There are so many pillows, and they come in a ton of different sizes. If you know the dimensions of your favorite standard size pillow, it will be easier to repurchase it when you need a new one. So, what size is a standard pillow?

What Size Is a Standard Size Pillow?

A standard pillow measures 20 inches wide by 26 inches long. Standard pillows are the smallest typical sleeping pillow. However, they’re a great choice for many people.

Surprisingly, pillow size can play a role in how well you sleep. But there’s much more to your pillow’s size than those measurements.

Other pillow sizes

Despite the name “standard,” there are other common pillow sizes you should know about. First, there’s the queen pillow. Queen pillows measure 20 inches wide by 30 inches long, so they’re a few inches longer than standard pillows.

Two queen pillows nicely fill out a queen bed. They’re a nice choice if you want a polished look during the day. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll be the perfect pillow at night.

The next pillow size is the king pillow. King pillows measure 20 inches wide by 36 inches long. Like queen pillows, a pair of king pillows fit perfectly on a king bed.

A king pillow is also the same length as a twin bed is wide. So king pillows look nice on twin beds. However, they can also help support a standard size pillow.

Anything but standard

What size is a standard pillow? The answer is clear when you consider the names behind different pillow sizes. However, a standard size pillow isn’t necessarily the standard.

No single pillow size is the best for everyone. Of course, there are other things to look for in a pillow. You want one that’s comfortable, and your pillow should be supportive while you sleep.

But there are different pillow sizes for a reason. The size of your pillow can make or break how comfortable and supportive it is. Your bed can also help determine your ideal pillow size.

Aside from the name, standard pillows are anything but standard.

Based on Your Bed

If you’re completely stumped when it comes to choosing the right pillow size for you, your bed is an excellent place to start. As we mentioned, some pillows look great on certain sized beds.

Other things equal, the right pillow size can give your bed a polished look. So, what size is a standard pillow for each bed size?

Twin

Starting with the smallest bed size, even twin beds have an ideal pillow size. The length of one king pillow is a perfect match to the width of a twin bed.

If you want to give a twin bed that polished aesthetic, then a king pillow is an excellent choice.

However, younger people tend to sleep on twin beds. If that’s the case, the smaller standard pillow might actually be ideal.

A king pillow could be too big for children, and a standard pillow might be the perfect solution for children and even teens.

Perhaps you have a twin bed in a guest room. If the bed is primarily for an adult, then a king pillow could be a suitable option.

Full or double

Regardless of what name you call it, a full or double bed is larger than a twin bed but smaller than a queen. These beds can fit one or two people.

That’s important to note because that number can determine the best pillow size for a full or double bed.

If it’s just you in a full or double bed, you can choose from multiple pillow sizes. A single standard, queen, or king pillow all fit on the bed.

On the other hand, a full or double bed for two doesn’t have that same flexibility. A full bed measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long.

What is the size of a standard size pillow? A standard pillow is 20 inches wide by 26 inches long.

If you multiply 26 by 2, you get 52. That means that two standard pillows fit a full or double bed almost perfectly.

So if you share your full or double bed with someone, you’ll want to stick to a standard pillow.

Queen

We mentioned that two queen pillows fit on a queen bed perfectly. If aesthetics are important to you, then you should choose two queen pillows for your bed.

However, queen pillows aren’t your only choice. Of course, standard pillows are smaller than queen pillows. If you want a smaller pillow, then you can definitely use a standard pillow.

King

Next, we have a king bed. Two king pillows divide a king bed in half equally. And since king pillows are the largest common pillow size, you can choose from standard, queen, or king pillows.

Of course, two king pillows will take up the entire width of a king bed. However, you can free up some space if you choose queen or standard pillows.

If you can use any size of pillow on a king bed, you might wonder about deciding on the best pillow size.

Your Sleep Style

If you can’t decide on the right pillow size based on your bed, then consider your sleeping position. Your sleeping position can affect where your head and face lay during the night.

It can affect how much support you need while you sleep and where you need that support.

Of course, we all have slightly different sleeping positions. However, there are a few basic positions that can help determine the best pillow size for you.

Side sleepers

Just over two out of five Americans sleep on their side or in a fetal position. If you’re one of them, you need a pillow that’s a bit thicker than average.

Sleeping on your side means there’s more space between your mattress and where your head should lie. You have the width of your shoulder to worry about.

Stomach sleepers

If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll want a thinner pillow. You should also look for a pillow that will let you breathe.

While you probably tilt your head to the side, you want to make sure that you won’t have trouble breathing while you sleep.

Back sleepers

If you sleep on your back, it’s important to keep your back and neck where they need to be. Choosing a pillow that’s too thick or too thin can cause problems.

You also want to make sure you can adjust the fill inside your pillow so that it suits your needs.

Toss and turning

If you move around at night, you might consider a larger pillow, either a queen or king. That way, you have extra room to move without worrying about having the support of a pillow.

The perfect pillow size

While there’s no perfect pillow size for any particular sleeping position, there are a few things you can look at with your current pillow.

You might be using the wrong pillow size if you wake up with aches and pains or if you don’t feel well-rested. Sleeping shouldn’t hurt, and it should help you recharge for the day ahead.

If you wake up with stiffness, that could also be due to your pillow size. The wrong pillow size could cause neck and head stiffness in the morning.

Of course, there are other things that could cause these issues. However, changing to a different sized pillow could help.

A Note on Pillowcases

No pillow is complete without a pillowcase. Not only do we need the answer to the question of what size is a standard size pillow? We also have to know the size of a standard pillowcase.

Unfortunately, that answer isn’t as clear.

Pillowcase sizes don’t always match pillow sizes. You can use the same pillowcase on a standard pillow as on a queen pillow. However, the end of the pillowcase will hang off a standard pillow.

That’s not a problem. But you should be aware of it. That way, you know no to look for a standard pillowcase.

What size is a standard pillow? It’s small enough to fit on all beds, and it can fit in all pillowcases.

Far from Standard

What size is a standard pillow? Your standard pillow is 20 inches wide and 26 inches long. But there’s a lot more to it than those measurements.

Of course, you want to choose a pillow that is comfortable and will support your head and neck while you sleep.

In some cases, a standard pillow might be just what you need. But if you have space on your bed, the extra fill in a queen or king pillow might be a better choice.

What size is a standard pillow? It’s the perfect size for some people, but others may need or want something more substantial.