Standard Size Pillowcases

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Standard Size Pillowcases

This is a discussion of standard size pillowcases, which are the most commonly, used of all pillowcase sizes. That is because standard size pillowcases are not only used in the majority of homes, they are also used in facilities such as prisons,  hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and many other such institutions.

To go back a bit, most of us know that there are different bed sizes, for example, single, standard or twin, queen and king size. Technically, for each bed size there is a specific pillow that fits that bed. It doesn’t really have be a direct correspondence. For example, we can use king size pillows for our kind size bed, but we could also use three standard pillows with standard size pillowcases just as well.

Although there are not that many sizes for pillows used primarily for our beds, there are a lot of specialized pillows. Pillows for travel that are often an open U-shape for the support of the head and neck, body pillows, pregnancy pillows, smaller carry pillows, decorative pillows for couches and sofas, and on and on.Standard size pillowcases are usually not used for these specialized pillows that serve specific purposes other than for sleeping in our beds .

Before we determine which pillows are best suited for standard size pillowcases, let’s look at what the common pillow sizes are:

A standard pillow typically measures 20”x26”.  Standard size pillowcase will fit this nicely.

A queen size pillow typically measures 20”x30”. Standard size pillowcases can fit this, but a queen size is best.

A king size pillow typically measures 20”x36”. Standard size pillowcases will not fit this size.

 (In addition to these sizes, there are, as mentioned, a wide variety of other pillow sizes. Euro pillows are typically 25”x25”, deco pillows either 20”x20” or 18”x18” or 16”x16”. Just a point of interest that in the US, we sleep on a rectangular shaped pillow vs all of these others are usually square in shape.)

Now let’s examine pillowcase sizes:

Standard sizepillowcases measure 20”x30”. This allows for the extra four inches of fabric, which then completely covers a standard sized pillow.

Queen size pillowcases measure 20”x36 inches. These pillowcases are longer than standard size pillowcases and can fit either a standard pillow or a queen size.

King size pillowcases measure 21×46 inches. Obviously, this pillowcase is much longer than standard size pillowcases are and usually a bit more in width also.

Now let’s get back to standard size pillowcases. A standard-size pillow obviously will use standard size pillowcases. The size pillow is designed to suit a queen or a standard bed. Pillows come with different fillings inside- down feathers, cotton, foam, all of these are common fillers. Regardless of the filling inside the pillow itself, standard size pillowcases will fit these pillows. 

The 20 inch x 26 inch pillowcase, or standard size pillowcases, are perfect for pillows that will fit on twin and twin XL size beds, among other things.

Standard pillows are most often associated with double and twin beds. In these cases, one pillow right in the middle of the top of the bed looks very symmetrical. Many people like to sleep with two pillows, and in that case use two pillows side by side each covered by standard size pillowcases.  On a queen size bed, two standard pillows covered with two standard size pillowcases placed one next to another on a double bed will fit properly on the bed.

On a king size bed, if you want to utitlize standard size pillowcases, three standard pillows with three standard size pillowcases works.

Keep in mind that the standard size pillow is 20 x 26-inch pillows in size. When shopping for standard size pillowcases, the designation may state standard/ queen size because it is fine for both options.

Regardless, standard size pillowcases should fit nicely with a slight floppy overhang along one side of the opening.

In addition to size, standard size pillowcases come in different materials. Two very common and very nice options are 100% cotton and blended polyester cotton. Standard size pillowcases that are 100% cotton are soft, they breathe well and feel so good to sleep on. Standard size pillowcases that are 100% cotton can be slightly higher in pricing than the blend of polyester and cotton.

Polyester cotton blend standard size pillowcases are usually not quite as soft as the all- cotton, but they do have their advantages. Standard size pillowcases that are a poly-cotton blend means they will have both polyester, a man-made fabric, and cotton, and all natural fabric blended together. Often, the blend has slightly more cotton than polyester, something like a 55% cotton and 45% polyester. The reason for this is somewhat functional but for imports into the US, also has some roots in import duties. A product that has a majority of natural fibers such as cotton will be less expensive to import, ie will have less tariffs and duties. Anyway, the major advantage of the cotton/poly blend is that they tend not to wrinkle as much and might be a bit more durable over the long haul.

One other important gauge when considering standard size pillowcases is the thread count. The thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count the softer the pillowcase will feel. Therefore, the 100% all cotton standard size pillowcases will feel even softer with a higher thread count, as will the polyester cotton blend. Some common examples are a T-130, one of the most economical thread counts for standard size pillowcases, a T-180, T-200 or 250, T-350 and upwards. The lower the thread count the lower the price typically.

Pillowcases serve the function of protecting the pillow itself along with providing a soft and clean surface to lay our heads and faces. Standard size pillowcases are the most commonly used pillowcases in the US, and are easy to find online or in-person shopping. Remember, the quality of our sleep can be influenced by the quality of our pillows and pillowcases, so choose wisely.