Pillow Sizes Guide: Every Size Explained (With Chart)

The most common pillow sizes are standard, queen, and king. A standard pillow is 20 x 26 inches, a queen pillow is 20 x 30 inches, and a king pillow is 20 x 36 inches. This pillow size guide covers all sizes, so you can find the right pillow for your bed, sleep style, and pillowcase.

A pillow is a soft cushion to support your head and neck when you sleep. The size of the pillow you select alters your comfort, your spine, and the shape of your bed. If you can get the size of the pillow correct, then everything else from sleeping to bedding will fall into place.

What does pillow size mean?

Pillow size refers to the length and width of a pillow, measured in inches or centimeters. It determines the amount of head and neck space you have and what pillowcase you can use.

Two pillows of the same fill can feel completely different due to size. The larger pillow distributes weight over a larger portion of your head and shoulders. A smaller one will keep things compact and easy to travel with. First, you need to lock in size, and then you can consider feel.

Pillow Size Chart

Below is a quick scan of a pillow size chart. It lists the size in inches and centimeters, plus the best use for each.

Now let me break each one down so you know exactly what fits your bed.

Standard vs Queen vs King Pillow

This is at the core of any typical pillow choice between standard, queen, or king. These 3 sizes will fit the majority of homes, and the difference between them is larger than it appears.

Standard and Super Standard

The standard pillow dimensions are 20 x 26 inches. This is the size that most people think of when they think of a pillow. It fits a twin mattress and a full mattress, and it can be used for a queen mattress if you are sleeping side by side.

A super standard pillow is a little bit longer. The super standard size is 20 x 28 inches. The added two inches can make the difference if you do move around at night but aren’t seeking a full queen. In most cases, it will fit into a standard size pillowcase, but it can be tight.

Queen Pillow

The queen pillow size is 20 x 30 inches. This is 4 inches longer than a standard pillowcase. This is the right size for a queen mattress and a double bed without any unnecessary space.

If you frequently move as you sleep, choose a queen bed. The extended length helps to hold your head on the pillow when you roll from side to back.

King Pillow

The king pillow dimensions are 20 x 36 inches. This is the most common size. It fits a king or a California king bed, and two fit the length of the bed well.

A king also serves as a backrest when you sit up to read. Remember that it will need a king-size pillowcase, as a regular-size case will not be able to reach that length.

Euro Pillow Size

The Euro pillow is not rectangular; it is square. The size of the Euro pillows is 26 x 26 inches. People also refer to this outer cover as a Euro sham pillow, which encases the ornamental square pillow casing.

You see euro pillows stacked in the back of a made bed. You sit on them when you read and put them down at night. The Euro pillow size is great to add if you desire a clean, hotel-style look.

Specialty and support pillows

Not all pillows are for your head. Many are designed for a particular purpose. These are some of those worth knowing.

• A body pillow is long and thin. The body pillow dimensions are 20 x 54 inches. Side sleepers wrap it around to prevent the top leg from stretching the spine. If you need additional support for your belly, check out our guide to the best pillow for pregnancy.
• A travel pillow is compact and easily portable. The travel pillow size is 12 x 16 inches for the flat pillows, and U-shaped pillows wrap around the neck. If you’re looking for a pillow, check out our list of the best travel pillows.
• A wedge pillow is a solid triangular shape. It raises the upper body 30-45 degrees, which may help with breathing and reduce acid reflux.
• A neck pillow is a pillow that supports the neck and maintains its shape, typically used for travel or recovery purposes.
• Place the knee pillow between the knees to help maintain hip levelness for side sleepers.
• A CPAP pillow features holes to prevent the CPAP machine mask from compressing against the bed.
• An orthopedic pillow is designed to fit a particular area, such as the neck or lower back.
• A lumbar pillow supports the lower back when sitting.
• A throw pillow and a decorative pillow are for display and are thrown on a bed or sofa.
• A pregnancy pillow is designed to wrap around the body to provide support for a growing belly.
• A nap pillow is small, soft, and used for short naps during the day.
• A backrest pillow is tall and has arms, so you can sit up comfortably.

How to Choose a Pillow by Sleep Position

The position of sleep is as important as the size. The aim is to maintain a neutral spine position with the head, neck, and back in a straight and relaxed line.

Side sleepers should use a thicker pillow to fill the space between their ear and shoulder. This helps maintain the alignment of the spine and relieves pressure on the shoulder.

A medium pillow that provides support for the natural curve of the neck, but does not push the head forward, is best for a back sleeper.

A stomach sleeper should use a thin, soft pillow or no pillow at all to prevent bending the neck up. Here, good sleep posture involves keeping the head down.

Many are a combination sleeper, a restless sleeper, an active sleeper, or a high-movement sleeper. If this is you, a larger pillow, such as a queen or king, will help support your head when you turn. The correct size will help maintain proper spinal alignment, minimize pressure points, and provide pressure relief throughout the night. If you’re looking for pillows by type, check out our list of the best pillows for each type of sleeper.

Proper sizing also helps the most painful areas. A proper pillow provides consistent neck support and head support, and a body or wedge pillow provides back support, hip support, and knee support where needed.

Pillow loft, height, and firmness

Loft measures the thickness of a pillow when you lay it flat. It combines with size to determine the position of your head.

• Low loft is thin and is best for stomach sleepers.
• Medium loft, also known as mid loft, is ideal for back sleepers.
• Thick loft is good for side sleepers.

