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Have you ever wondered about all the differences between hardback and paperback books? Me either, but when I thought about it, I was actually curious about some of the differences, like why they’re different sizes, why some books are published in one format vs the other, and much more.
So today I’m going to share all of my findings with you in one convenient place: right here! This may not be the most thrilling post ever but I hope you learn something new at least.
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What is the difference between paperback and hardcover?
The biggest differences between paperback and hardcover books are price and, well, paperbacks have soft covers and hardcovers are.. hard.
There are paperbacks in the same sizes as hardbacks but generally hardcover books are bigger. Hardcover books are typically more expensive, too, maybe $8-10 more, depending on the book.
How big are hardcover books?
Hardcover books typically come in two sizes: 5.5×8.5 inches and 6×9 inches. Of course coffee table books and children’s books don’t follow these dimensions and will vary by book and publisher.
How big are mass market paperbacks?
Mass market paperbacks are fairly small at roughly 6.75×4.25 inches. There are some that are about an inch taller but the same width, so roughly 7.75×4.25 inches.
The lines may be slightly further apart and print a bit bigger in the tall mass market paperbacks compared to the typical smaller size.
How big are trade paperbacks?
Trade paperbacks range in size but are bigger than mass market paperbacks. They’re typically 5×8 inches to 6×9 inches. There are plenty of variations in size around that though.
Some typical sizes for nonfiction and memoirs in paperback are 5.25×8 inches, 5.5×8.5 inches, 6×9 inches, and 7×10 inches. Why there are so many sizes, I have no idea.
But trade paperbacks are always bigger than mass market paperbacks and usually smaller than hardcovers, but some paperbacks are hardcover sized.
Is hardcover and hardback the same thing?
Yup! They’re just different words for the same thing and which is used will vary by person and their own preference.
Are hardcover or paperback better quality?
Hardcover books are usually higher quality than paperbacks. I think both are fine and prefer paperbacks myself, but if I had to pick, hardcover is probably better quality, but I’m not sure by how much, really.
Are hardcover or paperback more durable?
Hardcover books are generally more durable than paperbacks because of the thicker, more sturdy cardboard cover. If you’re kind to your books, paperbacks will hold up just fine.
Is paperback or hardcover easier to read?
I don’t think one is better than the other here, it will entirely depend on the book and what is easier for you to read (text size, thickness, other things I can’t think of).
I personally think paperbacks are easier to read but I have nothing against hardcovers either.
Are hardcover or paperback cheaper to buy?
Paperback books are cheaper to buy than hardcover books. YA hardcovers will be cheaper than adult hardcovers, possibly less than adult paperbacks, but all hardcover books are more expensive than their paperback counterparts.
Does paperback or hardcover have bigger text?
This will entirely depend on the book and publisher I think and doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the format it’s printed in (paperback vs hardcover).
Is hardback or paperback easier to hold?
I 100% prefer paperbacks because of how much easier they are to hold. Again, this could vary by personal preference, but paperbacks are usually lighter and just generally easier to hold (for me), especially for thicker books!
Are paperbacks and hardbacks sold in the same places?
Yup! You may not see many hardcover books in grocery stores but in any other bookstore or book retailer (like Target or WalMart) you’ll find both paperback and hardcover books.
Are all books printed as hardcovers?
Nope! A lot are, but not all of them. Mass market paperbacks are generally not printed as hardcovers but there are exceptions (think Lee Childs and James Patterson type authors).
Some books are printed in hardcover first then get a paperback version later, or vice versa, and some are just available in paperback (usually newer authors).
Like a lot of other things, the timeline of hardcover vs paperback editions will vary by book, author, and publisher. If a book does well as paperback, it’s more likely to get a hardcover edition, then future books from that author are also more likely to get hardcover editions, possibly even before paperback, as well.
Is paperback or hardback better?
You may have guessed by now but it entirely depends on personal preference! I definitely get the appeal of hardcover books (they’re pretty, look better with sprayed edges, are more durable, etc.) but I still prefer paperbacks.
Sure, they might not be as durable but if you treat them well, they’ll last just fine. If you want a more hardy collection, hardcover might be better but you really can’t go wrong either way.
Do you prefer trade paperbacks or mass market paperbacks? Or hardcovers!? I want to hear your mass market paperback thoughts!
