Quick Answer: What are the Measurements?
A standard King Size Pillowcase measures approximately 20 inches x 36 inches (51 cm x 92 cm). This is designed to fit a King pillow (20" x 36") with a little room to spare.
Comparison: A Standard/Queen case is only 20" x 30".
Why it matters: If you try to squeeze a King pillow into a Standard case, it will become a hard, overstuffed sausage that is terrible for your neck. Always match the case to the pillow size.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
5 min read
You bought a new King bed for your master suite in Brantford. You bought the sheets. But when you put your old pillows on it, they look... tiny. It's time to upgrade to King pillows. But before you buy, you need to understand the sizing to ensure your pillowcases fit.
At Mattress Miracle, we see this mistake often: customers buy a new King sheet set but keep their old Standard pillows, leaving them with 6 inches of floppy, empty fabric at the end of the case.
Prefer to shop in person? Our Brantford store is on West Street.
Dimensions: Standard vs. Queen vs. King
- Standard Pillow: 20" x 26"
- Queen Pillow: 20" x 30" (Often used interchangeably with Standard cases)
- King Pillow: 20" x 36"
The Gap Problem: Two Standard pillows side-by-side measure 52 inches wide. A King bed is 76 inches wide. That leaves a 24-inch gap in the middle of the bed.
Two King pillows measure 72 inches wide. They fill the head of the bed almost perfectly.
Why Use King Pillows?
1. Width Coverage: As mentioned, they look proportionate on a King bed.
2. Rolling Room: If you toss and turn, a longer pillow means you don't roll off the edge in the middle of the night.
3. Body Pillow Hack: A King pillow is long enough to use as a mini body pillow between your knees for side sleeping.
Styling Your Bed
The Hotel Look:
Two King pillows (in matching shams) standing upright against the headboard.
Two Standard pillows (sleeping pillows) stacked in front.
The Minimalist:
Just two King pillows laid flat. Clean, simple, effective.
Choosing the Right Case
Since the pillowcase touches your face for 8 hours, material is key.
- Silk/Satin (20x36): Great for preventing hair frizz and sleep wrinkles. Ensure it has a zipper, or the long heavy pillow will slide out.
- Cotton Percale: Crisp and cool. Look for an envelope closure (an extra flap of fabric inside) to hide the end of the pillow.
- Bamboo: Soft and cooling. Ideal for hot sleepers.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut a King pillowcase down?
Yes, if you have a sewing machine. You can easily hem 6 inches off the open end to make it fit a Standard pillow.
Do King sheet sets come with King pillowcases?
Usually, yes. A King sheet set almost always includes two 20x40 (finished size) cases designed for King pillows. Check the package to be sure.
Where can I buy just the cases?
We sell standalone King pillowcase pairs at Mattress Miracle. You don't have to buy a whole new sheet set just to upgrade your pillows.
Are King pillows bad for your neck?
Only if they are too high. The length doesn't affect your neck, but the loft (height) does. Ensure the height aligns your spine.
Upgrade Your Pillows in Brantford
Tired of tiny pillows on a huge bed? Visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street. We stock King size pillows and the luxury cases to cover them.
Sources
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Verhaert V, Haex B, De Wilde T, et al. Ergonomics in bed design: the effect of spinal alignment on sleep parameters. Ergonomics. 2011;54(2):169-178. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2010.538725
- Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K. Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14. DOI: 10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
- Cary D, Briffa K, McKenna L. Identifying relationships between sleep posture and non-specific spinal symptoms in adults: A scoping review. BMJ Open. 2019;9(6):e027633. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027633
Sources
- Li, Y. et al. (2024). "How do sleepwear and bedding fibre types affect sleep quality." Journal of Sleep Research, 33(2), e14217. PubMed 39133589.
- Lan, L. et al. (2014). "Thermal environment and sleep quality: A review." Indoor Air, 24(5), 475-481. PubMed 24766475.
- Better Sleep Council Canada. (2023). Bedding Care Guide. bettersleep.org
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available, wheelchair accessible. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.