No Products in the Cart
Last Updated October 22, 2025
Ever stood in the bedding aisle, staring at comforter sizes and wondering what all those numbers mean? We’ve all been there, trying to figure out if a full/queen-size will actually cover the bed or if we should go for a king-size just to be safe. Choosing the right comforter size can feel like solving a puzzle. But don't worry! In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about comforter sizes so you can pick the perfect fit for your bed and sleep in comfort every night.
Ready to dive in? Let's go!
Key Takeaways:
A comforter is a quilted blanket-like covering for your bed – it is filled with natural substances like wool, cotton batting, down feathers, or synthetic filling.
Comforters correspond to the different bed sizes and thus come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are one-piece bedding made by sewing together two layers of fabric that pack an insulating material in the middle. In fact, of all the bedding that keeps us warm, the comforter is the warmest.
It is a common practice to use comforters without covers. However, in doing so, they inevitably get dirty. So, sometimes, people use a bed sheet as an outer covering for the comforter or use duvet covers to cover comforters entirely.
The right size comforter fulfills an aesthetic requirement of the bedroom as well. When a fluffy comforter drapes low from either side of your bed, it makes the entire room look soft and calming. Who doesn't want to feel welcomed into a cozy bed after a long day?
| Bed Sizes | Mattress Size | Comforter Size |
|---|---|---|
| Crib | 28 inches x 52 inches | 28-36 inches wide x 48-52 inches long |
| Twin | 38 inches x 75 inches | 66-68 inches wide x 86-88 inches long |
| Twin XL | 38 inches x 80 inches | 68 inches wide x 90 inches long |
| Full | 54 inches x 75 inches | 81-84 inches wide x 86-88 inches long |
| Queen | 60 inches x 80 inches | 86-88 inches wide x 96-100 inches long |
| Standard King / Eastern King | 76 inches x 80 inches | 102 inches wide x 86-88 inches wide |
| California King / Western King | 72 inches x 84 inches | 107-110 inches wide x 96-98 inches long |
You can get a single-piece comforter or opt for the package known as the 'Bed-in-a-bag' set. These sets are designed for each of the standard mattress sizes that are popular in the US. Every set contains a comforter, a couple of sheets – usually a flat sheet and another fitted sheet – pillowcases, and sometimes pillow shams. Luxury bed sets come packed with two additional items – a bed skirt and pillows.
The quantity of the pillowcases differs according to the mattress size. So, larger mattresses will have more pillowcases as compared to smaller mattresses. For example, a bed-in-a-bag set will contain a king comforter, two sheets, and two king-size pillowcases for a king bed or a California king bed, while the same set will contain only one pillowcase for a twin mattress.
Unlike standard mattress sizes, comforter dimensions are not standardized. In fact, bedding manufacturers design the standard comforter length and width to be greater than the length of the standard mattress they are meant to cover.
Additionally, unlike bed sheets, a comforter is not meant to cover only the mattress depth. Instead, a comforter drapes down and covers the sides of the bed frame. That is the proper comforter fit on any bed frame. So, if you have a queen bed with a queen mattress that measures 60 inches by 80 inches, do not expect a comforter to have the exact measurements.
For example, California king mattresses measure 72 inches by 84 inches, while a Cal king comforter should measure 107-110 inches by 96-98 inches. And if you try to adjust with a standard king comforter, the bedding likely won't fit your California king bed.
To find the right-sized comforter, you need to know the dimensions of your bed frame and your mattress first:
To measure your mattress, you need to take note of the dimensions of your sides (for length and width) and the depth (for height/thickness). You can do that easily by taking a measuring tape and holding it taut from end to end on each side. Next, you measure the depth by holding the tape from the base of the mattress to its upper edge.
To achieve the right fit, you'll need to be aware of your mattress thickness, too. If your mattress is on the thinner side (8 inches or below), a standard comforter size will usually fit fine. But if you have thicker mattresses (12 inches or above), you should choose a comforter size that will be considered oversized for that mattress.
For instance, you can go with full comforters for a normal-size full mattress. But for a thicker full mattress with, say, maybe a topper or a pillow top, you'll likely need extra width and extra length for adequate coverage. So, in that case, queen comforters, or maybe even king comforters, would be more suitable.
The height of your bed frame also affects how your comforter will hang. Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress to understand how far down the comforter should reach. If your bed frame is tall, a longer comforter will be needed to cover the sides fully.
