Apple Books Ebook Cover Requirements
Apple Books has the strictest cover image requirements of any major ebook platform. Non-compliant covers — CMYK color mode, below-minimum dimensions, or missing sRGB profile — cause the entire EPUB submission to be rejected through Apple Books Connect. Unlike KDP, which sometimes accepts borderline images, Apple's validation is fully automated and returns specific error codes.
Specifications at a glance
Detailed requirements
Apple Books requires cover images to be at least 1400×2100 pixels, in RGB color mode with an sRGB color profile. The minimum is notably higher than KDP's 625×1000px floor — a cover that passes KDP's size check may still fail Apple Books. CMYK images are rejected; this is the most common reason print covers fail Apple's validation, since print designers typically work in CMYK and may not have a separate RGB/sRGB export.
Apple validates color profiles at the byte level — saving as RGB in some tools does not automatically embed an sRGB profile. When exporting your cover, explicitly set the color profile to sRGB in the export dialog rather than relying on the application default.
Common mistakes
CMYK cover from print workflow
Print covers are designed in CMYK. Apple Books rejects CMYK images at the point of EPUB submission. Export a separate RGB/sRGB JPEG specifically for the ebook cover — do not extract the image from a print-ready PDF.
Missing sRGB color profile
Saving as RGB is not the same as embedding an sRGB profile. When exporting from Photoshop, InDesign, or Affinity Photo, explicitly choose sRGB IEC 61966-2.1 as the color profile in the export settings.
Cover below 1400×2100px
Apple's minimum is 1400×2100px — the same 2:3 aspect ratio as KDP but with a higher pixel floor. A 1000×1600px image that meets KDP's requirements will fail Apple Books validation.
Common questions
Does Apple Books accept PNG covers?
Yes. Apple Books accepts both JPEG and PNG cover images, provided they are in RGB/sRGB color mode and meet the minimum dimensions. JPEG is more common and produces smaller file sizes.
My cover looks correct in Photoshop — why does Apple Books reject it as CMYK?
Photoshop documents can be in RGB mode while still embedding a CMYK-derived profile from a previous color conversion. Open the image in Photoshop, go to Edit → Convert to Profile, select sRGB IEC 61966-2.1, and re-export. Use Image → Mode → RGB Color first if the document mode itself is CMYK.
Is there a maximum file size for Apple Books cover images?
Apple does not publish a specific cover image file size limit, but excessively large images (above ~20MB) can cause submission processing issues. A 1400×2100px JPEG at maximum quality is typically 2–4MB — well within safe limits.
Check your cover against Apple Books requirements
The free Cover Checker validates dimensions, color mode, and file format against publishing platform requirements — no signup required.
Check Your Cover Free →Platform rejection guides: Why Apple Books rejects ebooks
Common EPUB errors: Cover image not declared in OPF manifest
Cover requirements: Amazon KDP ebook cover requirements