What Size Bed Sheets Do I Need?

Twin

• The twin, or single, mattress is 39 inches wide and 75 inches long. Single mattresses are ideal for one child or adult. Fitted sheets for a twin bed are sold as 39-by-75 inches. The flat sheets are 97-by-66 inches, and pillowcases are 20-by-30 inches.

Twin XL

• Twin-XL beds are 39 inches wide and 80 inches long. Generally, twin-XL beds are used in dorm rooms to accommodate taller adults. Bedding is harder to find for this size mattress because of the additional length. Flat sheets for the twin XL are 66-by-96 inches and fitted sheets are 39-80 inches. The pillowcase is 20-by-30 inches.

Full

• Full beds are also known as double beds. The size of the mattress is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. Double beds are smaller and don't leave much room for two adults but could be used for two children or a child's next bed after a single bed. Each person has 27 inches of sleeping space. Flat sheets for the full-size bed are 86-by-96 inches. Fitted mattress sheets are 54-by-75 inches. Standard pillowcases are 21 inches wide by 32 inches long.

Queen

• Queen-size beds are wider and longer than a double bed. The width is 60 inches and the length is 80 inches. These beds are longer for taller adults. Each person in the bed has 30 inches of sleeping space. Queen-size fitted mattress sheets are 60-by-80 inches. The flat sheet is 94-by-104 inches. Queen-size beds use standard pillowcases.

King

• King-size mattresses measure 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. Each person has 38 inches of sleeping room. The length is ideal for taller people. King-size flat bed sheets are 110-by-104 inches. The fitted sheets are 78-by-80 inches. Pillowcases for a king-size bed are 21 inches wide and 42 inches long.

California King

• California-king mattresses are 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. Although you lose some width, the bed is 4 inches longer than the king-size bed mattress, which can accommodate really tall people. Flat sheets are 110-by-104 inches and the fitted sheets are 74-by-84 inches. Pillowcases for the California king are the same size as the king-size pillowcases.