Guide to Bed Sheet Sizes
Find the perfect fit.
Looking for bed sheets may be confusing for a first-time buyer. Sheets labeled “twin” from one company probably will have different measurements from another company’s twin sheets. Mattresses with extra padding or a mattress topper may require a change in the depth of your sheets. Read on to find out how you can determine which bed sheet size you need.
Check the Chart: Standard Bed Sheet Sizes
How to Pick the Right Bed Sheet Size
Check the Chart: Fitted-Sheet Pocket Depth
Consider Sheet Overhang
Pillowcase Sizes
Check the Chart: Standard Bed Sheet Sizes
Standard bed sheet sizes vary between linen producers, but they tend to be close to the sizes found in the chart above. Note that fitted bed sheets will usually have the measurements of the type of mattress they are supposed to fit – they are typically measured as they fit across the top of a mattress. Make sure you always check the size of sheets before purchasing to ensure they are your preferred dimensions.
How to Pick the Right Bed Sheet Size
Believe it or not, picking the right bed sheet size is all about the mattress size. When you’re picking out bed sheets, the first thing you should do is measure your mattress. Make sure you measure the width, length, and depth of the mattress. Here are a few steps you can follow:
Step 1: Take off the sheets and pillows. Before you begin, make sure that all linens are removed from your mattress so you can measure accurately.
Step 2: Measure the width. Using a tape measure, measure across your mattress. Since your mattress curves at the top, take this measurement from the middle of your bed to find the widest point.
Step 3: Measure the length. Measure from the top to the bottom of your mattress to determine the length. Once again, do this in the middle of your bed to avoid the curved sides of the mattress.
Step 4: Measure the depth. Start at a corner of your mattress and measure vertically from the top seam to the bottom seam. If you’re using a mattress topper, measure from the top seam of the topper to the bottom seam of the mattress. We measure depth because some mattresses are much deeper than others and require special deep-pocket sheets.
Once you determine the dimensions of your mattress, you can begin looking for a set of sheets.
Check the Chart: Fitted-Sheet Pocket Depth
It’s very important to consider pocket depth before buying fitted bed sheets. If your fitted bed sheets are too shallow for your mattress, they will not be able to tuck under the sides and stay in place. Keep in mind that pocket size varies between linen manufacturers, and you should always check both your mattress’s dimensions and the sheets’ pocket size before you purchase.
Pocket depth can be a little tricky, because the term describes the dimensions of the sheet instead of the mattress depth it will fit. To determine if a pocket depth will fit your mattress, subtract 2" from the pocket depth. If the remaining size is larger than or the same as your mattress depth, the sheets will fit.
Tip!
If the fitted bed sheets’ description provides information about "mattress height" or "mattress depth" instead of pocket depth, then those sheets will fit a mattress of the given height – no subtraction needed.
Consider Sheet Overhang
Make sure you think about how much you want your flat sheets to hang off your mattress. You can determine how wide and long you would like your sheets to be with a few simple equations. These equations can be used to find a sheet that will perfectly hang over the bottom end of your mattress and the two sides. If you would like to be able to tuck your sheets on three sides, add a few inches to the mattress depth in the equation as you see fit. Doing your own math is always a good idea to find the perfect fit.
Tip!
Some sheet sets come with a split king–size option. A split king bed is essentially two twin XL mattresses on a king-size bed. A split king sheet set comes with two fitted sheets for the mattresses, and sometimes one king-size flat sheet and pillowcases. For more information about bedding, check out our guide Basic Parts of Bedding You Need to Know.
Pillowcase sizes can range depending on manufacturer, but typically they are similar to the sizes in this chart. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pillow sizes – stacking a variety of sizes on a queen- or king-size bed can be a fun decor effect!
Standard: Standard pillowcases are typically meant for twin, twin XL, and double beds. These pillowcases are just the right size to fit two on a double bed.
Queen: Queen pillowcases are a bit wider than standard pillowcases, and two are meant to fit the width of a queen bed.
King: King pillowcases are wider than queen pillowcases, and two can fit snuggly side by side on a standard king-size bed.
Tip!
Hate flat pillows? Buy a roomier pillowcase in the next size up so your pillow can fully fluff up. If you like slim pillows, choose the same size pillowcase to keep it in place.
If you’d like to learn more about bed, blanket, and quilt sizes, check out our guides Blanket & Quilt Sizes for All Your Needs and What Are the Most Common Bed Sizes?
Now that you know all about flat and fitted bed sheet sizes, check out all Wayfair has to offer.
