For the first time in its nearly 18-year history, the Smashwords store will update its royalty rates.
Effective January 1, 2026, books priced under $2.99 will earn 40% list.
Books priced $2.99 and higher will earn 75% list, the highest among all major ebook retailers.
Since 2008, the Smashwords store paid royalties using a complicated formula that was based on the dollar amount of the shopping cart checkout rather than the price of the book. Smashwords is simplifying the rate structure so it's more transparent, predictable, and easier to understand. To view a summary of the rate structure at various price points, visit our Royalty Rates page.
What's next
There is no action you need to take. We’ll continue to pay the old Smashwords rates through the end of 2025. Beginning today, when you enter a digital book price for digital stores—in Step 4 of the ebook publishing process—you’ll see the new Smashwords royalties calculated in the “Projected Royalties” column.
