The most prominent purpose of a pillowcase is to safeguard your pillow from unwanted spills, stains, and other mishaps. Apart from that, a good, breathable pillowcase that fits your pillow just right happens to revamp your sleep routine like nothing else!
But when you are out shopping, the material of your pillowcase is not the only thing to consider. There's something equally important – the size of your pillow. Here in this guide, we tell you everything about the standard pillowcase sizes, as well as the dimensions of specialty pillowcases, so you exactly know what you need to go for.
Pillowcase Sizes Chart
Below is a chart comprising the most commonly available pillowcase sizes in the market as per the standard pillow sizes.
| Pillowcase Size | Measurements (inches) | Measurements (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 20 inches × 26 inches | 51 × 56 cm |
| Queen | 20 inches × 30 inches | 51 × 76 cm |
| King | 20 inches × 36 inches | 51 × 92 cm |
| Body | 20 inches × 54 inches | 51 × 137 cm |
Standard Size Pillowcase
20 inches × 26 inches | 51 × 56 cm
Standard size pillowcases are the most widely purchased by consumers. With dimensions of 20 inches by 26 inches, these fit both standard and queen size pillows. The extra material on one side of a standard pillowcase size makes up for the longer length of a queen pillow while still looking fancy enough.
For the most part, standard pillowcases pair best with pillows that can fit on twin or twin XL mattresses. Some people, however, use a couple of these pillow sizes for full size beds and queen size beds. In case you have a king sized bed and prefer using standard pillows, you might have to use three of those to finish the look.
The super standard size pillow is another variant of the standard pillow. Although it is exceptionally rare, some people find it useful. The super standard pillow is two inches longer than the standard, making it fit larger pillows.
Queen Size Pillowcase
20 inches × 30 inches | 51 × 76 cm
Measuring 20 inches by 30 inches, the queen pillows are four inches longer than the standard size pillows – and so are their corresponding pillowcases!
When you have a queen sized bed and you want pillows that match impeccably, queen size pillows are undeniably your best bet. And as one would expect, queen pillowcases encase these pillow sizes properly without bunching up at the ends.
Also, some sleepers like a fuller and proportionate look for their full size beds. A single queen pillow, accompanied by a queen pillowcase size, is a great combination, for that matter.
King Size Pillowcase
20 inches × 36 inches | 51 × 92 cm
King size pillowcases are meant to accommodate king size pillows. Unless they have something really big to cover, these are typically the largest pillowcase sizes that most people go with. With a 20-inch width and 36-inch length, a king pillowcase size happens to be ten inches longer than the standard size and is too large for pillows that are smaller than the king.
If you have a king size mattress, you have 76 inches of space widthwise. And two king pillows can be easily placed side by side across this space. They'd even work on a California king size bed!
A single king size pillow also fits fine in smaller beds meant for single sleepers.
Body Size Pillowcase
20 inches × 54 inches | 51 × 137 cm
As the name suggests, body pillowcases are designed to fit over body pillow sizes. These are 20 inches wide and 54 inches long, making them the largest and the longest pillowcases one can buy!
The shape of your body pillow will most probably determine what kind of pillowcase you need. The standard body pillow size is the I-shaped pillow that usually comes with a matching pillowcase. On the other hand, if you have C-shaped, U-shaped, or J-shaped body pillows, you might have to order something custom for yourself.
Other Specialty Pillowcase Sizes
Specialty pillows are specially constructed pillows that come in various shapes and are meant to meet different requirements of different sleepers. You may have to do your research and find custom-made pillowcases that can complement them well for such pillows. That's so because these pillowcases typically do not follow common sizing guidelines and are hence not easily readily available in the market.
Below, we discuss specialty pillowcase sizes for specialty pillows, including euro, orthopedic, travel, throw, and pregnancy pillows.
