Ebook Template: A Free Fill-in-the-Blanks Structure (Plus Page Size and Design Rules)
A good ebook template does two jobs. It gives you a structure so you know what to write, and a layout so the result looks like a real book instead of a school assignment. Most "free ebook templates" online only do the second one. Pretty pages, nothing to put in them.
This page gives you both. Copy the structure, then pour it into any Canva or Google Docs design you like.
The structure template (copy this)
Fill in the brackets. Each line becomes a page or a chapter.
- Cover: [Title: the result] + [Subtitle: who it's for and how] + [Your name or brand]
- Welcome page: who this is for, what they'll be able to do by the end, how to use the book
- Contents
- Quick win chapter: one thing the reader can do in under 30 minutes that proves the book works
- Chapter 1 to Chapter 6: one step each, in the order the reader should do them - Opening line: what this chapter gets them - The method, in short sections - One real example - A "Do this now" box with a single action
- Common mistakes: the five things that go wrong, and how to avoid them
- Toolkit: checklists, worksheets, templates, a one-page summary
- Next steps: what to do after finishing the book
- About the author: two or three honest lines
- Copyright and disclaimer
That's a 25 to 45 page ebook, which is the right size for a practical guide. If you need help turning this into actual chapters, our guide to writing an ebook walks through the daily writing routine.
The "Do this now" box (the most underrated bit)
Every chapter ends with one action. Not five. One.
Do this now: Write your one-sentence idea: "I help [who] get [result] without [pain]."
Readers love these boxes because they turn reading into progress. Reviewers mention them. Refund requests drop. It's the cheapest upgrade an ebook can get.
Page size: which one should you use?
| Where it will be read | Page size |
|---|---|
| PDF you sell yourself (phone + print-friendly) | A4 (210 × 297 mm) |
| PDF mostly read on phones | A5 or a 6 × 9 inch page |
| Amazon Kindle ebook | No fixed page; text reflows. Focus on headings, not layout |
For a PDF guide, A4 is the safe default in India: it prints cleanly and reads fine when zoomed on a phone. Kindle is different, because the text rewraps to fit the screen. Fancy layouts don't survive the trip. See our Kindle Direct Publishing guide if that's your route.
The six design rules
- Two fonts maximum. One for headings, one for body text. Three fonts look like a wedding card.
- Three colours. Dark for text, one bright accent, one soft background.
- Body text at 11 to 12 pt on A4. Most buyers read on phones.
- Short paragraphs. Two to four lines. Walls of text make people leave.
- White space is not wasted space. It's where the reader's eyes rest.
- Same style everywhere. Every chapter opener looks the same. Every tip box looks the same.
Making it in Canva (free)
- Search Canva for "ebook" or "workbook" and pick an A4 template with a clean style.
- Make one of each page type: cover, chapter opener, text page, checklist page.
- Duplicate the text page as you go. Paste one chapter at a time.
- Add your "Do this now" boxes and a couple of simple tables.
- Download as PDF Standard (smaller file) and test it on your phone.
Writing in Hindi or another Indian language? Pick a font that supports your script, like Noto Sans, Hind or Mukta, and check every page for broken letters. Some fonts quietly mangle matras, and you won't notice until a reader does.
Making it in Google Docs (also free)
Google Docs is underrated for ebooks. Use built-in Heading styles (so a contents page can be generated), set the page to A4, use one font, and export via File, then Download, then PDF. It won't win design awards. It will be finished, which is better.
Don't forget the cover
The cover is a separate design job and the most important single image you'll make. Here's how to do it properly: ebook cover design.
Quick answers
Is there a free ebook template? Yes, the structure above is free to copy, and Canva's free plan includes many ebook layouts.
How many pages should my ebook have? For a practical guide, 25 to 45 pages is plenty. Price follows the result, not the page count.
Should I use Word or Canva? Write in Google Docs or Word. Design in Canva. Writing inside a design tool is slow and painful, like typing an essay on a calculator.
Planning a longer project? Our guide on how to write a book covers outlining for bigger books and novels.