Standard, Queen, King. The names sound as if they should match your mattress, and that is where most sizing mistakes begin. Plenty of people sleep on a queen bed with standard pillows, or on a king bed with queen pillows.
With silk, the fit matters a little more than usual. A pillowcase that is too big lets the pillow slide around inside it. One that is too small strains the seams.
The short answer: match the pillowcase to your pillow, not your bed. Measure the pillow or read its care tag, then choose Standard (20 x 26 in), Queen (20 x 30 in) or King (20 x 36 in).
The three sizes
These are the usual American pillow sizes, and KINT pillowcases are made to the same measurements.
| Size | Pillowcase | Fits | Often used on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 20 x 26 in | Standard pillows | Twin, full and queen beds |
| Queen | 20 x 30 in | Queen pillows | Queen and king beds |
| King | 20 x 36 in | King pillows | King and California king beds |
All three are the same height. Only the length changes. That is why a pillowcase one size too long looks loose at the end, not baggy all over.
How to find out what size your pillow is
- Look for the tag. Most pillows have a sewn-in label that names the size. This is the quickest answer.
- If there is no tag, measure. Lay the pillow flat without its cover and measure seam to seam along the long side. Do not press it down or follow the curve of the filling.
- Match the length. Around 26 inches is Standard, around 30 is Queen, around 36 is King.
An inch either way is normal. Pillows are soft and are not cut to exact measurements.
Why fit matters more with silk
Silk is smooth, so a pillow moves more freely inside it than inside cotton. With a close fit, the pillowcase lies flat and stays put. With too much spare fabric, the pillowcase bunches under your cheek and the pillow can drift toward the open end.
A close fit also looks better. Silk shows its sheen when it lies smooth across a full pillow.
When you are between sizes
- A standard pillow in a queen pillowcase. This works. You will have a few inches of extra fabric at one end, which you can tuck under. A zipper closure keeps it tidier than an envelope here.
- A queen pillow in a standard pillowcase. Avoid this. The pillow will be squeezed, it will feel firmer than it should, and the seams or the zip will be under strain every night.
- A very full or high-loft pillow. Thick down and down-alternative pillows take up more fabric. If yours is very plump and sits at the top of its size, the next size up can be more comfortable.
- A thin or older pillow. Stay with the true size. A flat pillow in a large pillowcase swims in it.
When in doubt, a little too long is better than too short.
Pillows that are not a standard shape
Memory foam, contoured neck pillows and other shaped pillows often do not match any of the three sizes. They may be shorter, thicker or curved, and a rectangular pillowcase sits loosely on them.
For those, a cover with an elastic edge is the better choice, because it stretches around the shape. Our Fitted Silk Pillow Cover is made for memory foam and contoured pillows.
European square pillows and long body pillows need their own sizes too. A Standard, Queen or King pillowcase will not fit them.
Choosing the rest
Once you know the size, two choices are left. The first is the weight of the silk. The Mulberry Silk Pillowcase 22 Momme comes in Standard, Queen and King, and our guide to what momme means explains how it differs from 19 momme.
The second is the closure. If you are putting a slightly smaller pillow into a larger pillowcase, read our comparison of zipper and envelope closures first, because the closure decides how well the pillow stays in place.
Questions people ask
Do I need king pillowcases for a king bed?
Only if your pillows are king size. Two king pillows fill the width of a king bed, which is why they are sold together, but many people use queen or standard pillows on a king bed. Check the pillow.
Will a silk pillowcase shrink and stop fitting?
Washed in cold water and dried in the shade, silk keeps its size well. Hot water and the tumble dryer are what cause trouble. Our article on whether silk shrinks in the wash has the details.
How many pillowcases should I buy?
Two per pillow is practical. You can have one on the bed while the other dries, which matters because silk should air dry.
Measure once and the rest is easy. You can see every size and color in our silk pillowcases.
