Paperback vs. Hardcover in 2024: Which One to Pick?

• Jan 24, 2024
• 5 min read

• Tags: Fiction, Nonfiction, Novel, Self-Publishing, Traditional Publishing

Do you want to make the best decision for your book’s success? While choosing between paperback vs. hardcover isn’t easy, we’ve simplified the process for you. Understand the difference between hardcover and paperback formats to select the best one for your book!

We’ve also added information about the costs involved for both formats. With this, we’ve also described how both formats can affect your book’s marketability and visual appeal. So without further ado, let’s dive into the details! 

Let’s begin by understanding the basics of paperbacks and hardcover formats. 

What is a paperback book? 

A paperback book is a type of book that has a soft, flexible cover, made of paper or cardstock. The cover is often attached to the book using glue, instead of stitches or staples. 

Paperback books come in a variety of sizes and there are many paperback types. Following are the important paperback types: 

• Mass-market paperbacks- These are small-sized paperbacks, highly compact and affordable. Their size is approximately 4.25 x 6.87 inches. If you have written a romance/science fiction/ mystery novel, mass-market paperbacks can be the best choice for you then! 
• Trade paperbacks- Trade paperbacks are larger as compared to mass market paperbacks. Their size is usually 5.5 x 8.5 inches. Have you written a memoir or poetry book or explored the non-fiction genre? You can consider choosing the trade paperback then! 
• A-format paperbacks- This format is used for pocket-sized books. The size is usually 4.33 x 7 inches. 
• B-format paperback- If you want a format larger than a mass-market paperback, this is a good option. The size is typically 5.04 x 7.8 inches. It’s used for contemporary fiction, biographies, history books, memoirs, and science books. 
• Digest size- This paperback format is generally 5.5 x 8.5 inches. It’s often used for smaller paperback books and genres like mystery and short story collections. 
• Oversized paperbacks- While sizes vary, a commonly used oversized paperback size is 7 x 10 inches. This size is used for books that require more space such as graphic novels, art books, cookbooks, or technical novels. 

After understanding what is a paperback book, let’s explore everything about hardcover books in detail. 

What is a hardcover book? 

A hardcover book, also known as a hardback, has a stiff, thick cover, made of cardboard, cloth, or occasionally leather. The standard size of a hardcover book is 6 x 9 inches. This size is usually used for contemporary novels, classics, romance, scholarly works, textbooks, biographies, memoirs, and self-help books. 

Do you want a hardcover for a first-edition book? You can choose a trade hardcover then!  Trade hardcovers have the same standard size. However, if you want a hardcover for a coffee table book, atlas, or art book, select a larger, oversized hardcover format. While the size of oversized large format books varies, it is usually 8.5 x 11 inches.

Following are the different types of hardcovers: 

• Dust-jacketed hardcovers- A dust jacket is an outer, print cover (made of paper)  attached to the hardback cover. It protects the book from wear and tear. 
• Jacketed case laminated hardcover– This type of hardcover has a printed design on the hardcover itself (case laminate). On top of this, the dust jacket (outer printed cover) is included. 
• Lay-flat hardcover- These hardcover books allow the pages to remain completely flat when the book is open. Are you searching for a hardcover type to create a photo book, cookbook, or art book? If yes, the lay-flat hardcover format can be your best bet. 
• Spiral-bound hardcover- These books can be customized in various sizes. They can be the perfect choice for directories, personalized albums, and instruction manuals. 
• Cloth-covered hardcover- Did you know that hardcover books are covered with cloth such as linen, cotton, or synthetic fabrics? These books are usually selected for special editions, literary works, family heirlooms, and collector’s items. 
• Sewn hardcover- Also known as case-bound books, these hardcovers often come with a dust jacket. Interestingly, several sewn hardcovers also have headbands and tailbands for additional protection. They are used for children’s books, textbooks, library books, classic fiction, etc. 
• Glue-only binding hardcover- If you want a cost-effective hardcover, this is one of your best options. They are however not suitable for thick books and when opened, their pages do not remain flat like lay-flat books. 

To make the best choice between a paperback book vs. hardcover, let’s explore their pros and cons in detail. 

Paperback vs. hardcover: pros & cons 

Paperback: pros 

• They are lightweight, and less expensive to produce as compared to hardcovers. 
• They can be distributed faster than hardcovers. 
• They are less costly to replace if damaged or lost. 
• They are less intimidating to new readers due to their light weight and portability. 
• It’s easier to resell and exchange paperbacks as compared to hardcovers. 
• Their reasonable costs make them good gifts for avid readers. 
• They are an ideal choice for reading in book clubs due to their affordability and portability. 

The above points clearly illustrate how paperbacks can be advantageous. Let’s now see the disadvantages of a paperback book vs. hardcover. 

Paperback: cons 

• They have less durability as compared to hardcovers and can easily get damaged. 
• Some paperbacks deteriorate faster over time and their pages often get yellow. 
• They don’t stay naturally open or flat which hampers the reading experience. 
• Several paperbacks, especially mass-market paperbacks might have smaller font sizes, increasing reading difficulty. 
• There is limited space for note-taking and the bookbinding might not hold up well over time. 
• They are less aesthetic and less suitable for display as compared to hardcovers. 
• They have lower resale value as compared to hardcovers. 

To understand hardcover vs. paperback books better, let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of hardbacks! 

Hardback: pros 

• They can withstand the risk of damage better than paperbacks. 
• They are more visually attractive due to features like embossed covers and foil stamping. 
• First editions and special editions are published in hardback format, making them more appealing for collectors as compared to paperback. 
• The spine of a hardback cover is stronger, making the book long-lasting. 
• They have a better print quality with careful attention paid to the book’s fonts, illustrations, and typesetting. 
• They are often chosen for display at libraries and offices due to their greater visual appeal. 
• They are suitable for larger, heavier books where paperback books will not be as durable. 

Now let’s explore the disadvantages of hardcover vs. paperback books. 

Hardcover: cons 

• They are more costly to produce, distribute, and purchase. 
• They are bulkier, making it difficult to carry them during travels. 
• Since not all books are published in the hardcover format, it might limit choices for readers. 
• They have a greater environmental impact, as it requires more resources to produce hardcovers. 
• Holding a bulky hardcover book for a long period can cause a strain on the hands, making it unsuitable for longer reading hours. 
• Hardcover dust jackets can easily get damaged, and might not be reusable. 
• Using hardcover books for a quick reference might be inconvenient due to the hardcover’s bulkiness and stiff front cover. 

The above points clearly explain what is the difference between hardcover and paperbacks. We hope this article will help you decide whether to opt for a hardcover vs. paperback. You can also bookmark this article for quick future references about hardcover and paperback differences. 

Other than selecting from hardcover versus paperback formats, you’ll also need to make many other choices for your book. This includes decisions about your book’s editing, cover design, formatting, ISBN, marketing, and promotion. As providers of expert self-publishing services, we’d love to help you perfect your book! 

Keep reading to make informed choices about book publishing! 

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Priya

Priya has a talent for academic research and enjoys simplifying complex topics. When she's not helping students improve their writing, she can be seen reading poetry, playing the harmonium, or learning classical dance.