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Pillow sizing seems like it should be straightforward, but walk into any bedding store and you will find at least five different size labels. Standard, queen, king, super standard, Euro, body, travel. It can be hard to know which size you actually need, especially when the differences between some sizes are only a few inches.

Those few inches matter more than you might think. The right pillow size affects how your bed looks, how well you sleep, and whether your pillowcase actually fits properly. This guide covers every standard pillow size with exact measurements, plus practical advice on which one works best for your situation.

Complete Pillow Sizes Chart

Here are the standard pillow dimensions used in Canada. These measurements are for the pillow itself, not the pillowcase.

All standard pillow sizes are 20 inches tall (top to bottom). The only difference between standard, queen, and king is the width. This is important to remember because pillow height (loft) is determined by the fill amount and type, not the size designation. A flat standard pillow and a flat king pillow are both 20 inches tall, but the king is 10 inches wider.

Which Pillow Size for Your Bed

Matching pillow size to bed size is partly about function and partly about appearance. Here is what works best for each bed width.

Brad, our senior consultant, has a practical take on this. If you care about how the bed looks, match the pillow width to the bed width. If you only care about sleeping comfort, use whatever pillow size gives you the right support. Nobody is going to check your pillow dimensions in the middle of the night.

Pillow Size and Sleep Position

Your sleep position should influence your pillow size choice as much as your bed size does.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers generally do well with any pillow size. The width is less critical because you are centred on the pillow and not moving side to side as much. A standard pillow provides plenty of surface area. Focus more on loft (height) and firmness than on width. A medium-loft pillow that keeps your head level with your spine is ideal.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers benefit from wider pillows (queen or king size). When you sleep on your side, you naturally shift position throughout the night. A wider pillow means your head stays supported even when you move. The extra width also provides a larger surface for the shoulder-to-head transition. Side sleepers typically need a higher-loft pillow to fill the gap between the mattress and the head, keeping the spine aligned.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers often do best with a standard-size pillow because they tend to scrunch the pillow under their head. A very wide pillow can force the head too high when sleeping face down. Some stomach sleepers prefer no pillow at all, or a very thin, soft standard pillow. If you sleep on your stomach, pillow width matters less than keeping the loft minimal to avoid neck strain.

Specialty Pillow Sizes

Beyond the standard sizes, several specialty pillows serve specific purposes.

Body Pillows

At 20" x 54", body pillows are designed to support the full length of the torso and legs. They are popular with pregnant women, people recovering from surgery, and side sleepers who want something to hug while sleeping. Placing a body pillow between the knees helps maintain hip alignment and reduces lower back pressure.

Wedge Pillows

Wedge pillows come in various sizes but are typically 24" x 24" x 7-12" (width x length x height). They are not measured the same way as standard pillows because their triangular shape makes flat dimensions less meaningful. Wedge pillows elevate the upper body for acid reflux relief, post-surgery recovery, or breathing improvement.

Euro Pillows

Euro pillows (26" x 26") are square and most commonly used as decorative shams that sit behind the sleeping pillows. But they also work well as back support pillows for reading or watching television in bed. If you use your bed as a sitting space during the day, Euro pillows are more practical than decorative throw pillows because they actually provide real support.

CPAP Pillows

CPAP-compatible pillows typically measure 20" x 26" (standard size) but have cutouts or contours on the sides to accommodate the CPAP mask and hose. The dimensions match standard pillowcases, but the shape is specifically designed for sleep apnea therapy users.

Matching Pillowcases to Pillow Sizes

Getting the wrong pillowcase size is a small but annoying problem. Here is how pillowcase sizes line up with pillow sizes.

A common question is whether you can use a queen pillowcase on a standard pillow. Yes, it works. The extra few inches of fabric tuck under or behind the pillow. The reverse does not work well. A standard pillowcase on a queen pillow will be too tight, and the pillow may bunch or not fit inside the case properly.