Comforter Sizes Guide

A comforter is a thick and fluffy covering for your bed. A comforter is the American version of the European duvet. Comforters come in a variety of colors and designs. Unlike duvets, comforters don’t come with a cover, though you may use duvet covers on comforters to change up the style of your bedroom.

Most comforters come in bagged sets, also known as “Bed-in-a-Bag.” You may love the retail value in buying this set instead of a single comforter. Bed-in-a-Bag sets include a comforter, a sheet set (one flat sheet and one fitted sheet), and a couple of pillowcases, depending on the size.

Twin, twin XL, and full size comforter sets come with one pillowcase, while larger sizes, including a queen, king, and California king, come with two pillowcases. Some sets may also come with throw pillows, pillow shams, or a bed skirt. All the items included in the package are in matching colors or designs.

These value packages are an easy way to create a stylish bedroom without stressing over figuring out corresponding colors. You could even use bed-in-a-bag sets as a starting point in setting the tone for their bedroom decor.

Before buying a new comforter, whether on its own or as part of a set, make sure you choose the right size. It’s easy to assume that a king comforter will fit a king size mattress, but that isn’t always the case. You don’t want to bring a comforter home, only to run back to the store to return it if it is too short or too big.

Comforter Dimensions

Comforter sizes are not standardized, unlike mattresses. For example, if you have a California king bed, you won’t be able to find a comforter with the same dimensions (72 inches by 84 inches). Instead, a California king comforter that’s roughly 107 inches by 96 inches will cover your mattress and drape nicely over the sides.

Bedding manufacturers add extra inches to the sides of a comforter to cover a bed’s surface and sides. Please take a look at our handy chart to get a better idea of what size comforter will fit best based on the size of your mattress.

Comforter Size Chart

Choosing the Right Comforter Size

After you’ve found the right size comforter, you want to take a look at how thick your mattress is and the fill power of a potential comforter. Think of your mattress depth as an extension of the comforter size—how far do you want your comforter to drape down? You may not need an oversized comforter if you have a thinner mattress.

Fill power is the thickness of a comforter. If you’re planning on a thicker comforter, you may need a larger size, especially if you want your comforter to cover up your box spring or bed frame.

Measure Your Mattress

After finding your mattress size, you’ll want to take a look at the thickness of your mattress. Most mattresses are 9 to 14 inches thick, depending on the brand.

See also:

• Best 12 Inch Mattresses
• Best 14 Inch Mattresses

If you want a comforter that drapes past the bottom of your bed, but your bed is more than 10 inches thick, you may need to choose a comforter with larger dimensions.

For the perfect fit, measure how thick your mattress is (include the mattress topper if you have one), and add that measurement to the width and length of your bed. For example, if you have a 60-inch by 80-inch queen size mattress that’s 12 inches tall, you’d add “12” to both the 60-inch width and the 80-inch length. The comforter you want should be at least 72 inches by 92 inches. This comforter covers the sides of the bed, hiding the mattress from view.

Some brands may list the maximum mattress thickness a comforter will fit. Check the label or look at the specifications if you’re shopping online.

Consider Fill Power

Fill power is the comforter’s loft or height and is measured by the amount of filling inside one ounce. The higher the fill power, the fluffier the comforter. See if you can find out a comforter’s fill power before purchasing—it may be listed on the label or under the product description online.

Keep in mind that if you buy a comforter with a 700 or higher fill power, it may not drape over the sides as you’d like. The comforter may be the correct size, but the higher loft slightly lifts the comforter, making the comforter appear too short for your mattress.

Fill power varies; lower fill power ranges between 500 to 600, medium fill power is between 600 to 700, and high fill power can reach 800 or more. Fill power may also affect warmth, so don’t sacrifice your comfort for the right fit. If you want a high-loft comforter, choosing the maximum size for your mattress can ensure the perfect fit.

Is a Comforter Right for Me?

If you want a warm covering but don’t want anything as thick as a duvet or comforter, there are also quilts to consider. Quilts often have a little bit more padding than a typical blanket, but is far from the bulk of a comforter. See our guide to quilts vs comforters.

There are also technological ways to stay warm at night. Some smart mattresses have special heating features that ensure a warm sleeping surface, though such mattresses tend to cost an exorbitant amount. More affordably, there are heated mattress pads that slip on underneath your fitted sheets and can be used to warm up the bed when it’s time to sleep.

There’s also the classic electric blanket if you want to stay warm without huddling underneath thick bedding. Electric blankets have various heat settings and safety features that ensure it shuts off after a few hours.

FAQs

Is an oversized comforter better?

An oversized comforter could be a good fit for any bed—who doesn’t want to wrap themselves up in lots of fluffy material? Oversized comforters are not just an excellent comfort option; they’re also a great and stylish way of keeping the area under your bed out of sight. If you don’t have a bed skirt, an oversized comforter may be the way to go.

Are full and queen comforters the same size?

Many manufacturers lump full and queen sizes together as one size instead of two separate sizes. However, the full/queen size comforter may be too small for a queen size mattress or too big for a full bed. It’s better to buy a comforter that specifically says “queen size” or “full size” to achieve a better fit.

Can a queen comforter fit on a full bed?

A queen size comforter can fit a full bed, but the sides may reach almost to the floor. This look is a great way to hide the space under your bed, especially if you’re currently using the area under your mattress for storage. Another reason a queen comforter is suitable for a full bed is that the extra material can be a good replacement for a bed skirt.

Should a duvet cover be the same size as a comforter?

Though duvet covers are meant for duvets, they can also be nicely paired with comforters. Ideally, a duvet cover should be slightly larger than your comforter. Duvet covers may shrink in the wash, but since the cover is slightly larger, it should still fit your comforter. Also, your comforter may be fluffier—you may need the extra material to fit a duvet cover over a thicker comforter.

Being able to switch out covers with different designs and colors is a great way to change up your bedroom decor without extra money to replace the comforter.

How should a comforter fit on a bed?

For the best fit, a comforter should equally extend down the sides and foot of a mattress. The length should stop just below the bed. You may prefer a comforter with more length, especially if you want to hide the space under your bed frame. If you have a comforter that falls short of covering your mattress’s sides, you may need a different size.

Conclusion

The right-sized comforter not only adds style to your bedroom but also makes you feel more comfortable. As a good rule of thumb, your comforter should cover the sides of your bed, but not touch the floor—you want to avoid dirt and bacteria from getting onto your bedding. Remember to consider mattress thickness and fill power to determine the best comforter size for your mattress.