Pillowcase Size Chart: Every Size in Inches and Centimetres for Canadian Shoppers

Buying a pillowcase should be simple, but a surprising number of Canadians end up with cases that are too short for their pillows, bunched at the open end, or stretched across a pillow that is too large. The root cause is almost always a mismatch between pillow size and pillowcase size. This pillowcase size chart covers every standard size in both inches and centimetres, explains which pillow fits which case, and includes the Canadian context for sizing conventions.

Complete Pillowcase Size Chart

Pillowcase Sizes in Inches and Centimetres (Canada / North America)

Pillowcase Size	Dimensions (Inches)	Dimensions (Centimetres)	Fits Pillow Size
Standard	20 x 26 in	51 x 66 cm	Standard / Twin (20 x 26 in)
Queen	20 x 30 in	51 x 76 cm	Queen (20 x 30 in)
King	20 x 40 in	51 x 102 cm	King (20 x 36 in)
Euro	26 x 26 in	66 x 66 cm	Euro (26 x 26 in)
Body Pillow	20 x 54 in	51 x 137 cm	Body Pillow (20 x 54 in)
European (smaller variant)	~25.5 x 25.5 in	65 x 65 cm	European Pillow (65 x 65 cm)

Standard Pillowcase: 20 x 26 Inches (51 x 66 cm)

The standard pillowcase is the most widely available size in Canada and fits standard and twin pillows, which share the 20 x 26 inch dimension. Most budget bedding sets, hotel linen sets, and single-bed sets include standard pillowcases. They are sold in pairs at every price point from discount retailers to specialty linen stores.

The standard case is dimensioned to match the pillow exactly. The cotton or fabric in the case has enough give that the pillow inserts with a snug fit; the case does not need extra length because the closure style (envelope flap or zippered end) holds the pillow in place. If a standard pillowcase feels too loose on your pillow, the pillow may have compressed from age and needs replacing rather than the case going up in size.

Households with twin beds or bunk beds almost always use standard pillowcases. The standard case also works on throw pillows and decorative pillows in the 20 x 26 inch dimension, making it a versatile size for the whole home.

Queen Pillowcase: 20 x 30 Inches (51 x 76 cm)

Queen pillows and queen pillowcases are both 20 x 30 inches. The queen size is 4 inches longer than standard. On a queen or king bed, that extra length allows the pillow to fill the space between the headboard and the sleeper's shoulder more comfortably than a standard pillow.

The most common sizing error in Canadian households is placing a standard pillowcase on a queen pillow. The result is 4 inches of uncovered pillow at the open end, which bunches awkwardly and allows the pillow to shift inside the case during sleep. If your pillowcase is consistently pulling off or the open end looks loose and untidy, confirm that your pillow is actually 26 inches long, not 30. Queen pillows are now the default sold with most queen and king bed sets, which means standard cases are often the wrong size even when the label says "queen bed set."

King Pillowcase: 20 x 40 Inches (51 x 102 cm)

King pillows measure 20 x 36 inches. King pillowcases measure 20 x 40 inches, giving the case 4 extra inches of length beyond the pillow. That extra fabric forms the closure overlap or tuck at the open end. Some king pillowcase designs use an envelope closure where the extra fabric wraps inside itself; others simply have a deeper open pocket.

King pillows span the full width of a king bed and are typically sold in pairs. Because of their length, they are also commonly used as reading pillows propped against a headboard. King pillowcases are slightly harder to find at mass-market retailers and are more commonly stocked at specialty bedding stores and online.

Note that California king beds use the same king size pillows and pillowcases as standard king beds. The California king bed is longer and narrower than a standard king, but the pillow dimensions and corresponding pillowcase sizes do not change.

Euro Pillowcase: 26 x 26 Inches (66 x 66 cm)

Euro pillows are square and used almost exclusively as decorative back pillows in bed styling, stacked against the headboard in front of sleeping pillows. Euro pillowcases match the 26 x 26 inch pillow dimension exactly. Because euro pillows are not slept on in the traditional sense, some households use decorative euro shams rather than plain pillowcases , a sham has a decorative flange (border) around the edge that adds visual definition on a made bed.

