How to size a quilt
Start with the top of the mattress, then decide how far the quilt should hang down the sides. Add that drop to both sides for the width. For the length, add the drop at the foot, plus extra at the head if you like to fold the quilt over or tuck it under the pillows. Mattress depth has grown over the years, so measure from the top of yours to where you want the quilt to stop.
When you know the size, the quilt calculator works out backing, batting and binding for it.
How much drop each quilt size gives
Set each standard quilt on its matching US mattress and you can see how much hangs over. The side drop is half the difference in width. The foot column is the extra length to share between the foot of the bed and a pillow tuck.
| Quilt on mattress | Side drop | Extra length |
|---|---|---|
| Crib 36 × 52 on 28 × 52 | 4" | 0" |
| Twin 68 × 86 on 38 × 75 | 15" | 11" |
| Full 84 × 90 on 54 × 75 | 15" | 15" |
| Queen 90 × 95 on 60 × 80 | 15" | 15" |
| King 108 × 95 on 76 × 80 | 16" | 15" |
The four bed sizes give 15 or 16 inches at each side, enough to cover a box spring as well as the mattress. The extra length is only 11 to 15 inches, which is tight if you also want a pillow tuck. Missouri Star says a tuck usually takes 8 to 10 inches, and Stitchin' Heaven says 10 to 20. If you want both a foot drop and a tuck, add length or use the calculator at the top of this page.
Why quilt size charts disagree
Look at two charts and the same size can differ by 10 inches or more. This chart uses the sizes Missouri Star lists. The Stitchin' Heaven quilt size chart gives longer "typical" sizes.
| Quilt | This chart (in) | Stitchin' Heaven (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Crib | 36 × 52 | 36 × 52 |
| Throw | 50 × 65 | 60 × 72 |
| Twin | 68 × 86 | 68 × 88 |
| Full | 84 × 90 | 80 × 90 |
| Queen | 90 × 95 | 90 × 108 |
| King | 108 × 95 | 108 × 108 |
Stitchin' Heaven explains the gap. A chart's size depends on how far the quilt hangs, whether it covers the pillows and how deep the mattress is. Many charts also land on packaged batting sizes, such as 90 × 108 inches for a queen, because designers size quilts to fit batting off the shelf. Missouri Star adds that finished sizes vary by 2 to 4 inches with the pattern, binding and batting loft. Missouri Star also lists a California king quilt at 102 × 100 inches.
Measure the mattress depth
Mattress depth decides how much drop you need. Phoebe Moon puts most mattresses at 8 to 12 inches deep and pillow-top mattresses at 14 to 18 inches. Missouri Star says pillow tops, memory foam and extra-deep mattresses can add 2 to 6 inches. For a standard overhang, it suggests a drop of 10 to 12 inches per side. Stitchin' Heaven suggests measuring with the sheets, blankets and pillows in place, since a bare mattress gives a quilt that comes up short.
Dorm beds are a common trap. Stitchin' Heaven notes that most dorms use Twin XL mattresses, which are 5 inches longer than a standard twin, as the mattress table above shows.
Smaller quilt sizes
Quilts that are not for a bed have the widest ranges. These sizes come from the sources named in each row.
| Quilt | Size (in) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small baby quilt | 30 × 30 or 30 × 40 | Designed to Quilt |
| Wheelchair quilt | About 36 × 40 | Missouri Star |
| Lap quilt | 36 to 50 wide, 48 to 60 long | Treasurie |
| Throw quilt | 50 to 70 wide, 60 to 80 long | Treasurie |
Missouri Star sizes the wheelchair quilt to cover the lap without catching in the wheels. For baby quilts, both Designed to Quilt and Stitchin' Heaven advise against loose bedding in a crib for infants. A baby quilt is for play time or supervised use.