How to Make a Book Cover With AI (Free, for Authors)
A book cover sells the book — it signals the genre and grabs a reader's eye in a crowded store. For self-publishing authors on a budget, AI is a game-changer: generate striking, on-genre cover art from a description in seconds. This guide shows how to make a book cover with free AI.
📕 Try the AI Image Generator now — freeOpen →Professional cover design is expensive, and stock art looks generic. AI lets authors create unique, genre-appropriate cover imagery for free, then add the title and author name — a huge help for indie and first-time authors.
Match the art to the genre
Readers judge genre in a glance, so your cover art must fit it. Prompt accordingly: dark, moody and atmospheric for thrillers; soft and romantic for romance; epic and fantastical for fantasy; clean and bold for non-fiction. Describe the mood, key imagery and style.
Generate in Portrait (books are tall), and prompt for a strong focal image with space at the top or bottom for your title. Because AI struggles with text, generate the art only.
Add the title yourself
Once you have the cover art, add your title and author name in a design tool where the text is crisp and legible. Choose a font that suits the genre, and make sure the title is readable even as a small thumbnail (that's how most people first see it online).
Generate several art options and pick the one that best captures your book's mood before adding text.
Step-by-step
Common mistakes to avoid
Pro tips
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a book cover with AI for free?
Yes — the AI Image Generator creates cover art for free. Add your title and author name afterward in a design tool.
What size should a book cover be?
Tall (portrait). Generate in Portrait and add the title with space at the top or bottom.
Why add the title separately?
AI image models can't spell reliably, so create the art with AI and add crisp, legible text in a design tool.
How do I make it look professional?
Match the art to your genre, use a fitting font, and make sure the title reads clearly even as a thumbnail.
Can I use it commercially?
AI-generated images are generally usable, including for many commercial purposes, but rules vary — check your local guidance for self-publishing.
AI gives indie authors striking, on-genre cover art for free — no expensive designer or generic stock. Generate a Portrait image that fits your genre with space for the title, add the text in a design tool, and check it as a thumbnail. A cover that sells, free in your browser.