Bed & Bath

Bed Sheet Sizes: Fitted Sheet, Flat Sheet and Pillowcase Dimensions

Fitted and flat sheet dimensions for every US bed in inches and centimeters, how to read pocket depth, which sheets cross over between sizes, and what to buy for European and UK beds.

Quick answer

A fitted sheet matches the mattress: a queen fitted sheet is 60 × 80 in (152 × 203 cm) with a pocket for the mattress depth, usually 14 in (36 cm). Flat sheets are larger so they hang over the sides: a queen flat sheet is about 90 × 102 in (229 × 259 cm), a king flat is 108 × 102 in and a twin flat is 66 × 96 in.

Queen fitted
60 × 80 × 14 in
Queen flat
90 × 102 in
King fitted
76 × 80 × 14 in
King flat
108 × 102 in
On this page
  1. Bed sheet size chart
  2. Fitted sheet pocket depth
  3. Flat sheet sizes and overhang
  4. Sizes that do and do not cross over
  5. Sheet sizes for UK and European beds
  6. Pillowcases in a sheet set
  7. Sheets for toppers, adjustable beds and air mattresses
  8. Frequently asked questions

Bed sheet size chart

A sheet set holds two different sizes. The fitted sheet is cut to the mattress plus a pocket, and the flat sheet is cut wider and longer so it can be tucked in. Fitted dimensions are fixed by the mattress. Flat sheet sizes vary by an inch or two between brands; the figures below are the most common.

Fitted and flat sheet sizes by bed
Bed sizeFitted sheet (in)Fitted sheet (cm)Flat sheet (in)Flat sheet (cm)
Twin38 × 7597 × 19166 × 96168 × 244
Twin XL38 × 8097 × 20366 × 102168 × 259
Full (double)54 × 75137 × 19181 × 96206 × 244
Queen60 × 80152 × 20390 × 102229 × 259
King76 × 80193 × 203108 × 102274 × 259
California king72 × 84183 × 213102 × 110259 × 279

Fitted sheets are labeled with three numbers: width, length and pocket depth. A queen sheet listed as 60 × 80 × 14 in fits a 60 × 80 in mattress up to about 12 in thick. Mattress widths and lengths for every size, including European ones, are on the mattress size chart.

Fitted sheet pocket depth

The pocket is the height of the sheet's side wall. It has to cover the mattress side, plus any topper, and still wrap 1 to 2 in under the bottom edge. Too shallow, and the corners pull off overnight. Too deep, and the sheet wrinkles across the top.

Pocket depth labels and the mattresses they fit
LabelPocketFits a mattress (plus topper) of
Standard12–14 in (30–36 cm)Up to about 12 in (30 cm)
Deep pocket15–18 in (38–46 cm)13–16 in (33–41 cm)
Extra-deep pocket19–24 in (48–61 cm)17–22 in (43–56 cm)

"Deep pocket" is a marketing label, not a measurement. One brand's deep pocket is 15 in and another's is 18 in, so always buy by the number. Typical mattress thicknesses by type are listed in the mattress depth guide.

  1. Measure the mattress side from the bottom seam to the top, at the edge, not the center.
  2. Add the topper and pad. A 3-in topper turns a 12-in mattress into a 15-in stack.
  3. Add 1 to 2 in for the elastic to grip underneath.
  4. Buy the next pocket size up if you land between two. A 16-in result means a 16 to 18-in pocket.
Allow for shrinkage

Cotton and linen sheets that are not pre-shrunk can lose a few percent of their length in the first hot wash and dryer cycle. On an 80-in sheet, 3% is 2.4 in. If a new fitted sheet is barely long enough, wash it cool and dry it on low.

Flat sheet sizes and overhang

A flat sheet sits between you and the blanket, so it only needs to reach down the mattress sides far enough to tuck in. Subtract the mattress width from the sheet width and halve it to get the drop on each side.

Flat sheet overhang on a standard mattress
SizeFlat sheetDrop each sideExtra length
Twin66 × 96 in14 in (36 cm)21 in (53 cm)
Twin XL66 × 102 in14 in (36 cm)22 in (56 cm)
Full81 × 96 in13.5 in (34 cm)21 in (53 cm)
Queen90 × 102 in15 in (38 cm)22 in (56 cm)
King108 × 102 in16 in (41 cm)22 in (56 cm)
California king102 × 110 in15 in (38 cm)26 in (66 cm)

The extra length is split between a fold-over at the top and a tuck at the foot. On a 15-in deep mattress, a standard queen flat sheet barely reaches the bottom of the sides and leaves nothing to tuck. Buy a flat sheet one size up (a king flat on a queen gives 24 in of drop) or one sold for deep mattresses.

