Choosing the right pillow is vital to having a good sleep. There’s no better way to relax than to come home to a cozy bed and lay your head down on a nice and comfortable pillow.
Having the perfect pillow and positioning it correctly is essential to a good quality of sleep. It not only ensures that you get the necessary support for your head, back, and neck, but it also helps prevent different kinds of aches and pains which could result from a poor sleeping posture.
A good sleeping posture is a key to having a sound sleep every night, without waking to any stiffness. Posture involves the alignment of your whole body, from the head, neck, shoulders, through your spine, hips, and legs. If your upper body does not get efficient support or is positioned at an angle that causes twisting or crunching, you can be causing strain in your neck, shoulders, and back. Consequently, this can cause you to wake up with a lot of discomfort.
One of the important factors to consider in choosing the right pillow is its size. In terms of pillows, it is not a case of one size fits all. For many people, a standard-sized pillow can be sufficiently large, provided that they can sleep with the right posture. However, it is also best to explore other pillow sizes that are available in stores. A variety of pillow shapes and sizes are available to provide additional support and stability for your head and back.
Here is a list of different pillow sizes and their descriptions to help you choose the perfect pillow.
| Pillow Types | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Standard Size Pillow | 20 inches x 26 inches or 50.8 cm x 66.04 cm |
| Super Standard Pillow Size | 20 inches x 28 inches or 50.8 cm x 71.12 cm |
| Queen Pillow Size | 20 inches x 30 inches or 50.8 cm x 76.2 cm |
| King Pillow Size | 20 inches x 36 inches or 50.8 cm x 91.44 cm |
| Body Pillow Size | 20 inches x 54 inches or 50.8 cm x 137.16 cm |
| Neck Roll Pillow Size | 17 to 20 inches in length and with a diameter ranging between 4 to 5 inches |
| European Pillows | 25 x 25 inches or 63.5 x 63.5 cm |
| Boudoir Pillow | 12 cm x 16 inches or 30.48 cm x 40.64 cm |
| Japanese Pillow | 14 inches x 20 inches or 35.56 cm x 50.8 cm |
| Double Through Wall Meridian | 14 inches x 20 inches or 35.56 cm x 50.8 cm |
Pillow Size Chart
Besides the pillow sizes by the table above, you can find here the size chart for different types of pillows.
Standard Size Pillow
A standard size pillow measures 20 inches x 26 inches or 50.8 cm x 66.04 cm. These measurements could differ slightly depending on the brand. This pillow size is compact and is perfect to complement a twin-size mattress. Two pillows of this size could be placed across on a queen-size mattress.
This is recommended for sleepers who rarely change sleeping positions or those who sleep in one position throughout the night. This pillow size would not be suitable for combination sleepers because tossing and turning in bed when sleeping could mean that this pillow could slide off.
Super Standard Pillow Size
A super standard pillow is a more specialized pillow size with a measurement of 20 inches x 28 inches or 50.8 cm x 71.12 cm. This size is a great choice for combination sleepers because of the extra support it offers. These pillows also fit very well across twin-size beds. This size is a popular choice for bunk beds that have lifted side frames.
Queen Pillow Size
A queen-size pillow usually measures 20 inches x 30 inches or 50.8 cm x 76.2 cm, although there might be some slight differences depending on which brand you choose. The queen-size pillow is longer than the standard-size pillow, and this difference in length is very beneficial for restless sleepers.
A queen-size pillow can fit nice and snuggly in a standard pillowcase, although you can also purchase a matching queen-size pillowcase. Two of these pillows can fit perfectly across a queen size mattress, while they can be placed across the extra spaces in between a California king bed.
King Pillow Size
A King Size pillow typically measures 20 inches x 36 inches or 50.8 cm x 91.44 cm. Depending on the brands, there might be some slight variation with these measurements. This extra big pillow is a great option for active sleepers who often toss and turn in their sleep. These are also advisable for people with broader shoulders who need extra support in sleeping. For an average-sized body, these pillows can be too big and can result in poor sleeping posture.
These pillows are also excellent to use as back support when you are sitting up in bed to read or watch movies.
King-size pillows can fit perfectly across a twin bed. For decorative purposes, you can use a king-size pillow on a twin bed. Two king-size pillows can fit perfectly across a king-size bed. When placed across a twin-size bed, two king-size pillows leave no space in between them.
