Standard, super standard, queen, king, body, and Euro pillow dimensions in one place — plus how many pillows fit each bed size and which pillowcase you actually need.
Pillow sizing is more confusing than it should be. The names sound like mattress sizes but don't correspond to them, "standard" and "queen" differ by only two inches, and pillowcase packaging rarely lists actual measurements. Here's the whole picture in one place — dimensions, what fits which bed, and how to pick a pillowcase that doesn't leave your pillow swimming.
All of these are 20 inches deep except the squares. That's why case width is rarely the problem — length is what varies.
Pillow names and mattress names are unrelated — a "queen" pillow is not the pillow for a queen bed. What matters is total width. Bed widths are: twin 38", full 54", queen 60", king 76", California king 72".
For a layered, made-bed look, the common formula is two sleeping pillows in front, two Euro squares behind them against the headboard, and one decorative pillow in front. On a king, use three Euros.
Size and loft do different jobs. Size determines coverage; loft — the pillow's height — determines whether your neck stays in line with your spine. Getting the size right and the loft wrong will still leave you sore.
If neck pain is what brought you here, size is the smaller lever. Our guide to choosing a pillow for neck pain covers fill and loft in more detail, and how to choose a pillow walks through the full decision.
Pillowcases are cut for a specific pillow length, and a case that's too big lets the pillow shift and bunch overnight — which is a common and easily-fixed cause of waking up with your head at an odd angle.
Sheet sets typically include cases sized to the set — a queen sheet set usually ships with standard or queen cases, a king set with king cases. Check the packaging rather than assuming. If you're rethinking your bedding generally, our comparison of percale vs. sateen sheets is a useful companion read.
A standard pillow measures 20 inches by 26 inches. It's the most widely sold pillow size in the US and the size most standard pillowcases and sheet sets are built around. A "super standard" or jumbo pillow is 20" x 28" and generally fits the same cases.
A queen pillow is 20 inches by 30 inches — four inches longer than a standard. Two of them laid side by side measure exactly 60 inches, matching the width of a queen mattress. It's a good choice for people who shift positions at night and want more surface to move across.
A king pillow measures 20 inches by 36 inches. Two side by side span 72 inches, which fits a California king exactly and leaves four inches on a standard king. King pillows also double well as a back support for sitting up in bed.
The standard Euro pillow is a 26-inch square, though 20", 22", 24", and 28" squares are all common. Euro pillows are decorative and structural rather than for sleeping — they sit upright against the headboard behind your sleeping pillows and give the bed a finished look.
Four inches of length. Standard is 20" x 26"; queen is 20" x 30". Both are the same depth. The practical difference shows up in two places: a queen pillow needs a queen pillowcase, and two queen pillows exactly span a queen bed while two standards leave a gap in the middle.
The standard arrangement is two king pillows for sleeping laid flat against the headboard, three 26-inch Euro squares standing upright behind or in front of them, and one or two decorative lumbar pillows in front. If you prefer standard pillows, use three across — they span 78 inches on a 76-inch bed, which reads as full without looking crowded.
A pillow's job is to fill the gap your mattress leaves between your head and the bed — which means the right pillow depends on how much your mattress lets your shoulder sink. A soft memory foam mattress lets the shoulder drop and needs a lower pillow; a firmer bed needs more loft to compensate.
All five of our Los Angeles showrooms let you test pillows on the mattress you're actually considering, which is the only way to get that relationship right. Take our two-minute sleep quiz for a starting recommendation, or come in and try a few — every mattress ships with our free 120-night comfort guarantee.
Skip the comparison shopping. Answer a few questions and we'll narrow it down to the mattresses that actually fit your sleep style.
Buying guides and sleep advice, no email signup required.
