, spoilers, Unicode emoji, and keyword-stuffed tag phrases. A tag can be technically supported while the words inside it still violate the metadata rules.
KDP currently supports heading levels four through six in descriptions; heading levels one through three are not supported. This formatter uses level four for its Heading button and strips unsupported elements from the preview.
The description sells the promise. The interior has to keep it.
Cambric does not submit retailer metadata for you. It handles the next production layer: import or write the manuscript, review live typeset pages, and export the print PDF and EPUB from a local desktop project.
Book Description Formatter FAQ
What HTML tags does Amazon KDP allow in book descriptions?
<br>, <p>, <b>, <em>, <i>, <u>, <h4> through <h6>, <ol>, <ul>, and <li>. Heading levels one through three are not supported in the description field.How do I add bold text to my KDP book description?
<b> tags: <b>Your bold text</b>. You can also use <i> for italic. KDP strips most other formatting.Why does my Amazon book description look different from what I entered?
<b>, <i>, <br>, <p>) and preview in KDP before publishing. Empty lines become single line breaks.How long should my Amazon book description be?
Can I use bullet points in my KDP description?
<ul> with <li> items for unordered lists, or <ol> with <li> for numbered lists. Bullet points work well for listing what readers will learn (nonfiction) or comparable titles (fiction).Turn the manuscript into
the files readers receive.
Cambric keeps the editable manuscript beside live typeset pages, then exports print PDF and EPUB from one local desktop project.
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