Down Pillow Size Guide

Sizes for Sleeping

• The bedding industry has standardized pillow sizes, whether down or man-made, so pillows manufactured and sold throughout the U.S. fit the pillowcases and shams manufactured and sold throughout the U.S. Standard size bed pillows, sometimes called twin or full pillows, are 20 inches tall and 26 inches wide. Queen size pillows are 20 x 30 inches, and king size pillows are 20 x 36 inches. European pillows are 26 inches square. They are used to dress beds but are usually not slept on.

Sizes for Accessorizing

• Throw pillows, also called toss pillows or accent pillows, come in a wide variety of sizes. Their sizes are somewhat standardized, although not as strictly as bed pillows. Throw pillows are usually smaller than bed pillows and can be rectangular, square, round or just about any shape. Some common square sizes are 16, 18 and 20 inches. Rectangular pillows are often 16 x 24 inches. Round pillows are comparable to square ones, often 16 or 18 inches in diameter.

Specialty Pillows

• Many specialty pillows are made with down filling. While travel pillows are usually 12 x 16 inches and body pillows are approximately 20 x 54 inches, many specialty pillows, such as ring bearer pillows, wedges, reading pillows and neck rolls, do not have standard sizes.

Other Considerations

• The thickness of a down pillow is determined by the amount of stuffing inside. Down pillows can be customized to the thickness you prefer. Although down pillows become flattened over time, you can fluff them to return them to their original state. To prevent tiny down particles from escaping your pillow and lessening your pillow's volume, purchase a pillow with a very tightly-woven cover, and keep it covered with a pillow cover and pillowcase at all times.