UK Pillow Sizes: Standard, King and Body Pillow Dimensions

By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026

UK pillow sizes come down to two rectangles, standard and king, plus a few less common shapes. The size that matters most is the pillowcase, because a king case on a standard pillow leaves an empty flap and a standard case will not close over a king pillow. Below are the sizes you will see in UK shops, in centimetres, and how they relate to each bed. If you are measuring a whole bed, our UK bed sizes guide covers duvets and sheets as well.

The main UK pillow sizes at a glance

Square sizes are more common in continental Europe than here, so check the case and pillow come from the same size range.

Why the pillow is smaller than the pillowcase

A pillowcase is cut slightly larger than the pillow inside it so the pillow can slide in without a fight, and so the corners of the case are filled rather than strained. Our standard pillow insert measures 48 × 73.5 cm and goes into a 50 × 75 cm case.

The third number you sometimes see, such as 48 × 73.5 × 20 cm, is the depth or loft of the pillow when it is new and fully plumped. Loft varies with the fill and how the pillow has been fluffed, so treat it as a guide rather than a fixed measurement. Our guide to pillow fill weight and loft goes into this in more detail.

How many pillows fit across each bed

The width of the mattress decides how many pillows sit side by side. UK mattresses are usually 90 cm wide for a single, 135 cm for a double, 150 cm for a king and 180 cm for a super king.

• Single (90 cm wide): one standard pillow, with a little room either side.
• Double (135 cm wide): two standard pillows, which run slightly past the edges.
• King (150 cm wide): two standard pillows fit almost exactly, end to end.
• Super king (180 cm wide): two king pillows fit exactly, or two standard pillows with a gap you can fill with a square or cushion.

That is why king pillows usually go on super king beds and standard pillows on everything else. For layouts and how many to stack, see how many pillows to have on a bed.

How to measure a pillow you already own

Step 1: Take the case off

Measure the bare pillow, not the pillow in its case, and lay it flat on the bed rather than holding it up.

Step 2: Measure seam to seam

Measure the length along one long edge and the width along one short edge, from seam to seam. Do not press down into the fill.

Step 3: Match it to a case

If the pillow is around 48 to 50 cm by 70 to 75 cm, it is a standard and needs a 50 × 75 cm case. If it is around 50 × 90 cm, it is a king. Anything square, or longer than 100 cm, needs its own size of case.

Body pillows and other long pillows

A body pillow is a long, narrow pillow that lies lengthways on the bed. There is no single UK size, so check the pillow and case dimensions together. Ours is 48 × 125 cm and its cotton case is 45 × 150 cm, with the extra length taken up by a deep envelope fold. We cover the details in what is a body pillow.

The pillow and pillowcase sizes we sell

We keep to the two UK rectangular sizes plus a body pillow, so everything fits together.

• Pillows: the classic microfibre pillow insert, medium-firm, from £23.90, and the microgel pillow insert in soft, medium or firm, from £33.90. Both come in standard (48 × 73.5 × 20 cm) and king (50 × 90 × 20 cm).
• Pillowcases: every pillowcase pair comes in standard 50 × 75 cm and king 50 × 90 cm, from Plain Cotton at £12.90 a standard pair to Linen. All close with an envelope fold, with no zips or buttons.
• Body pillow: the body pillow insert, 48 × 125 cm, at £37.90, with a Plain Cotton case sold separately.

We do not stock cases for square pillows, but a 65 × 65 or 80 × 80 cm pillowcase can be cut to order. Send the measurements and a person prices it. For help deciding between the two rectangular sizes, read standard vs king pillowcases.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a standard pillow in the UK?

A UK standard pillowcase is 50 × 75 cm, and the pillow that goes in it is usually a little smaller so it slides in easily. Our standard pillow insert measures 48 × 73.5 cm.

What size is a king size pillow in the UK?

A UK king pillowcase is 50 × 90 cm, so it is the same width as a standard but 15 cm longer. King pillows are usually close to that size too.

Will a king pillow fit in a standard pillowcase?

No. A king pillow is about 15 cm longer than a standard case, so the open end will not close over it. A standard pillow will go into a king case, but it leaves loose fabric at one end.

How many standard pillows fit on a king bed?

Two. A UK king mattress is 150 cm wide, and two standard pillows are about 150 cm end to end, so they fit almost exactly.

What size is a Euro pillow?

Euro or square pillows are usually 65 × 65 cm, and larger continental ones are often 80 × 80 cm. They are typically propped upright behind rectangular pillows rather than slept on.

How do I measure a pillow?

Take the case off, lay the pillow flat and measure seam to seam along one long edge and one short edge without pressing into the fill. Around 50 × 75 cm is standard and around 50 × 90 cm is king.