Euro Pillow
Euro pillows (also known as euro sham pillows) are large, square pillows used decoratively on beds. These measure around 26 inches by 26 inches and go inside specially designed euro pillowcases. Usually, these pillows are placed behind the textured standard, queen, or king pillows to add to the visual appeal of a room. Euro pillows, as their name suggests, are extremely popular in Europe. Even in America, many families use euro pillows as back support while reading books or watching TV.
Although you might be tempted to think otherwise, it is always better to cover these pillows with their respective euro sham pillowcases to ensure that they remain clean throughout.
Travel Pillow
Carrying big pillows on trips is not convenient at all. This is why a lot of people prefer using a travel pillow instead. Travel pillows are compact and come in two different sizes – rectangular and C-shaped. The rectangular pillows are essentially smaller variations of the standard size pillows. Also known as toddler pillows, these pillows measure around 12 inches by 16 inches and provide the necessary head support during car drives and plane rides. The pillowcases that go with them are pretty easy to find and come in various colors and patterns.
Travelers prefer c-shaped travel pillows since these pillows wrap around their neck and relieve pressure exactly where they need it the most during long, tiring journeys. As far as their pillowcases are concerned, they are quite rare. The covers are built-in and cannot be removed most of the time.
Throw Pillow
Throw pillows are mostly used for decorative purposes as they make living rooms look much more sophisticated. These come in various shapes and sizes, the square-shaped ones being the most popular. Among all kinds of pillowcases, throw pillowcases offer a unique variety of options. You can find them in a wide range of colors, designs, and patterns to suit your needs and style preferences.
Orthopedic
Orthopedic pillows are designed to support specific body parts and come in unique shapes and sizes. Each shape complies with orthopedic guidelines to give way to healthier sleep postures. Different orthopedic pillows fulfill different sleeping needs – some are made to rest under your head, while others are to be kept beneath your legs. So basically, orthopedic pillows are therapeutic pillows are made to support almost every part of the human body.
When you are on the lookout for an orthopedic pillowcase, know that finding the right match will not be a piece of cake. Its distinctive shape will probably have you ordering a custom design for yourself. However, do not forget to check with the brand and see if the pillow by default comes with a pillowcase or if the company sells it separately.
Pregnancy Pillows
Pregnancy pillows are special pillows that make sleeping during pregnancy more comfortable. These come in a vast range of shapes, sizes, fabrics, and fillings to aid a person's body as it grows during pregnancy. Some are wedge-like or bean-shaped that can fit under your baby bump or between your knees, while others are extra-long and support your entire body. Pillowcases for such pillows are either irremovable or custom-made.
Do Pillows Always Need a Pillowcase
Well, most of the time, they do! It is imperative to keep your pillows inside pillowcases to protect their materials from dust and dander. In addition, you may also consider using waterproof pillow protectors that shield your pillows from liquids and allergens.
With that said, some pillows do not need a pillowcase or come with a specialty case. For instance, some pillows that relieve neck pain exhibit a distinctive design that prevents you from slipping a conventional pillowcase over it. In general, however, pillowcases are a must-have.
Below are a few benefits of pillowcases:
- Protects the pillow from dirt and damage.
- Holds the filling together, thus protecting it from wear and tear.
- Protect you from sleeping directly on pillow fillings, which can cause allergies in some people.
- Pillowcases are easy to remove and wash, making them easy to clean compared to washing the pillow itself. This helps extend the life of the pillow.
Conclusion
Finding the right pillowcase size to cover your pillow is more than crucial. Overly small pillowcases can damage the stuffings of the pillows and cause them to flatten, while extra-large pillowcases give an inferior look overall. So, when you are hunting for your perfect match, make sure that the pillowcase you buy does not fit improperly, by any chance. Our guide outlines all the pillowcase sizes available in the market and gives you detailed information concerning each of them. Once you know which size shall go best with your needs, you may move on to selecting the color, pattern, and fabric of your pillowcase.
Happy shopping!