You can read more in our detailed piece on pillow loft. Pillow height and pillow firmness determine whether your head sinks in or remains elevated. The firmer pillow will retain its shape for longer, and the softer pillow will conform to the head.

Pillow fill and materials

Pillow fill, also known as pillow filling, is the material that is inside the cover. It changes weight, feel, and care. These are the typical choices.

• A memory foam pillow conforms to the shape of your head to provide a close contour. It is sold as a solid memory foam pillow, or as a shredded memory foam pillow with loose pieces that can be fluffed and adjusted.
• Memory foam and polyfoam are both types of foam. A simple foam pillow will be lighter and bouncier than memory foam.
• A down pillow is made with soft clusters of goose feathers or duck feathers. Check the down fill power listed on the label; the higher the number, the lighter and loftier the down. Feathers are often mixed with 75 percent down.
• A down alternative pillow imitates that soft feel with polyester, which is a great hypoallergenic material for those who suffer from allergies.
• A hybrid pillow is a combination of materials, like foam pillows covered with a soft layer.
• Manufacturers make cooling pillows with gel, latex, or special fibers that draw the heat away.
• No matter what stuffs it, a soft pillow remains soft.

Covers matter too. A cotton cover is breathable, and a washable cover or machine-washable design keeps it clean.

Smart Features to Look For

Modern pillows contain extra functions to improve the level of comfort. You don’t need all of them, but they do help you compare.

• A washable pillow cover covers the fill.
• Pillow-in-pillow design that features a soft pillow encased in a firmer shell for a balanced feel.
• A 5-chamber design divides the fill into zones for targeted support.
• Clump-resistant fill will not bunch up in corners.
• A breathable weave allows air to flow through the cover.
• The Phase Change Material absorbs and releases heat to maintain the cooling of the surface.
• Snow technology and adaptive fibers are trademark names for the same cooling concept.
• A carrying case makes travel pillows easy to pack.

How Pillow Size Connects to Your Mattress and Bedding

Your pillow does not sit alone. It fits with your bed, your mattress, and your bed linens.

Use a pillow that fits your mattress. A twin mattress, twin XL mattress, or full XL mattress works well with one or two standard pillows. You need two queens for a queen mattress. Two kings or a combination of sizes will look best with a king mattress or California king mattress. Make sure the mattress is the right size and that your headboard and bed frame are the right size to prevent pillows from falling off the sides.

Bedding must fit in as well. Use standard and super standard pillows in a standard pillowcase, queens in a queen pillowcase, and kings in a king pillowcase. Properly sized pillowcases prevent the case from slipping. A pillow sham is a decorative pillowcase that has a finished edge, usually found on Euro pillows.

Complete the ensemble with a coordinating sheet set, soft bed sheets like percale sheets, a duvet cover, a comforter, or a bedspread. If you get the right size pillow and bedding, you create a relaxed and organised entire sleep environment.

Mattress jargon such as motion isolation, edge support, and responsiveness not only affects the bed but also influences the performance of your pillow. If the bed dips significantly, you will need a pillow with firmer support to maintain a level neck.

How to Measure a Pillow

If you know how to measure a pillow, you won’t have to purchase the wrong case. It takes less than a minute.

1. Place the pillow on a hard surface and flatten the fill.
2. Use a measuring tape, a carpenter’s tape measure, or a soft tailor’s measuring tape.
3. Take the measurement from seam to seam at the top.
4. Measure the length from side to side.
5. Round to the nearest inch, then compare against the chart above.

Never stretch the fabric when measuring. A relaxed pillow will provide you with the actual size, which is the important one for the case.

Health and Comfort Reasons to Get the Size Right

A supportive pillow can help alleviate neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, and knee pain. It can reduce stiff and sore muscles that come from poor sleep posture. A wedge pillow raises the chest to relieve acid reflux, sinus congestion, and sinus pressure.

Elevation and side sleeping can also cut down snoring. If that’s your objective, check out our suggestions for the best pillow to stop snoring. Sleep apnea patients who use a CPAP pillow wear their continuous positive airway pressure mask all night long.

Good support maintains steady blood flow and circulation by ensuring nothing gets pinched. Cooling designs aid in body heat regulation and temperature control, while a breathable cover enhances breathability. A body or pregnancy pillow relieves pressure on the back and hips for pregnant women and anyone who is pregnant.

Sleep professionals, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, emphasize the importance of consistent support and alignment in achieving a good night’s sleep. The right size is an easy way to protect both. Timing is important, too, so after you’ve sorted your pillow, you can use a sleep calculator to determine a bedtime that aligns with your sleep cycles.

Price, Value, and Versatility

Pillows are available in a wide range of prices. A simple down alternative pillow is affordable, whereas a shredded memory foam or advanced cooling pillow will cost more. Don’t assume that a higher price necessarily provides a better fit; consider feel and support as important factors.

Consider the value and versatility also. You can use a king pillow for sleeping and as a backrest, thus maximizing your dollar. For Euro and throw pillows, aesthetics are important because they are primarily responsible for the appearance of the bed.

Conclusion

The first step to finding the right pillow is the right size. This pillow size guide will help you find the right pillow for your bed, sleep position, and pillowcase. Get a tape measure, measure your pillow, and see where it doesn’t measure up on the chart above. Then choose the size that will support your neck and make your bed look neat.

Frequently Asked Question