If you have been reading on your Paperwhite since 2021, the newer Paperwhite looks almost exactly like yours. So can you share cases? No. The two are close, but close is not a fit. Here is what changed, how to tell which one you have, and how to find a case made for it.
The short answer
- Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen (2021) needs a case made for the 11th Gen.
- Kindle Paperwhite 12th Gen (2024) needs a case made for the 12th Gen. That same case also fits the Kindle Colorsoft.
A case for one will not fit the other.
What changed between the two
Amazon gave the 2024 Paperwhite a slightly bigger screen, 7 inches instead of 6.8. The body grew with it.
- Paperwhite 11th Gen (2021): 174.2 x 124.6 x 8.1 mm
- Paperwhite 12th Gen (2024): 176.7 x 127.6 x 7.8 mm
- Kindle Colorsoft: 176.7 x 127.6 x 7.8 mm, the same as the 12th Gen
A few millimeters is enough to matter for a case made to fit snugly, so each Paperwhite needs its own.
Which models share each case
The 11th Gen case fits:
- Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen (2021)
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021)
- Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2021)
The 12th Gen case fits:
- Kindle Paperwhite 12th Gen (2024)
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024)
- Kindle Colorsoft
How to tell which Paperwhite you have
Amazon's Identify Your Kindle E-Reader page shows every model. Or take our size quiz and we will match you to the right case.
A good rule of thumb: if you bought your Paperwhite between late 2021 and fall 2024, it is almost certainly an 11th Gen.
A magnetic case for the Paperwhite 11th Gen
The 11th Gen has a Bondi case of its own, made for its exact size. Magnetic support is built into the lower two-thirds of the back, so your grip repositions across the back, not just the center. Move it when you switch hands. Take it off when you want the case slim again.
No straps. No fixed grips. No permanent sticky magnet rings.
Shop Paperwhite 11th Gen cases, or if you read on a 2024 Paperwhite or Colorsoft, shop 12th Gen cases.
Frequently asked questions
Will an 11th Gen Paperwhite case fit the 12th Gen?
No. The 12th Gen is a few millimeters taller and wider, so an 11th Gen case will not fit it.
Will a 12th Gen case fit my 2021 Paperwhite?
No. The two are different sizes, so a 12th Gen case is not made to fit the 2021 model.
Is the Kindle Colorsoft the same size as the Paperwhite 11th Gen?
No. The Colorsoft matches the 2024 Paperwhite, not the 2021 model. It is a few millimeters taller and wider than the 11th Gen, so the two need different cases.
Does the Paperwhite Signature Edition use the same case as the regular Paperwhite?
Yes, within the same generation. The 2021 Signature Edition uses the 11th Gen case, and the 2024 Signature Edition uses the 12th Gen case.
Is the 11th Gen Paperwhite the same as the 11th Gen Kindle?
No. Amazon also calls the basic Kindle (2022 and 2024) 11th Gen, but it is a smaller 6 inch reader. It needs a Kindle Basic case.