Imagine your bedroom with just a bed frame and a mattress, without any pillow, bed sheet, bed cover, duvets or comforters. Does it look inviting to you? Of course, it doesn’t! A bed without a bed sheet and other bedding is like a bird without feathers. There are a handful of bed sheet sizes to choose from and adorn your bed.
In this blog post, we will deal with the different bed sheet sizes available in the US market and how they fit on a standard bed. Along the way, we will also reveal some nifty tricks to make optimum use of a bed sheet. So, keep reading!
Bed Sheet Sizes Chart
| MATTRESS TYPES | SIZES (inches) | FITTED SHEETS (Inches) | FLAT SHEET (Inches) | COMFORTER (Inches) | BED SKIRT (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 28 x 52 | 28 x 52 - 54 | NA | 30 - 36 x 46 - 50 | NA |
| Twin | 38 x 75 | 39 - 40 x 75 - 76 | 60 - 75 x 90 -102 | 68 x 86 | 38 x 75 |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 39 - 40 x 80 | 60 - 75 x 102 -114 | 68 x 90 | 38 x 80 |
| Full/Double | 54 x 75 | 54 - 55 x 76 | 84 - 90 x 90 - 96 | 86 x 86 | 54 x 75 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 62 x 82 | 92 - 102 x 88 - 115 | 90 x 90 | 60 x 80 |
| Standard King | 76 x 80 | 78 x 82 | 102 - 110 x 88 - 115 | 104 - 106 x 90 - 92 | 76 x 80 |
| California King | 72 x 84 | 73 x 84 - 85 | 108 - 111 x 102 - 114 | 102 x 96 | 72 x 84 |
Crib size sheet dimensions
Crib-size sheets are soft and thin to provide the best comfort for newborns, infants, and toddlers. Sheets are the only bedding cover you will get for crib size, as crib size bed skirts don't exist, and babies cannot sleep on flat sheets.
Twin size sheet dimensions
Twin mattresses, bedding, and sheets are perfect for kids or teens, single adults, bunk beds, studio apartments, and houses with limited sleeping space.
If you cannot find twin-size sheets, look for single sheets, as it is another name for twin size.
Twin XL sheet dimensions
Twin XL mattresses are common in school, college, and university dormitories as they are 5 inches longer than the twin mattress and can fit quite tall sleepers. They are compatible with standard-sized rooms and bunk beds.
The bed sheet sizes perfect for a twin XL mattress are twin XL fitted sheets and flat sheets.
Full (double) sheet dimensions
Full-size mattresses have the same length as the twin but are 16 inches wider. It’s perfect for an adult who enjoys personal space while sleeping or likes to sleep with a pet. When you are shopping for sheets for a full bed, remember that they may be available in stores as double size sheets and bedding.
Queen size sheets dimensions
Queen beds are best for couples and can fit people above 6 feet in height. If you like to move around and like a lot of personal sleeping space, or if you cannot sleep without your pet, then a queen bed should be your ideal choice.
Queen size flat sheets are much bigger than the queen bed, while the queen-fitted sheet fits the mattress perfectly. Just so you know, a full-size flat sheet is another name for a queen size flat sheet.
King-size sheets dimensions
King-size bed sheets are made to fit a king-size bed - the largest among the standard-sized mattress dimensions. King-size beds may feel a little lonely to single sleepers. However, when paired with a nice body pillow or accompanied by a pet, king size bed is the perfect size to give you all the space you need.
King flat sheets are costly as they are largest among the standard bed sheet sizes and require a lot of fabric to make.
California king-size sheet dimensions
A California king mattress is 4 inches shorter in width but 4 inches longer in length as compared to a king bed. In fact, a California king is another style of king-size bed; so you can say that the cal king bed sheet is an alternative king-sized sheet.
However, you cannot use a California king fitted sheet on a king-size mattress and vice versa.
Pillowcase sizes corresponding to bedsheets
Pillowcase sizes are almost the same as that of the relative pillows. They have the same length, but they are generally wider so as to allow the pillow to expand slowly as the pillow gets accustomed to the weight of the sleeper’s head and any other impact the pillow might endure.
The standard pillowcase sizes are:
- Standard Size Pillowcase: 20 inches x 32 inches
- Queen Size Pillowcase: 20 inches x 30 inches
- King Size Pillowcase: 20 x 36 inches
- Body Size Pillowcase: 20 x 54 inches
Why are bed sheets important?
Bed sheets form the uppermost layer that serves two purposes: it protects your mattress from dirt, dust, and grime; it is also the layer that is in close contact with the sleeper. Take a look at the common types of mattress protectors:
Fitted Sheets
Fitted sheets are elasticated at the edges, and they have the exact size of the mattress. Big bed sheet sizes may fit small mattresses (in dire cases), but the reverse is not possible. Fitted bed sheets are available for all regular and hybrid mattress sizes. Ideally, a style of fitted sheet should only be used with its corresponding mattress.
