Swedish bed sizes: how sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases work

Few things affect a night's sleep as quietly and as clearly as sheets and duvet cover sets in the right size. A duvet cover that is a centimetre too short rides up at the feet, a pillowcase that is too large lets the pillow slide around, and a fitted sheet without enough depth jumps off the corner of the mattress in the middle of the night. The good news is that Swedish bed sizes follow a fairly logical system. Once you recognise the most common standard sizes, it becomes simple to shop correctly — whether you are building a brand-new bed or just replacing a worn pillowcase. This guide goes through the sizes that are common in Swedish bedrooms, how they relate to one another and how to think when you choose. If you want to see the exact measurements of a specific item, you'll always find them in our size guide.

Bed sizes – the foundation for everything

Before we look at the bed textiles themselves, it is worth understanding the bed, since all the measurements are tied to it. In Sweden, beds almost always have a standard length of 200 cm, while the width varies. It is the width that determines which category the bed belongs to.

Single beds usually come in 80, 90, 105 and 120 cm widths, with 90 cm by far the most common measurement. Double beds most often start at 140 cm and continue via 160 cm up to 180 cm, which many regard as the classic Scandinavian double bed, often built from two 90 cm beds side by side. A queen bed is normally 160 x 200 cm. For taller people there are also 210 cm long beds. You can read more about how the different sizes relate to one another at KungSängen and in a comparative overview at Vilken Storlek.

Duvet covers – the two measurements you need to know

The duvet cover follows the duvet, not the bed. This means two people in the same double bed often sleep under their own single duvet with their own duvet cover — a very common Swedish way of making the bed that gives each person their own climate through the night.

Common Swedish standard sizes for duvet covers

• 150 x 210 cm – the standard for a single duvet, the most common duvet cover in Swedish homes.
• 220 x 220 cm – the standard for a double duvet, square and generous.
• 150 x 200 cm – found for slightly shorter single duvets.
• 200 x 220 cm – a wider variant used for certain double duvets.

The rule of thumb is simple: measure the duvet, not the bed. A duvet cover should sit snugly without being tight. If it is too large, the duvet shifts around inside and the bed looks unfinished; if it is too small, the filling is pressed together. If you buy a complete duvet cover set, you get the duvet cover and pillowcase in matching sizes, which makes the choice easier. If you would rather put the bed together yourself, you'll find duvet covers and sheets separately in the sheets category.

Pillowcases – small measurements with great significance

The pillowcase should follow the pillow, and here there are two measurements that dominate Swedish bedrooms. The difference between them is mostly a matter of tradition and feel.

Common pillowcase sizes

• 50 x 60 cm – the classic Swedish pillowcase, just right and most common.
• 65 x 65 cm – a larger, square format that gives a fuller, more hotel-like bed.
• 50 x 90 cm – an elongated format found for longer pillows.

Many choose to mix: a pair of large 65 x 65 at the back against the headboard and a pair of 50 x 60 in front, for a bed with depth and dimension. The most important thing is that the pillowcase's measurements match the pillow's. A pillow of 50 x 60 cm in a pillowcase of 65 x 65 cm will gape and look empty. Our entire selection of pillowcases is specified with exact measurements so that you can easily pair the right size with your pillows.

Flat sheets and fitted sheets – what keeps the bed in place

The sheet closest to the mattress comes in two main types, and the choice between them is mostly a matter of taste.

Fitted sheets

A fitted sheet (also called an elasticated sheet) has elastic sewn around the entire edge and is pulled down over the mattress like a cap. It sits firmly and smoothly, which many appreciate. Here the decisive measurement is the mattress's depth — a fitted sheet for a 20 cm thick mattress sits poorly on a mattress topper that is 30 cm high. Common widths follow the bed sizes: 90 x 200, 105 x 200, 120 x 200 and so on.

Flat sheets

A flat sheet is a rectangle without elastic that is tucked in under the mattress. It is flexible and fits different mattress depths, but requires a little more care when making the bed to lie smoothly. Flat sheets are best bought a couple of sizes larger than the mattress so there is enough to tuck in.

How to choose the right one – a simple workflow

When you are facing a purchase, you can think in three steps, and then it rarely goes wrong:

• Measure the duvet for the duvet cover – one or two single duvets (150 x 210) or a double duvet (220 x 220).
• Measure the pillow for the pillowcase – 50 x 60 or 65 x 65 are the most common.
• Measure the mattress's width and depth for the sheet – especially the depth if you choose a fitted sheet.

Once the measurements are settled, the rest comes down to quality and feel. Weave technique and fibre type determine how the fabric drapes, how cool it feels and how it ages. If you want to understand the difference between a crisp percale weave and a soft, lustrous Supima, you should read our comparison in percale or Supima. And for those who want to build a bed that both looks full and sleeps well, go through building the perfect bed layer by layer.

With us you'll find bed textiles in several weave and material qualities – from the crisp, cool percale duvet cover set Ralph to the soft, luxurious Supima duvet cover set Regency Lee, both available as complete duvet cover sets and as separate sheets and pillowcases. Exact measurements for each item are always stated on the product page and in our size guide, so that you can shop with complete confidence.

Frequently asked questions

What size is an ordinary Swedish duvet cover?

The most common single duvet cover is 150 x 210 cm and fits a single duvet. For a double duvet, 220 x 220 cm is the standard. Always measure the duvet, not the bed, since the duvet cover should follow the duvet's size.

What size is a standard pillowcase in Sweden?

The two most common pillowcase measurements are 50 x 60 cm, which is the classic Swedish format, and 65 x 65 cm, which is a larger square format. The choice is governed by the size of the pillow and how full you want the bed to look.

What is the difference between a fitted sheet and a flat sheet?

A fitted sheet has elastic around the edge and is pulled down over the mattress for a smooth, firm fit – choose according to the depth of the mattress. A flat sheet is a rectangle without elastic that is tucked in under the mattress and fits more mattress depths.

How do I know whether I need one or two duvet covers for the double bed?

It depends on the duvet. If you sleep under your own single duvet each, you need two duvet covers in 150 x 210 cm. If you use a shared double duvet, one duvet cover in 220 x 220 cm is enough.

Where do I find the exact measurements for your products?

The exact measurements are stated on each product page and gathered in our size guide. The measurements in this guide are common Swedish standard sizes and serve as guidance – for a specific item, always go by the product page.