Sizes that do and do not cross over

People often try sheets from the next size over. Elastic forgives about an inch, not more.

Fitted sheet on the wrong mattress
Sheet → mattressDifferenceResult
Twin → twin XL5 in too shortWill not stay on
Twin XL → twin5 in too longWorks, bunches at the foot
Twin XL → full16 in too narrowWill not fit
Full → queen6 in narrow, 5 in shortWill not fit
Queen → full6 in wide, 5 in longLoose and wrinkled
King → Cal king4 in wide, 4 in shortCorners slip off
Two twin XL → split kingExactThe intended setup

A split king (two 38 × 80 in mattresses on separate adjustable bases) uses two twin XL fitted sheets and one king flat sheet. A "split-top" king, where only the head section is divided, needs a special fitted sheet with a matching slit.

Sheet sizes for UK and European beds

Fitted sheets abroad are sold by the mattress size in centimeters, so a 160 × 200 fitted sheet fits a 160 × 200 mattress. US sheets do not map neatly onto these beds.

US fitted sheets on metric mattresses
MattressIn inchesClosest US fitted sheetFit
90 × 200 cm (EU single)35.4 × 78.7Twin XL (38 × 80)Loose by 2.6 in width
135 × 190 cm (UK double)53.1 × 74.8Full (54 × 75)Good
140 × 200 cm (EU double)55.1 × 78.7None; full is 3.7 in shortBuy metric
150 × 200 cm (UK king)59.1 × 78.7Queen (60 × 80)Good
160 × 200 cm (EU queen)63.0 × 78.7Queen is 3 in narrowTight; buy metric
180 × 200 cm (EU king, UK super king)70.9 × 78.7Cal king (72 × 84)Loose at the foot

For the flat sheet on a 160 × 200 cm bed, look for about 240 × 260 cm or larger. A US queen flat sheet (229 × 259 cm) drops only about 34 cm on each side, which barely covers a 30 cm mattress. A US king flat (274 × 259 cm) tucks in properly.

Pillowcases in a sheet set

Twin and twin XL sets usually include one standard pillowcase. Full and larger sets include two, sized to the bed: standard cases with full and queen sets, king cases with king and Cal king sets.

US pillowcase sizes
PillowcaseInchesCentimetersFor pillow
Standard20 × 3051 × 7620 × 26 in
Queen20 × 3451 × 8620 × 30 in
King20 × 4051 × 10220 × 36 in

Shams, Euro squares and body pillow covers are covered in the pillow size guide.

Sheets for toppers, adjustable beds and air mattresses

  • With a topper: the pocket must cover both layers. See the thickness options in the mattress topper size guide.
  • Adjustable bases: when the head raises, the sheet has to stretch around a bend. Fully elasticized fitted sheets or sheet straps (suspenders) keep the corners on.
  • Raised air beds: a queen air bed 18 to 22 in tall needs an extra-deep pocket, and many are 1 to 2 in narrower than a real queen, so the sheet runs loose. Sizes are on the air mattress size chart.

The layer on top of the sheets is sized differently again; see the comforter size chart and blanket sizes.

Frequently asked questions

Will twin XL sheets fit a twin bed?

A twin XL fitted sheet (38 × 80 in) goes on a twin mattress (38 × 75 in) but leaves 5 in of loose fabric that bunches at the foot. A twin fitted sheet will not stretch onto a twin XL, which is 5 in longer.

Does a twin XL fitted sheet fit a full size bed?

No. A twin XL sheet is 38 in wide and a full mattress is 54 in wide, a 16-in difference that elastic cannot cover. Full sheets need a 54 × 75 in fitted sheet.

What size sheets do I need for a college dorm bed?

Almost all US dorm beds are twin XL: 38 × 80 in (97 × 203 cm). Use twin XL fitted sheets, ideally with a 15-in pocket if you add a topper. A regular twin flat sheet (66 × 96 in) is usable, but a twin XL flat (66 × 102 in) tucks in better at the foot.

What are king size sheet dimensions in meters?

A king fitted sheet is 1.93 × 2.03 m (76 × 80 in) plus a pocket of about 0.36 m (14 in). A king flat sheet is about 2.74 × 2.59 m (108 × 102 in).

Do queen sheets fit a full bed?

A queen fitted sheet is 6 in too wide and 5 in too long for a full mattress, so it wrinkles and slips. A queen flat sheet works on a full, giving extra side drop. For the fitted sheet, buy full size (54 × 75 in).

Are Cal king and king sheets the same?

No. A king fitted sheet is 76 × 80 in and a Cal king is 72 × 84 in. On the wrong mattress the sheet is 4 in too wide and 4 in too short, so the corners pop off. Flat sheets and pillowcases interchange more easily.