Pillow Size: Standard Sizes and What Really Matters
In Germany, 80 x 80 cm and 40 x 80 cm are the common pillow sizes. For your neck, though, the format says little: what matters is the height of the pillow, and that depends on your body, your sleeping position and your mattress.
Which pillow sizes are common in Germany?
If you search for the normal or standard pillow size, you almost always end up with two formats: 80 x 80 cm (square) and 40 x 80 cm (rectangular, narrower and longer). In Austria, the word Polster is also often used for a pillow.
Both formats are mainly a matter of bed linen. Pillowcases come in these dimensions, and many people buy the format they already know. The format is a matter of habit, not of fit. It tells you which pillowcase goes with it. It doesn't tell you whether the pillow suits your neck and shoulder. Two pillows in the same format can be very different in height, depending on the filling and the model.
Why does the surface area say so little about fit?
When you sleep, your head doesn't lie flat on the mattress. There is a gap between your head and the mattress, and the pillow has to fill that gap. How big it is depends on several things:
- Body measurements: Shoulder width, neck circumference and neck length are different for everyone.
- Sleeping position: When you sleep on your side, the gap between your head and the mattress is usually bigger than when you sleep on your back, because your shoulder increases it. You can read more in our guide The right pillow for side sleepers.
- Mattress: On a soft mattress, your shoulder sinks in deeper than on a firm one. This changes how much height the pillow needs.
For your neck, it's not the surface area that counts, but the height. A pillow of the right height supports your neck and leaves room for your shoulder. You can often tell for yourself whether a pillow is too high or too low. How to do that is explained in the article Is your pillow too high or too low?. We explain how to work out the height under Calculating pillow height.
We also want to be clear about what a well-fitting pillow can't do: it isn't a cure. If you regularly wake up with neck or shoulder pain, please have the cause checked by a doctor.
Comparing formats: what matters?
| Format | What the size stands for | What matters for your neck |
|---|---|---|
| 80 x 80 cm | Common pillow format, square; matching bed linen is easy to find | The format doesn't determine the height. What matters is that the height suits your shoulder width, neck and mattress. |
| 40 x 80 cm | Common pillow format, narrow and long; also a matter of bed linen and habit | Here too, the format says nothing about the height. The same question is key: does the height suit you? |
| Pillowise: 55 x 35 cm | One format in six sizes that differ in height | The size is based on three measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress. |
| Pillow ToGo: 34 x 35 cm | Travel pillow with the same support as the regular pillow, available in all sizes | The same size as at home, so the height is right on the road too. |
The format is about bed linen; the size is about your body. These are two different questions, and only the second one determines how comfortably your neck rests.
How does Pillowise approach size?
The Pillowise pillow measures 55 x 35 cm. There are six sizes that differ in height, and each has its own colour: pink, orange, green, blue, red and purple. Which size is right for you isn't decided by the format, but by your measurements.
The core is made of 100% memory foam and is manufactured in the Netherlands. The pillow has its own cover with a moisture-regulating top made of Tencel and a base layer made of polyester. It is machine washable at 40 °C. The materials are certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.
The travel pillow Pillow ToGo measures 34 x 35 cm. It offers the same support as the regular pillow, is available in all sizes and comes in a sturdy travel bag. You can find more on travelling in our guide Neck pillows for travel.
For children, there is Pillowise Junior in three sizes (Junior 1, 2 and 3), for children aged 4 to 15. There, the size is based on four details.
How do you work out your pillow size?
The method comes from practice. Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist and inventor of Pillowise, couldn't recommend a suitable pillow to his patients with neck complaints. So he developed a measuring method with three measurements. Pillowise grew out of this, together with United Comfort Industries.
- Measure your shoulder width: around the curve of your back. The tape measure shouldn't be pulled tight. You'll find detailed instructions under Measuring shoulder width.
- Measure your neck circumference: once all the way around your neck.
- Measure your neck length: from the lower edge of your ear to the tip of your shoulder.
Then there are your sleeping position (back, side or stomach) and your mattress (soft, medium or firm). From these details, an algorithm selects the right pillow size.
You have two options:
Three measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress help the algorithm select the best-fitting pillow for you.
So: which pillow size do you need?
If you sleep well with your pillow and wake up without neck discomfort, you don't need to change anything. Whether it's 80 x 80 cm or 40 x 80 cm, the format is then simply whatever suits your bed linen and your habit.
It's a different story if you're unsure whether your pillow is the right height, or if you've already tried several pillows without success. In that case, it helps to know your own measurements. The format won't help you there. If symptoms persist, the next step is to see a doctor.
Work out your size yourself or find a retailer near you. You'll find more guides in our overview Guides: the right pillow.
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise
