While browsing the bedding section for a new comforter, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the large selection of brands, styles, designs, and, most importantly, sizes. It may be easy to assume you should purchase a comforter in a standard size aligned to your mattress. For example, if you have a queen-size bed, you may want to buy a queen-size comforter, but we advise you to do a little more research before making your final decision.
Why, you ask? Unfortunately, “standard size” is, in fact, NOT standard at all for comforters. The size of your mattress and comforter may look like they are a good fit, but you could come home with bedding that is far too small, or even too big for your bed.
So, how exactly do you know what size you need to best fit your mattress?
Comforter sizes aren’t standardized as mattresses.
Mattresses come in standard dimensions, but the same doesn’t apply for comforters. When choosing a comforter size, besides the mattress dimensions, you also need to account for variables such as mattress depth, expected overhang, and other personal preferences. That’s why you don’t find comforters in standardized dimensions, and there are variations in sizes between brands.
When choosing a comforter, a good rule of thumb is to look for one that’s at least 30” wider, and 15” longer than your mattress.
Comforter sizes chart
We analyzed over 30 popular comforters sold in Walmart, Amazon, Wayfair, Macys, and Bed Bath and Beyond, to find the most common comforter dimensions. Based on our findings, here’s a reference chart with the seven most popular mattress dimensions, and the minimum to maximum comforter dimensions we recommend.
| Comforter Size | Comforter Dimensions | Mattress Dimensions |
| Twin | 64 x 88 ” to 68 x 92″ | 38×75″ |
| Twin XL | 64 x 90 ” to 68 x 92″ | 38×80″ |
| Full/Double | 82 x 86 ” to 84 x 88″ | 54×75″ |
| Queen | 88 x 90 ” to 90 x 94″ | 60×80″ |
| King | 102 x 86″ to 106″ x 90″ | 76×80″ |
| Cal King | 104 x 92″ to 106×96 | 72×84″ |
| Oversized Queen | 90 x 94″ to 92″ x 98″ | 60×80″ |
| Oversized King | 106 x 96″ to 112″ x 98″ | 76×80″ |
Twin size comforter
A twin-size comforter is compatible with a twin-size and twin XL size bed. The dimensions of a twin-sized bed are 38” x 75”, so a comforter in the dimension range of 64” x 88” to 68” x 92” would likely work best.
It is important to note, that due to the smaller size, twin size comforters are most comfortable for single sleepers and children.
Twin XL size comforter
You can also purchase a twin XL comforter if you have a twin XL, or a twin mattress. The twin XL mattress dimensions come in at 38” x 80”, so a good sizing range for your comforter would be 64” x 90” to 68” x 92”.
If you choose on the lower end, you will have a comforter that JUST fits right, and if you decide on the higher end in comforter dimensions, your bedding will be roomier and hang lower from the edges of your bed.
Full/Double size comforter
If you purchase a full or a double-size comforter, you should ensure that you have a twin, twin XL, or a double/full-size bed. The measurements of a double/full mattress are 54” x 75,” and the comforter size can range from 82” x 86” to 84” x 88”.
Again, the range has a lower and a higher end. You should consider the amount of overhang you want, and whether you are a single sleeper or have a partner before deciding which dimensions to choose.
Queen size comforter
A queen-size mattress has the dimensions 60” x 80,” and the comforter dimensions span from 88” x 90” to 90” x 94”. You can use a queen-size comforter for a full/double or queen-size bed. Most enjoy a full/double-size bed with a queen comforter because it allows for some overhang, and provides optimal comfort when sleeping with a partner.
If you prefer even more overhang on your queen-sized mattress, you can purchase an oversized queen comforter. The proportions of oversized queen bedding are typically 90” x 94” to 92” x 98”.
King size comforter
King-sized mattresses are longer than queen-sized but have the same width. The mattress dimensions are 76” x 80”, and the comforter dimensions scale from 102” x 86” to 106” x 90”. You can use a king comforter for a full/double, queen, and king-size mattress.
Like the oversized queen comforter, you can purchase an oversized king comforter for your king-size bed, to allow for more overhang on all sides. The elements of an oversized king comforter are 106” x 96” to 112” x 98”. There is also the option for a California king comforter which has the dimensions 104” x 92” to 106” x 96”, making it slightly smaller than the oversized king.