Drape length is the amount of fabric that hangs over the sides and foot of the bed. Ideally, the comforter should hang evenly on all sides for both style and coverage.
For thicker mattresses on higher bed frames, consider a comforter with extra drape to ensure it doesn’t appear too short.
Fill power is the amount of insulating material within an ounce of the insulator. This, in turn, decides how high or low the comforter's loft (height) will be.
Suppose you choose to go with a wool comforter with higher fill power. In that case, even an oversized comforter may not drape along the sides as you like, as it will have a higher loft. On the contrary, a synthetic filling with similar fill power will drape longer, as synthetic fibers settle more easily.
Also, you need to know how cold the temperature will get. If you are looking at sub-zero temperatures, consider getting a wool comforter with a high fill power that will be comfortable for you. But if the temperature is cool, you can work with a fabric of lower filling as long as it is warm enough.
Duvet covers will add an additional thickness to your comforter. Should you wrap your comforters in duvet covers, it will also contribute to an increase in the loft and bulk. So always keep these points in mind when deciding on both your comforter and duvet cover.
Comforters are ready-to-use quilted bed covers, blankets are lighter single layers, and duvets are insert-style bedding that requires a cover.
Comforters are one-piece bedding; they look more like a quilted blanket that doesn't need a cover. Thus, a comforter can get dirty quickly, and comforters made with natural fibers are notoriously tricky to clean. However, if you want, you can use the comforter as a duvet filling and put it inside the duvet cover.
However, if you please, you can use the comforter as a duvet filling and put it inside the duvet cover. Unlike duvets, comforters are much longer than the mattresses they are named after.
A duvet is a bedding with a warm material filling; this filling can either be synthetic or natural. It fluffs up the duvet. Duvets are two-piece bedding items – once you put the filling material inside the duvet cover, you can call the entire assembly a duvet.
Thus, you'll need a duvet cover to keep the duvet clean. When washing, you have to strip the filling layer away from the cover and get the cover machine-washed.
A blanket is made from a single layer of material like wool or cotton; they do not have any stuffing. Unlike duvets and comforters, blankets do not need a cover to keep them clean. They are easy to wash on their own. But quilted blankets, made with fillings, can be quite difficult to clean. Blankets are generally less warm than duvets and comforters.
The oversized comforter is a model that is a few inches bigger than the mattresses it is named after. For example, an oversized king comforter is bigger than a regular king comforter. The same rule applies to a twin, twin XL, full, queen, and Cal king.
Oversized comforters are often preferred over normal ones because the additional fluff is much more comfortable to cozy up to. Moreover, they are good at hiding the lower end of the bed in plain sight.
A right-size comforter should drape evenly over the sides and foot of the mattress, extending several inches past the edges to provide full coverage. Standard comforters typically hang 6 to 12 inches beyond the mattress, depending on the bed size. An oversized comforter will hang lower, often reaching closer to the floor for a fuller look.
If your comforter barely covers the mattress, it is likely too small for your bed and may not provide the desired coverage.
A comforter may hang down the side of your bed all the way to the bottom, or it can just about cover your bed frame. The hang of a comforter depends on personal preference. Some prefer it to hang down and cover the entire height of the bed; oversized comforters can satisfy those preferences.
The biggest comforter sizes are those for the Wyoming King, Texas King, and especially the Alaskan King. Oversized comforters can measure upto 120 x 120 inches or even more!
Washing a comforter is a complicated process. But, to explain it in simple terms:
It has to be washed inside a commercial, large load-bearing washing machine, with mild detergent and cold water, and dried with wool or tennis balls so that the comforter doesn't get lumpy after the wash.
Yes, mattress height is key in selecting the right comforter size. For example, a taller mattress, like a 12-inch king latex mattress, may require an oversized comforter to ensure proper coverage. This prevents the comforter from looking too short or exposing the sides of the bed.
The right size comforter will be big enough to hang down the sides of the bed, even when you are tucked under it, enjoying its warmth. Knowing your mattress's dimensions will help you choose the correct comforter size.
Even if you know the mattress type, i.e., whether it is a twin, twin XL, queen, king, etc., you should always go with a comforter named after your mattress. Or, if you prefer an oversized fit for extra coverage, get a size bigger.
Related blog posts:
1. How to Find the Perfect Comforter for Your Sleep Needs
2. Duvet or Comforter - How to Choose the Right Bedding
5. Pillow Sizes
Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
