Quilt CalculatorHow do I figure out what size quilt I need?
Measure the top of your mattress. For width, add the side drop twice. For length, add the foot drop once, plus a tuck for the pillows if you want one. A queen mattress of 60 by 80 inches with a 14 inch drop needs an 88 by 94 inch quilt.
This is the method the American Quilter's Society teaches. They say to dress the bed first, with pads, sheets and blankets on, so the drop is real. They add 4 to 6 inches if you want the quilt to tuck under the foot of the mattress, and 6 to 10 inches for a pillow tuck.
Quilt width = mattress width + 2 x side drop
Quilt length = mattress length + foot drop + pillow tuck
Quilt size chart
Mattress sizes come from the Better Sleep Council and the Sleep Foundation. The Council lists a full as 53 inches wide and the Sleep Foundation lists 54. We use 54. Quilt sizes are width by length in inches.
| Bed | Mattress | 10 in drop | 14 in drop | 14 in drop + 10 in tuck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 27 x 52 | 47 x 62 | 55 x 66 | 55 x 76 |
| Twin | 38 x 75 | 58 x 85 | 66 x 89 | 66 x 99 |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 58 x 90 | 66 x 94 | 66 x 104 |
| Full | 54 x 75 | 74 x 85 | 82 x 89 | 82 x 99 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 80 x 90 | 88 x 94 | 88 x 104 |
| King | 76 x 80 | 96 x 90 | 104 x 94 | 104 x 104 |
| California King | 72 x 84 | 92 x 94 | 100 x 98 | 100 x 108 |
Drop applies to both sides and the foot. A crib quilt with a drop is rare; many crib quilts are made the size of the mattress top or smaller.
Printable quilt sizes chart
Save or pin this chart for your sewing room. Right click or long press to save it, or use the print button.
Mattress sizes for quilters
A twin mattress is 38 by 75 inches and a twin XL is 38 by 80. A full is 53 to 54 by 75. A queen is 60 by 80, a king is 76 by 80, and a California king is 72 by 84. A crib mattress is about 27 by 52 inches.
Width and length are set, but depth is not. The Sleep Foundation notes that mattress height varies by brand and model. A deep pillow top can eat up most of a 10 inch drop. Measure from the top edge to where you want the quilt to stop.
Picking a drop
- Just past the mattress: measure the mattress depth and add an inch or two.
- Covering the box spring: measure from the top of the mattress to just below the bed rail.
- Near the floor: measure to just above the floor.
A bed against a wall only needs a drop on one side. Set the side drop to the larger value and trim the width later if you like.
Plan for shrinkage
Quilting and washing pull a quilt in. The Warm Company says its Warm and Natural cotton batting can shrink 3% in the first cold wash. Quilters Dream lists 1% for its cotton in a cold wash and 3% in a warm wash. If you want a quilt that still fits after washing, set the shrink allowance to match your batting.
Next steps
FAQ
What size is a queen quilt?
A queen mattress is 60 by 80 inches. With a 14 inch drop on the sides and foot, the quilt is 88 by 94 inches. Add 10 inches to tuck under the pillows and it becomes 88 by 104 inches. Thicker mattresses need a longer drop.
What size is a king quilt?
A king mattress is 76 by 80 inches. A 14 inch drop gives a 104 by 94 inch quilt. With a 10 inch tuck it is 104 by 104 inches. A California king mattress is 72 by 84 inches, so its quilt is narrower and longer.
What size is a twin quilt?
A twin mattress is 38 by 75 inches. A 14 inch drop gives a 66 by 89 inch quilt. A twin XL mattress is 5 inches longer at 38 by 80 inches, so add 5 inches to the quilt length.
What is the drop on a quilt?
The drop is how far the quilt hangs down past the top edge of the mattress. You double it for the width because it hangs on both sides. For the length you add it once, for the foot of the bed.
How much should I add for a pillow tuck?
The American Quilter's Society suggests 6 to 10 extra inches. Big or very full pillows may need more. Skip the tuck if you use shams or keep pillows on top of the quilt.
Is there one official standard quilt size?
No. Mattress sizes are standard, but quilt sizes depend on the drop, the tuck and the depth of the mattress. Measure your dressed bed and use the calculator to get a size that fits.
What size is a throw or lap quilt?
Throws and lap quilts are not tied to a mattress, so there is no set size. Fat Quarter Shop uses 48 by 62 inches as its lap example. Size a throw to the person who will use it.