What is the difference between standard and king pillowcases

Therefore, stomach sleepers need a low loft pillow to help lessen the curve and reduce tension. Stomach sleepers may also benefit from placing a smaller pillow under their hips—this will lift the hips slightly and bring the lower half of the spine in alignment with the head and neck.

A medium loft pillow is ideal for combination sleepers because it will keep the head and neck supported no matter which position you rest in. Combination sleepers also benefit from a longer pillow. The right pillow size for you will depend on the size of your bed and your sleep position.

If you are a combination sleeper and tend to toss and turn during the night, it is best to opt for a longer pillow. The extra length of a queen or king pillow will keep your head and beck supported as you change positions.

A standard pillow will need a standard size pillowcase. However, if you are unsure of the size, you can find the correct dimension by measuring the length and width of the pillow. Once you know the dimensions of your pillow, you can select a pillowcase size that works for you. Pillowcases are made of the same material as bed sheets. Most sheet sets come with two pillowcases in the same color and fabric as the sheets.

While pillowcases are designed for sleeping, pillow shams serve a more decorative purpose. Pillow shams are typically made of a heavy, coarser material that matches the bedspread or duvet cover.

Depending on the fabric, pillow shams may not be comfortable for sleeping. Pillow shams also have a slit that runs across the middle of the back of the pillow and often closes with an overlapping piece of fabric. Standard pillowcases measure 20 to 21 inches by 30 by 32 inches. Since a queen size pillow measures 20 inches by 30 inches, these pillows can typically fit comfortably in a standard size pillowcase.

In this case, it may be helpful to opt for a king size pillowcase since queen pillowcases are not readily available. Euro pillows measure 26 inches by 26 inches. These pillows have a large square shape and are typically used for decoration to add dimension to a bed.

However, some sleepers prefer to use Euro pillows as a support pillow for the back. The right pillow size and loft can help create an inviting sleep space, but, more importantly, it can improve the quality of your sleep. When selecting the right length, keep in mind your mattress size. When choosing the correct loft, consider your preferred sleep position. The correct loft will keep the spine in a safe, neutral position. Your email address will not be published.

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Whenever possible, we strive to have our articles fact-checked by our independent review board. We also do not tolerate plagiarism or ill intent from our contributors. Our writers are sleep coaches certified by the Spencer Institute , which has been training coaches since Becoming a certified sleep coach means that our writers are well-versed in various sleep science matters, taking us beyond being just a group of mattress reviewers.

Bedding Guides. Pillow Sizes The following sizing chart outlines the dimensions of the five standard pillow sizes in the United States. Queen Size Pillow Queen size pillows measure 20 inches by 30 inches, so they are 4 inches longer than a standard pillow. King Size Pillow A standard king size pillow measures 20 inches by 36 inches—6 inches longer than a queen size pillow. Body Pillow Body pillows have the same width as the three pillows described above, but these pillows measure 54 inches in length.

Orthopedic Orthopedic pillows are designed to keep the spine aligned with the head and neck to alleviate pressure and help the back muscles relax. Wedge Pillow A wedge pillow has a triangular shape that is tapered on an incline. Pillow Materials The type of pillow will determine the comfort level and lift it provides. Memory Foam Memory foam is a highly responsive material that quickly molds to the body for pressure-free support. Down Down makes for incredibly fluffy and soft pillows.

Down Alternative For those who are allergic to the down, an alternative down pillow is a hypoallergenic and affordable alternative. Side Sleeping When resting on your side, there will be a gap between the head and the surface of the mattress. Back Sleeping Back sleepers need to keep the head and neck aligned with the spine to avoid tension and pressure buildup in the back and neck. Stomach Sleeping Stomach sleeping exaggerates the natural curve of the spine, putting pressure on the neck and back.

Combination Sleeping A medium loft pillow is ideal for combination sleepers because it will keep the head and neck supported no matter which position you rest in. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best size pillow to sleep on?

How much bigger should a pillowcase be than the pillow? Will a queen pillow fit in a standard pillowcase? What size is a Euro pillow? However, cotton tends to bunch up under your head as you sleep, which can leave slight marks on your skin.

Nylon pillows are another option that you could pursue. Nylon has the appearance of satin at a cheaper price. However, nylon is not an absorbent material, and your face can get sweaty when using it. When you wash nylon pillow cases, they will dry quickly and be ready for the next use. Velvet pillowcases are not a common material but are still used sometimes. It is very comfortable against your skin when you sleep.

The problem with velvet is that it can get very warm during the summer. This can be combated with a fan or AC. It is also difficult to wash velvet. This question is tricky to answer because everyone has their own unique preferences as to how they sleep best.

However, there are a few guidelines to follow for a general idea. People who usually sleep on their side or stomach, in particular, tend to squish their pillow up while they sleep. This means that the pillow is creating a sort of mold around its head. This will maintain the softness and height.

If you are this kind of sleeper, the best pillow for you might be a smaller sized one. This could be a standard sized one, or even smaller. This is because the king and queen sized pillows will typically have a lot more volume than a smaller one. Other sleepers actually prefer to keep their pillow on top of their head, to avoid any light or noise sneaking through. Again, a king or queen pillow might not be best, due to their heavier weight and size. Our Pillow Sizes Chart below shows the most common sizes for each type of pillow but keep in mind that sizes can vary greatly so be sure to look at the size if you need something specific.

As well, some manufacturers quote the height of the pillow as the height of the gusset and others are measuring the entire pillow height. You may have to ask for more clarification when ordering online if the pillow dimensions are important to your purchase.

At Pacific Coast, we quote the height of the pillow as size of the gusset. We also subtract the size of the gusset from the height and width dimensions. You will find a Queen sized Pacific Coast pillow with a 2" gusset described as 18" x 28" x 2".

This pillow will still fit perfectly in a 20 x 30 pillow case. It might sound simple to just buy a king pillow for a king bed but actually, you can use any or all size pillows on a king sized bed. A good rule of thumb is to match the pillow size to your bed size but from there, you can get creative.

Here are a few classics to get you started finding your own style:. There are two sizes of bed pillow cases: Standard and King. Standard size is designed to fit three pillow sizes: Standard, Super Standard and Queen.

Some sleepers — usually side and stomach sleepers— like to mold and squish their pillow up, even several times a night, so that it keeps its loft and softness and conforms around their head.

These sleepers often find that a king sized pillow or even a queen sized pillow has too much volume and prefer a Standard or Super Standard size. Other sleepers like a pillow over their head to shield themselves from light and noise.