How to decide what size comforter you need?
The first step to deciding what size comforter you should purchase for your existing bed is to determine the dimensions of your mattress, and how much overhang you prefer. Taking measurements is the only way to be sure what size comforter will best fit your needs and aesthetics. You’ll want to ensure that you have a large enough comforter to adequately cover you and your potential partners, AND that it doesn’t create too much of an undesirable overhang.
Follow the steps below to approximate comforter dimensions that will fit your mattress nicely and neatly based on your personal desire for size, style, and comfort.
Step 1: Measure the mattress dimensions: Take a measuring tape and measure the length and breadth of the mattress from edge to edge. If you already know the size of your mattress, such as if it’s a king or a queen, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Measure the side overhang: This is where you will determine the amount of overhang you like to have on your bed. Choosing the length of overhang on a mattress is entirely up to you and your personal preferences. The general rule of thumb is to have a 15” overhang on each side. Also, keep in mind when you sleep under the comforter, the length of the overhang would reduce, so it is completely fine to have a longer overhang.
You want to start by measuring from the top edge of your mattress to the point closest to the floor that you wish your comforter to hang.
Step 3: After measuring the amount of overhang you’d like on the sides of the bed, and the width of your mattress, you can add these two numbers together. We will label this number “Variable Width (A)”.
Variable Width (A) = Mattress width + 2 x side overhang.
Step 4: Like step two, you want to measure the amount of overhang you want, but this time you will be making this measurement at the foot of your bed.
Step 5: After measuring the overhang length at the foot of your bed and the length of your mattress, you can add these two numbers together. We will call this number “Variable Length (B).”
Variable length (B) = Mattress length + foot overhang.
Step 7: The last step is to use variable A and variable B to choose the appropriate dimensions of your comforter for your mattress. The equation will look like this: “Variable A x Variable B.”
Tips for choosing the right comforter size:
1) Upsizing your comforter has its perks: Upsizing the comforter gives the bed a fuller look and a longer overhang can add to the room’s aesthetics. Also, if you or your partner like to move around a lot in the bed, it is better to go for a size up to avoid “comforter stealing” during the night.
2) Divide and rule: Trust me, the key to a happy marriage is a separate comforter. It’s quite common in Scandinavian countries to have separate comforters. You can have two twins or twin XL comforters on a king or queen size bed. This way, you and your partner can have your own comforter and personalize it to your liking without arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do you choose a comforter size?
A: You should look for a comforter that’s at least 30” wider and 15” longer than your existing mattress. That said, it’s ultimately up to you and your personal preferences as to how much overhang you’d like on the sides.
Q: How should a comforter fit on the bed?
The comforter shouldn’t snugly fit on the bed. Ideally, you want to have an equal overhang on all three visible sides, extending at least 15” past the edges of the mattress. The comforter should cover the mattress depth and extend down to cover the bed frame or skirt partially.
Q: Should your comforter be the same size as your bed?
Not necessarily. If you like extra room or prefer a longer overhang, you can pick one size up. That said, comforters, by default, are a little larger than the corresponding size of the mattress to account for overhang. So ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Q: What is the best size comforter for a queen-size bed?
If you sleep solo, a queen-size comforter is a great choice. However, if you have a partner who likes to move around a lot during their sleep, you might consider upsizing to a king-size comforter.
Q: Are full and queen size comforters the same?
No, a full size comforter is 5” smaller in width, and 6” smaller in length compared to a queen size comforter. So, if you have a full size bed, you can pick either a full or queen size comforter, but if you have a queen size bed, a full size comforter will be too small.
The Takeaway
It is important to remember that the only way to find the PERFECT comforter size is to take accurate measurements of your bare mattress, and consider how much overhang you’d like and how tightly you want it to lay. You can use our steps listed above to ensure your comforter fits your mattress exactly the way you want it to.
Now that you understand the difference in dimension sizes across all comforters and mattresses, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing bedding. The next time you browse the bedding section, come back and take a look at our advice in this post to ensure your comforter will reflect the size you need.
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