European households sometimes use a slightly smaller 65 x 65 cm pillow rather than the North American 66 x 66 cm (26 x 26 inch) size. The difference of 1 cm is small enough that a 26 x 26 inch North American case fits a 65 x 65 cm European pillow adequately, though it will be very slightly loose. If you are importing European pillows or pillowcases, check the exact centimetre measurement rather than assuming the square size is universal.

Body Pillow Pillowcase: 20 x 54 Inches (51 x 137 cm)

Body pillows are 20 x 54 inches. The matching pillowcase shares those dimensions and typically uses a zipper closure rather than an envelope flap because the length makes an open-end design impractical. Body pillow cases are less commonly stocked at general retailers and are more readily available through bedding specialty stores and online.

Pregnancy pillows and U-shaped full-body pillows are a separate category. These require custom cases that match their specific curved or U-shaped dimensions, which vary by manufacturer. Standard body pillow cases (20 x 54 inches) do not fit U-shaped pregnancy pillows. The specialty case for these pillows is typically sold by the pillow's manufacturer.

Pillow-to-Pillowcase Matching Reference

Which Pillowcase Fits Which Pillow

Pillow Name	Pillow Dimensions	Correct Pillowcase Size
Standard / Twin	20 x 26 in (51 x 66 cm)	Standard (20 x 26 in)
Queen	20 x 30 in (51 x 76 cm)	Queen (20 x 30 in)
King	20 x 36 in (51 x 91 cm)	King (20 x 40 in)
California King Pillow	20 x 36 in (same as king)	King (20 x 40 in)
Euro	26 x 26 in (66 x 66 cm)	Euro (26 x 26 in)
Body Pillow	20 x 54 in (51 x 137 cm)	Body Pillow (20 x 54 in)
European (metric)	65 x 65 cm (~25.5 x 25.5 in)	Euro (26 x 26 in) , slightly loose

Are Canadian Pillowcase Sizes the Same as American Sizes?

Yes. Canadian and American pillowcase sizes are identical. Standard (20 x 26 in), queen (20 x 30 in), king (20 x 40 in), and euro (26 x 26 in) are consistent across both countries. Canadian retailers label sizes in inches on most domestic products, though centimetre measurements may appear on products imported from European manufacturers.

When ordering bedding from American online retailers that ship to Canada, the size labels apply directly with no conversion or adjustment needed. This applies to brands like Parachute, Brooklinen, and Boll and Branch, all of which ship to Canada and use North American standard sizing.

How Pillowcase Size Affects Sleep Quality

A properly sized pillowcase does more than look tidy. When the case fits correctly, the pillow inside maintains its intended shape and loft throughout the night. An oversized case allows the pillow to shift inside it, creating folds that place uneven pressure on the neck. An undersized case compresses the pillow and reduces its effective loft, which is particularly problematic for structured orthopedic pillows where precise loft is the whole point of the design.

The fabric of the pillowcase also matters alongside size. A correctly sized pillowcase in a high-quality cotton weave performs better than a poorly fitted case in the finest material. Getting both dimensions correct is the foundation of a functional bedding setup. For a full explanation of how to choose between sizes based on your pillow type and bed configuration, the guide to pillowcase sizes covers common buying decisions and mistakes in detail.

Related bedding reference guides worth bookmarking include the bedsheet sizes in inches chart for matching complete bed linen sets, and the blanket sizes chart for understanding how top-layer dimensions relate to bed width.

Citations

1. American Textile Manufacturers Institute. Standard Bedding Dimensions for North America. Archived reference, accessed March 2026.
2. Sleep Foundation. Pillow Sizes Guide. sleepfoundation.org. Accessed March 2026.
3. Government of Canada. Consumer Product Labelling Requirements. canada.ca. Accessed March 2026.
4. Better Sleep Council Canada. Sleep Surface and Pillow Sizing Reference. bettersleep.org. Accessed March 2026.

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