Body Pillow Size
Body Pillows measure 20 inches x 54 inches or 50.8 cm x 137.16 cm. This size pillow is perfect for side sleepers. These pillows give the right kind of support by curving to fit the shape of your body.
Body pillows are a popular choice for pregnant women, who often find sleeping uncomfortable and prefer to sleep on their sides. These long pillows can support their bodies as they sleep on their sides and keep them from rolling to their back or stomach.
Body pillows are also perfect for supporting the back and aligning the hips, neck, and back. Some body pillows can be curled around to support the lower or upper body and can serve as a recliner.
Because body pillows are not commonly available in stores, king-size pillows are often used as an alternative. Body pillows need a specific type of pillowcases to fit them.
King-size pillows work perfectly with king-size pillowcases for a snug and comfy fit.
Neck Roll Pillow Size
Neck Roll Pillows are known to promote a healthy resting posture. These pillows are designed to help provide proper neck support and positioning. Its smaller dimensions make it best suited for back sleepers with a smaller body build. It has a cylindrical shape, like a roll, which assists the natural curvature of the neck as you sleep.
Neck roll pillows are also called bolster pillows, yoga bolsters, or cervical pillows. These pillows can vary in size. They vary in lengths ranging anywhere between 17 to 20 inches and with a diameter ranging between 4 to 5 inches. These pillows can also be made from different materials, such as foam, gel, buckwheat, soft fiber, memory foam, and there are also inflatable varieties.
Some studies show potential therapeutic benefits of using neck pillows in sleep. Some of these benefits are:
- differentiated support for the neck, head, and shoulders;
- correct body alignment, taking a lot of strain off the spine;
- pain relief; and
- waking up feeling rested after having a good night’s sleep.
Aside from use in sleeping, neck roll pillows can also be used as travel pillows, underarm support, or for decorative purposes.
European Pillows
European pillows are usually just used for decorative purposes. These square-shaped pillows measure approximately 25 x 25 inches or 63.5 x 63.5 cm, although this size can vary. These pillows would absolutely look great on your bed or sofa. Aside from being decorative purposes, European pillows are also great for cushioning joints and providing knee support for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. They can also be used as back support when you are in bed reading a book or watching TV. Children at home also love using these pillows as floor cushions. Usually, pillow covers are available in different colors, adding vibrance to the room. The covers are also easy to change and remove for washing and cleaning.
Boudoir Pillow
A boudoir pillow comes in a cute rectangular shape and is used as a decorative. This pillow measures 12 cm x 16 inches or 30.48 cm x 40.64 cm. It is a little bit bigger than a travel pillow and can be used to bolster up another pillow. Like other decorative pillows, they can also serve some purpose in supporting the joints and other body parts to relieve pain and for a more comfortable and relaxing sleep.
Japanese Pillow
A Japanese pillow measures 14 inches x 20 inches or 35.56 cm x 50.8 cm. This size of the pillow fits perfectly with Japanese Futon bedding. This is also suitable for those who do not move much while they sleep. Two Japanese pillows would fit a standard bed. For queen and king-size beds, three or four of these pillows would be required.
Why Does Pillow Size Matter?
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right pillow, and size is among them. If you invest in the wrong size and kind of pillow, you might end up with pain. Some people think that the bigger the pillow, the better. However, this is not always the case.
Most people choose pillows depending on the size of their beds, but they need to consider how these pillow sizes may influence their sleeping posture. A very narrow pillow may not provide enough room for combination sleepers who shift positions throughout the night. A pillow that is too wide may have too much material for a narrow-shouldered sleeper.
The amount of space on the pillow makes a big difference to sleepers who toss and turn a lot, and a bigger sized bed can provide the additional room they might require. When you lie on a pillow that is too big, your head will be pushed forward. This may cause your spine to be pushed forward as well, which may result in straining and back pain. On the other hand, if your pillow is too tiny, it will flatten as you lay on it, and your neck will not have adequate support. Waking up with a stiff neck is not what we want to be greeted with in the morning.
Pillow size matters because it affects the quality of sleep and consequently the amount of rest that we need to have a healthy lifestyle.
