Pillow Sizes and Pillowcase Sizes: Standard, Queen, King
The standard pillowcase size in the US is the one meant for a standard pillow of about 20 × 26 in. Pillowcase sizes follow the three common pillow sizes (standard, queen and king), which usually measure 20 × 26, 20 × 30 and 20 × 36 in; in the UK, where sizes are mostly given in centimeters, a standard pillow usually measures 50 × 75 cm instead. Whichever size you have, measure your pillow and compare its measurements with the size stated for the pillowcase.
Standard pillowcase size
Our Standard silk pillowcase measures 50 × 66 cm (about 19.7 × 26.0 in). We state our sizes in centimeters; the inch figures in parentheses in this guide are conversions, rounded to one decimal place, with one inch equal to 2.54 cm.
As a general figure, a standard pillow in the US usually measures 20 × 26 in, or about 51 × 66 cm. It is the smallest of the three common US bed pillow sizes. To see how a pillowcase compares with your pillow, set the two sets of figures side by side, width against width and length against length.
Queen and king pillowcase sizes
A queen pillow usually measures 20 × 30 in (about 51 × 76 cm), and a king pillow 20 × 36 in (about 51 × 91 cm). All three US sizes are about 20 in wide and differ mainly in length. Sources differ slightly on the metric figures; for king, for example, you will see both 51 × 91 cm and 51 × 92 cm.
Our Queen silk pillowcase measures 50 × 75 cm (about 19.7 × 29.5 in), and our King silk pillowcase measures 50 × 90 cm (about 19.7 × 35.4 in). As with the standard size, compare these figures with the measurements of your own pillow.
How to measure a pillow
To measure your pillow, you need a tape measure and a flat surface.
- Lay the pillow flat on a table or on the bed.
- Measure the width, the shorter side, from seam to seam.
- Measure the length, the longer side, from seam to seam as well.
- Note both figures as width × length, for example 20 × 26 in.
If your tape measure shows inches and a pillowcase is sized in centimeters, multiply your inch figures by 2.54 before you compare them.
Our silk pillowcase sizes
Our silk pillowcases come in three sizes.
| Pillowcase | Size in cm | Size in inches |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 50 × 66 cm | about 19.7 × 26.0 in |
| Queen | 50 × 75 cm | about 19.7 × 29.5 in |
| King | 50 × 90 cm | about 19.7 × 35.4 in |
Pillow sizes in other countries
In Europe, pillow sizes are usually given in centimeters. In the UK, a standard pillow usually measures 50 × 75 cm and a king pillow 50 × 90 cm, so the word “standard” means a longer pillow there than in the US. In Germany, the most common pillow sizes are 40 × 80 cm and 80 × 80 cm. A euro square is a square pillow, usually 26 × 26 in (about 66 × 66 cm). If your pillow was bought abroad, measure it rather than going by its name.
Pillowcase closures
Many pillowcases have a closure at the open end to keep the pillow inside. A zipper closes the opening completely; on a hidden zipper, the teeth are covered, for example by a strip of fabric, so that the zipper cannot be seen from the outside. The other common option is an envelope closure, where a flap of fabric folds over the end of the pillow and no hardware is needed. Whichever closure you choose, compare the case's stated size with your pillow's measurements. Decorative pillow shams usually open at the back rather than at one end; our guide “What is a pillow sham?” explains what sets them apart from a pillowcase.
Frequently asked questions about pillowcase sizes
What size is a standard pillowcase?
A standard pillowcase is meant for a US standard pillow, which usually measures 20 × 26 in (about 51 × 66 cm).
What is the difference between queen and king pillowcases?
Queen and king pillowcases differ in length, because a queen pillow usually measures 20 × 30 in and a king pillow 20 × 36 in. Both are about 20 in wide.
How do I measure my pillow?
Lay the pillow flat and measure its width and length from seam to seam with a tape measure, then note the result as width × length, for example 20 × 26 in.
Are pillowcase sizes the same in the UK and the US?
No, UK and US pillowcase sizes are not the same: a UK standard pillow usually measures 50 × 75 cm, while a US standard pillow is usually 20 × 26 in, or about 51 × 66 cm. UK sizes are usually given in centimeters, US sizes in inches.
What our silk pillowcases are made of
The RENESSY silk pillowcases are made from 100% organic mulberry silk at 22 momme, with silk on both faces. Mulberry silk is spun by silkworms raised on mulberry leaves, and momme is a unit of weight for silk fabric. The raw silk is rated grade 6A, a raw-silk grade based on several qualities of the thread taken together. GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard, certifies textiles made from organically grown fibers. The silk is GOTS certified. OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances and made in traceable, certified production. The pillowcases carry the OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN label, and the label ID M27MNB1V9 can be checked on the OEKO-TEX website. The pillowcases carry the Dermatest 5-Star seal and the Dermatest Sensitive Skin seal, dermatologically tested for sensitive skin. Each case closes with a hidden zipper made by YKK.