Flat Sheets
Unlike a fitted sheet, flat sheets are bigger than the mattresses they are made for as they are not elasticated and need to be tucked under them. You will know whether the new sheets are good for your mattress if you look at the sheet’s dimensions.
If the flat sheet is bigger than your mattress by at least 4 inches, then you will have a good fit. Naturally, a small flat sheet will fall short of fitting your mattress properly.
Duvet Cover
Duvet covers are nothing but a covering for your comforter that drapes along the edge of the mattress and covers it completely. Unlike bed sheets, you cannot tuck the comforter under the mattress. Duvet covers range between 70 - 100 inches in width and 70 - 106 inches in length. For best results, get right size duvet cover that nicely complements your comforter size.
Bed Skirt
If you do not use a mattress foundation or your bed frame does not have a solid bottom, a bed skirt comes to your rescue and bridges the gap between the bed and the floor. However, instead of a bed skirt, you can also use an oversized bed sheet and let the sheet hang along the sides instead of tucking it.
How to find the right bed sheet for you?
Finding the right flat sheet starts with knowing the dimensions - length, width, and mattress depth. If you know them, well done. Else, you can follow these steps quickly and get to know your mattress size:
Measure your mattress
Step 1: Strip your bed of everything - sheets, pillows, linens and bare the mattress
Step 2: Take a measuring tape and hold it end to end from one side of the mattress to another. As you measure across, you now have the width
Step 3: To measure the length, hold the tape from along the center and measure it end to end from the top to the bottom of the mattress.
Step 4: To measure the mattress depth, pick a point on the upper edge of the mattress and work your way down to the corresponding lowest point on the mattress’s lower edge. Be careful not to include your box spring or foundation in this process.
Getting a fitted sheet
You know how fitted sheets work by now. The efficiency of a fitted sheet depends on the thickness of your mattress, otherwise known as fitted sheet pocket depth. The standard fitted sheet sizes are:
- Standard: 7 to 12-inch mattress
- Deep: 13 to 17-inch mattress
- Extra: 18 to 25-inch mattress
FAQs
1. How often should you replace the bed sheets?
A good bed sheet can last for a long time if used properly. However, if you don’t like the aged and faded look of an old bed sheet, you can replace your old sheets once every 2 - 3 years. Here are pointers to help you understand whether it’s time to re-furnish your bedding:
- Fading colors and prints
- Thinning of fabric
- Sheets tear easily
- Threads become loose and come out from the sides
- Yellowing of the sheet due to bodily oils
2. How to wash bed sheets so that they last for a long time?
Bedsheets need to be washed once every two weeks to keep them clean and make them last longer. However, you can wash it more frequently according to your convenience.
3.Which fabrics make the best bed sheets?
People are partial to some fabrics more than others. So, both silk and cotton can be excellent or poor-quality bed sheets - your comfort depends on your preference. Here we have listed the best fabrics that help make good quality bed sheets:
COTTON
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. It is soft to touch, breathable, affordable, and lasts long if you care for it. Moreover, you won’t find a lot of people who are allergic to cotton. Thus, cotton fabric is suitable for people of all age groups - from infants to the aged.
Bed sheets made from high thread count Organic cotton, Egyptian cotton, and Pima cotton are the most comfortable cotton sheets.
TENCEL
Cellulose from eucalyptus trees is used to create this natural fabric. Sheets made from Tencel are soft and have moisture-wicking properties. They are breathable too - this regulates body temperature while sleeping. However, Tencel sheets will be fairly expensive as the fabric itself needs to be prepared industrially through a lengthy process.
BAMBOO RAYON
It is a soft and silky all-natural fabric that makes cozy and durable bedsheets. Moreover, sheet piling is absent in bamboo rayon sheets.
POLYESTER
Lastly, you have very affordable polyester sheets. They are easily washable, thus resistant to stains; they don’t wrinkle and are resistant to wear and tear. As a result, polyester sheets last for a long time. However, they may feel uncomfortable to people with sensitive skin.
4.Where to find bed sheets for non-standard mattresses?
Vendors and retailers who custom make or sell non-standard mattresses have stocks of non-standard bed sheet size and other bedding, like comforters and duvets. However, if you cannot find them ready-made at these vendors, then you have to place an order to get them custom-made. Looking online may also get you some good leads.
Conclusion
Our recommendation is to pick a bed sheet size that complements your mattress. Before you buy, assess the sheets' size, quality, and durability so that they don’t disintegrate after washing or on continued use. Whether you buy a loose bedsheet or a fitted sheet, know what mattress and bed frame size you have at hand.
Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.