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Short answer: measure the mattress, including its depth and any topper. A flat sheet must cover the top, both sides, and tuck at least 15 to 20 cm under. Sheets that pop out at night are almost always a size ordered for a thinner mattress.
The formula
Flat sheet width = mattress width + (2 x mattress depth) + (2 x tuck)
Flat sheet length = mattress length + (2 x mattress depth) + (2 x tuck)
Use a tuck of 20 cm. Add extra length if your standard has the top sheet folded back over the duvet.
Worked sizes
Assuming a 25 cm deep mattress and a 20 cm tuck:
| Bed | Mattress | Flat sheet needed |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 200 cm | 180 x 290 cm |
| Queen | 150 x 200 cm | 240 x 290 cm |
| King | 180 x 200 cm | 270 x 290 cm |
Now add a 5 cm topper. Depth becomes 30 cm, and each sheet needs another 10 cm in width and length. A king needs 280 x 300 cm. This is where many hotels go wrong: they upgrade the mattress and keep the old sheet size.
Allow for shrinkage
Cotton sheets shrink a little in their first washes. Specify the size you need after washing, and ask the supplier to cut for it. A sheet that measures 270 cm new and 262 cm after five washes will not hold a tuck.
Fitted sheets
Hotels use fewer fitted sheets than homes do, because flat sheets iron and stack more easily. Where you do use them:
- Pocket depth = mattress depth plus topper, plus about 5 cm.
- State the mattress size exactly. A fitted sheet has no tolerance to spare.
- Ask for strong elastic all the way round, or at least generous corners.
Duvet covers and pillowcases
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Duvet cover | Same size as the duvet, or 2 to 3 cm smaller so the duvet fills it |
| Pillowcase | 3 to 5 cm wider than the pillow, with a flap of 15 to 20 cm to hide the pillow |
| Bed runner | Bed width plus 30 to 40 cm drop each side |
A cover bigger than its duvet looks flat and empty at the edges. A slightly snug cover looks full.
What makes a bed look generous
- Enough sheet to tuck firmly, so the surface is tight.
- A duvet that reaches past the mattress edge on both sides.
- Pillowcases that fit closely, with no loose fabric.
- A top sheet fold-back of 15 to 20 cm in a crisp line.
None of these costs much. All of them depend on sizes worked out from the real mattress.
One size for several beds
To keep stock simple, some hotels buy one flat sheet size that fits both queen and king beds, tucking more on the queen. It works if the queen tuck is not so deep that making the bed becomes slow.
Work out yours
The bed sheet size calculator does this sum for any mattress. Bed linen at 200, 300 and 400 thread count starts at 50 pieces per size, in standard or custom sizes, so non-standard beds are not a problem. For fabric, see the thread count guide. Then send us your mattress sizes.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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