Pillow Sizes: 40x80, 80x80 and More Compared
Which size suits your bed and the way you sleep, and what to look for when choosing a pillowcase.
Common sizes at a glance
Whether 40x80 or 80x80 cm suits you better depends on your bed, how you sleep and what you are used to. The 80 × 80 cm square offers plenty of surface and is easy to shape. The 40 × 80 cm rectangle is narrower and is often used as a second pillow or in narrow beds. There is no "right" or "wrong", it is a matter of taste.
In German-speaking countries you will mainly come across these sizes:
- 80 × 80 cm: large square
- 40 × 80 cm: long rectangle
- 50 × 70 cm: medium rectangle
- 60 × 60 cm: medium square
- 40 × 60 cm and 40 × 40 cm: smaller sizes, for example as an extra or travel pillow
Dimensions are always nominal values. Depending on the filling, a pillow can look slightly shorter or thicker. Please check the details on the product page and the care label.
40x80: the slim size
The 40 × 80 cm size lies across the bed, with the head resting in the middle. It works well in a single bed, or in a double bed if each person has their own pillow.
Typical advantages:
- It takes up little space, leaving more room in a single bed.
- It is easy to position under the head and can be folded or scrunched as you like.
- Pillowcases in this size are widely available.
Typical disadvantages:
- If you move a lot at night, you slip off the edge more easily.
- The shoulders usually no longer rest on the pillow.
At KomfortKissen, 40 × 80 cm is available in the Wolkenkissen. The 2-piece set of pillows also comes in this size. The respective product page shows which sizes are currently available.
80x80: plenty of surface to shape
The 80 × 80 cm square is a common size. It offers more surface for the head and often part of the shoulders, and tends to stay under your head when you turn.
Advantages:
- More lying surface if you sleep restlessly.
- Easy to fold or prop up if you want to shape the height yourself.
- Looks generous in a double bed.
Disadvantages:
- It needs more space and quickly looks large in a narrow bed.
- Washing and drying take longer because the pillow has more volume.
- It is harder to store.
The Wolkenkissen and both 2-piece sets (polyester and cotton) come in 80 × 80 cm. If you like a square and move around a lot, this is one option. If you prefer a narrow pillow, you are more likely to stay with 40 × 80 cm.
40x60, 50x70 and special sizes
Besides the two classics there are in-between sizes. 50 × 70 cm is a middle way: more surface than a narrow pillow, but less volume than 80 × 80 cm. 60 × 60 cm is a more compact square. 40 × 60 cm suits small beds or serves as an extra pillow.
Special sizes serve a different purpose:
- The butterfly pillow measures 61 × 40 × 13 cm and has two different heights, one per side.
- The flat pillow measures 60 × 40 × 5 cm and is deliberately low.
- The body pillow measures approx. 150 × 100 cm and is an extra pillow, not a replacement for the head pillow.
Small sizes such as 40 × 40 cm are more of an extra or travel pillow. As a main pillow, people usually choose 40 × 80, 50 × 70 or 80 × 80 cm.
Finding matching pillowcases
The pillowcase should match the pillow size. If it is much larger, it creases. If it is too tight, it strains and the pillow looks flatter.
How to proceed:
- Measure the pillow on a flat surface without squashing it.
- Compare the measurements with the size stated on the pillowcase. A difference of one to two centimetres is usually normal.
- Look for a zip or envelope closure so the pillowcase is easy to change.
On the KomfortKissen Wolkenkissen, butterfly pillow and body pillow, the cover is removable. For how to care for it, see the guide Washing pillows.
Do the shoulders rest on the pillow?
When comparing sizes, it is worth asking: where should the shoulders lie? That is a matter of habit. Some people rest only the head on the pillow, others slide part of the shoulder onto it.
As a rough guide:
- Only the head rests on the pillow: 40 × 80 or 50 × 70 cm are usually enough.
- Head and shoulder area: 80 × 80 cm offers more room.
- Very restless sleep: a larger size tends to stay under the head.
Height plays a role independently of surface size. You can read more in the guide Pillow height.
Size table
| Situation | Possible size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Single bed (90 cm) | 40 × 80 or 50 × 70 cm | Leaves more room in the bed |
| Double bed, one pillow each | 80 × 80 or 40 × 80 cm | A matter of taste |
| A lot of movement in sleep | 80 × 80 cm | Tends to stay under the head |
| Space-saving or for travel | 40 × 60 or 40 × 40 cm | More of an extra pillow |
| Second pillow for guests | 2-piece set of pillows | Two pillows in the set |
The table gives pointers, not fixed rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is 40x80 or 80x80 better?
Neither is better in general. 80 × 80 cm offers more surface and tends to stay under the head when you turn, while 40 × 80 cm is narrower and saves space in the bed. What matters is how you sleep, the width of your bed and what feels familiar to you.
Which pillow size fits a double bed?
In a double bed, many people use two pillows in 80 × 80 cm or 40 × 80 cm, one per person. Which size you choose is a matter of taste. What matters is that both have enough room and the pillows do not push each other around.
Does an 80x80 pillowcase fit a 40x80 pillow?
As a rule, no. The pillowcase would be too wide and would crease. Choose a pillowcase in the same size as the pillow. A difference of one to two centimetres is usually fine, larger differences fit badly.
Which sizes does the Wolkenkissen come in?
The Wolkenkissen comes in 40 × 60, 40 × 80, 50 × 70, 60 × 60 and 80 × 80 cm, single or as a 2-piece set. The height can be set via the amount of filling. The product page shows which sizes are currently available.
Can I return a pillow if the size does not fit?
Information on withdrawal, returns and sending items back can be found under Shipping & returns. Before ordering, check the dimensions on the product page and compare them with your pillowcase.