Bed Pillow Sizes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Ones for Your Sleep Style

Sleep hygiene, environmental factors, and your bed setup can all affect a good night's rest. But when it comes to improving sleep, many gravitate toward a new mattress while overlooking sheets and pillows. These components can play an equally vital role in achieving an undisturbed slumber.

If you're trying to find the right pillow for your sleep, our guide will walk you through each pillow type, size, and material. We've also sprinkled in helpful tips on finding the best pillow based on your body mechanics and sleeping position.

Bedroom Pillow Sizes

Standard Pillow: 20" x 26"

A standard pillow is ideal for a full-size or twin mattress. Because full-size mattresses are 53 inches wide, you can fit two standard pillows. A twin mattress, however, will only fit one.

Super Standard Pillow: 20" x 28"

An in-between size, super-standard pillows are just two inches wider than a standard bed pillow. These pillows can accommodate a queen, twin, or full-size mattress.

Queen Pillow: 20" x 30"

As the name suggests, queen pillows are designed to work with queen mattresses. Queen mattresses have a standard width of 60 inches, so you can easily add two queen pillows for the perfect fit. You can even use a queen pillow on a twin-size mattress for a fuller look.

King Pillow: 20" x 36"

King-size pillows are best suited for king or California king mattresses. Although you can fit a king-size pillow on a twin mattress, you'll be left with only 1 inch of space on each side. So if you're aiming for a fuller look, this swap can work well for your needs. Keep in mind that king pillows require king pillowcases and will not fit inside a standard pillowcase.

Body Pillow: 20" x 54"

Body pillows are the longest bed pillow size and can only fit straight across a king or queen bed.

Pillow Types by Function

Body Pillows

Body pillows can be great sleeping tools that promote proper spinal alignment, alleviating pressure on your hips and back. Consider placing a body pillow between your legs as you sleep on your side to reap its benefits. Keep in mind body pillows come in a variety of shapes, from cylindrical to rectangular and even U-shaped, so it's worth researching the best type for you and your comfort needs.

Wedge Pillows

Wedge pillows can be used to elevate your upper body or legs as you sleep to improve circulation or help you breathe more easily. You can also use a wedge pillow to prop you up in bed as you read or watch TV.

Orthopedic Pillows

Similar to body pillows, this option contours to your body and comes in myriad shapes and sizes. However, each orthopedic pillow features a specific ergonomic design that also helps to alleviate pressure in particular areas of your body. For example, some will contour to your neck to support your spine or curve to give you space for your shoulders if you're a side sleeper.

Pregnancy Pillows

To help pregnant people avoid sleeping on their backs, pregnancy pillows support side sleeping. These pillows fully encircle your body and provide a cushion to bolster between your legs.

Travel Pillows

Travel pillows are designed to be portable without sacrificing comfort. Whether you're traveling by car, train, or plane, you can pick a travel pillow in the best shape, size, and material for you. The horseshoe is one of the most widely available shapes. This travel pillow option fits snugly around your neck, while some iterations are even inflatable, allowing for easy transport.

Pillow Materials

Memory Foam Pillow

Memory foam supports your head and neck alignment thanks to its flexible and squishy material that molds to your body structure. Most memory foam pillows are constructed from polyurethane (a type of plastic) foam mixed with chemicals to allow for its elasticity and viscosity.

Natural Latex

An alternative to memory foam, natural latex pillows can mimic a foam's conformability but forego its chemical composition. Take for example JUVEA pillows, which are made from 100% natural latex from rubber trees. The result is a buoyant foam that holds its density, recovers easily, and provides superior breathable support.

Wool

Wool pillows provide another alternative to memory foam. Wool is naturally flame retardant, hypoallergenic, and mold, mildew, and dust mite resistant. Wool pillows work well for sleepers looking for high-quality support backed by an eco-friendly mission. The Wool Room has several wool pillow options and some are even machine-washable.

Down

Down simply refers to the feathers extracted from the underbelly of swans, geese, or ducks. Feather pillows are different, as this component is taken from the wings of these birds (not their underbelly).

Down Alternative

A feather substitute, down-alternative fibers aim to duplicate the look and feel of a down pillow. This can be an unfussy option for allergy sufferers or those who do not prefer down filling as it can shed and poke through the pillow. Typically, down alternative fibers can be made from either synthetic or natural materials like polyester, microfiber, cotton, wool, or silk.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, so it's a sustainable material to use for pillows. It also naturally wicks heat and moisture, which makes it a top pick for hot sleepers who need a pillow that keeps them dry and cool.

Pillow Cleaning Considerations

When it comes to cleaning pillows, there's a range of options depending on the pillow material and size you pick. Some pillows may require commercial-size washing machines, while others can be washed at home. And some cannot be washed at all.

Your pillow material will also determine your care instructions. Some materials like wool and silk require a delicate or material-specific detergent while others can only be dry-cleaned.

Pillow Design Styles

Typically not used for functional purposes, throw pillows and Euro pillows (26"x26") add to the visual appearance of your bed. Many times, you'll see three Euro pillows arranged at the back of a King bed and two for a queen bed. There are several ways to arrange throw and Euro sham pillows. How to find the best look for you will depend on your design style, bed setup, and overall preferences.

Best Pillows for Temperature Control

Some pillow varieties are designed for hot sleepers and can help keep you cool at night, while some synthetic fibers can trap heat, a possible option for colder climates. Cotton is a safe option for both hot and cool sleepers, but this may vary based on your needs.

Pillow Lofts

A pillow's loft refers to its height as it lays flat. A lower loft equals a thinner pillow and a higher loft equals a thicker pillow. Picking the right loft depends on your sleeping position and comfort. Most often, lower loft pillows are ideal for stomach sleepers, while medium or high loft pillows work well for side or back sleepers. Skipping this part of your pillow research can potentially cause aches and pains, so it's essential to test your pillow to determine the right fit for you and your sleeping position.

Pillow Prices

Prices vary depending on a pillow's fill and cover. For example, natural materials like silk, wool, and cotton are often more expensive than synthetic fibers like polyester. Prioritizing your pillow type and material can point you in the right direction of how much you'll need to spend. Keep in mind that price doesn't always dictate the best quality. You may not need a high-end pillow to achieve your sleep needs or vice versa; you may require specific cooling fibers or orthopedic support, which will bump up your costs.

Choosing the Best Bed Pillow

Reading online reviews and information about pillow types will only guide you so far. The best method for finding the right pillow for you is to narrow down your options by:

1. Your sleeping position
2. Material preference
3. Sizing needs

Then, look for a pillow that offers a return period or sleep trial so you can test out your pillow for several nights. This will increase your probability of investing in the right pillow for you.