Have you ever looked at all the sizes and wondered which one is right for you? Pillow sizing can seem hard, but there is a method to it, and we’re here to help you figure it out. Bed pillows come in different sizes and shapes to meet different people’s needs for how they look and feel. When you sleep, different bed pillow sizes with different amounts of fill can make you feel more comfortable. They also come in different sizes to fit different-sized beds and pillow cases. Choosing the right pillow doesn’t have to be hard. Just keep a few things in mind, and you will always pick the right size.
1. Know your bed pillow sizes to make the most comfortable bed.
Pillows come in a variety of sizes, most of which match the sizes of beds. The Super Standard, which is usually called Standard/Queen or Jumbo, gives retailers an option between the small and medium sizes so they can hang more types of bed pillows. Our Pillow Sizes Chart shows the most common sizes for each type of pillow. However, sizes can vary a lot, so make sure to look at the size if you need something specific.
2. Make sure your pillows fit your bed size, or get creative.
It might seem easy to just buy a king pillow for a king bed, but you can actually use any size bed pillow on a king-sized bed. A good rule of thumb is to match the pillow size to the size of your bed. From there, you can get creative. Even though there are fewer choices for a Queen or Full size bed, there are hundreds of pillow combinations, so don’t be shy if you find something else you like. Here are a few classics to help you start finding your own style:
Do you need to worry about the sizes of bed pillow cases?
There are two sizes of pillow cases: Standard and King. Standard size is meant to fit three pillow sizes: Standard, Super Standard, and Queen. Luckily, sheet manufacturers make their cases bigger than they need to be to account for all the different sizes of pillows. This means that in the worst case, the pillow case will have more room than less.
Pro Tips:
- If you want your pillow to be able to fluff and mold to your body, you should buy a larger pillow case. This is especially true if you have a gusseted pillow, which is designed to loft.
- Go smaller if you want your pillow to keep its height and size or if you want to breathe new life into an older pillow.
- For more height and volume, use the hotel trick of tucking the ends of your pillow case in tightly.
4. Consider conformity for better comfort
Some sleepers, usually those who sleep on their side or stomach, like to shape and squish their pillow, even several times a night, so that it keeps its softness and shape and fits around their head. These people often find that a king-sized pillow or even a queen-sized pillow has too much volume and prefer a Standard or Super Standard size.
Some sleepers put a pillow over their head to block out light and noise. These sleepers need a light, conforming pillow and probably wouldn’t choose a king or queen size for this use. A softer pillow, like one with all-down or a down-alternative fill (maybe one that is being retired), would work well.
5. Other size matters for the best bedpillow experience
Standard Pillow Size: These sizes are really the best for sleeping and the ones we recommend first. The problem with a long pillow is that the fill can move to the ends more easily, and because it has more volume, it is harder to flatten. Some people prefer a shorter cushion because they like how compact it is. These sizes also save money, so people who don’t really have a preference may choose the less expensive option.
Queen Pillow Size: The Queen pillow is a good choice for someone who tosses and turns a lot because it gives you a lot of room on each side of your head. Also, a big pillow can feel like a luxury and help your bedroom feel like a retreat.
King Pillow Size: King pillows were made for the extra width of a King or California King bed, but they work well on a twin bed if the sleeper tosses and turns. They also make good back support pillows for reading or working on a laptop in bed. A king pillow can also serve as a shorter body pillow.
Euro Pillow Size: With so many sizes of Euro Square pillows to choose from, it’s easy to find the right look for your bed. They are mostly used for decoration and reading pillows (whether we are reading a book or like to bring the laptop to bed). But did you know that the 26″ square is also used as a sleeping pillow in some European countries, like Germany and Holland? If you buy bedding while traveling, you might need a new size pillow.
Pillow Sizes: For a designer look, use a mix of sizes on your bed. Use a larger size (king, queen, or euro) for your reading pillows and then layer the smaller size that you may prefer to sleep on in front. This not only takes care of all your pillow needs, but it also lets you mix and match colors and patterns on your shams and bed pillow cases.