Pillow Height: How to Find the Right One for You
Criteria you can use as a guide and a checklist for trying things out, without fixed rules.
Working out pillow height: shoulder width and mattress
The right pillow height depends on sleeping position, shoulder width and mattress. There is no single right height for everyone, it is a matter of taste and habit.
The basic idea: the pillow fills the gap between head and mattress. When lying on your side, the shoulder mainly determines how much space is left under the head. When lying on your back, this gap is smaller. That is why many people choose a higher pillow for side sleeping and a lower one for back sleeping.
Here is how you can get your bearings:
- Lie on your side and ask someone to estimate the distance between the edge of your shoulder and your ear.
- Notice how far your shoulder sinks into the mattress.
- Try different heights, over several nights in a row.
This page is about criteria for your own comfort, not about complaints or their causes.
Table: sleeping position and guidance
The table summarises common rules of thumb. It is no substitute for trying things out.
| Sleeping position | Guidance | What you can look for |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Rather higher, depending on shoulder width | The pillow fills the gap between shoulder edge and ear |
| Back | Rather medium to lower | The pillow does not feel too high |
| Changing positions | Medium or adjustable | A pillow that can be adapted |
| Soft mattress | Rather flatter than with a firm one | Shoulder sinks in deeper |
| Firm mattress | Rather higher than with a soft one | More distance between head and mattress |
We deliberately do not give specific cm values here. They depend on your body and your mattress.
The filling changes the height
The filling determines how high a pillow looks and how long it keeps that height.
- Fibre filling: gives way under the head and can be fluffed up.
- Down and feathers: soft, shapeable, need regular fluffing.
- Foam core: keeps its height, feels firmer and gives way under pressure points.
- Shredded foam: can be redistributed and the amount adjusted.
Memory foam adds something: it gives way slowly and moulds to the head. The pillow therefore feels different at first from a fibre pillow of the same height.
Some height details from the range:
- Flat pillow: 60 × 40 × 5 cm, deliberately low.
- Butterfly pillow: 61 × 40 × 13 cm, two heights, one per side.
Making the height adjustable
If you are not sure, a pillow with adjustable filling can be practical, for example the Wolkenkissen. You can adjust the height step by step.
- Wolkenkissen: the filling is shredded memory foam with gel infusion. Using the zip, you can take out or add filling. This way you set the height yourself. No height in cm is given because it depends on the amount of filling.
- Wolkenkissen Air+: pre-filled with 2.2 kg of shredded memory foam. You can loosen the foam and redistribute it inside the pillow.
Important: if you adjust it yourself, you need a few attempts. Proceed in small steps: first take out a little filling, then try lying on it.
Trial checklist
Here is how to check a height at your leisure:
- Try it for several nights: a new pillow often feels unfamiliar at first.
- Change position: check side and back positions one after the other.
- Keep the mattress in mind: if you change mattress or topper, check the height again.
- Get a second pair of eyes: ask someone to look at how your head and shoulder lie.
- Make small changes: add or remove only a little filling, then test again.
Returns and withdrawal: all details are under Shipping & returns.
Do not forget the mattress and topper
If you have a new mattress or a topper, the way the bed feels changes, and with it the suitable pillow height. A softer layer lets shoulders and hips sink deeper, a firmer bed keeps the body higher.
More on how they work together:
- Topper firmness: firmness grades are not standardised, we state the manufacturer's indication.
- Mattress too hard or too soft: pointers on how the surface feels.
Check the pillow again after the change and adjust the height if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a pillow be?
There is no generally valid height. It depends on sleeping position, shoulder width and mattress. When lying on their side, many people choose a higher pillow, and on their back a lower one. Try it for several nights to see whether the height feels right for you.
How do I measure the right pillow height?
Lie in your usual position and estimate how much space is left between your head and the mattress. When lying on your side, this is the distance between the edge of your shoulder and your ear. It is a guide, not an exact measurement.
Which pillow height suits a soft mattress?
On a soft mattress, shoulders and hips sink deeper, so many people choose a slightly flatter pillow. On a firm mattress there is more distance, and a higher pillow may then feel more right. It is a matter of taste.
Can I change the height of a pillow?
Yes, with pillows that have a zip and loose filling. With the Wolkenkissen you can take out or add filling, and with the Wolkenkissen Air+ the foam can be redistributed. This way you set the height in small steps.
I have health complaints. Which pillow helps?
No pillow replaces medical advice. If complaints persist or come back, please talk to a doctor or physiotherapist. Our pillows are not medical products. This page is only about comfort and habit.