Finding the right quilt size can be surprisingly confusing. Unlike sheets and blankets, quilts don’t have one required size for every bed. The perfect size depends on how you want the finished quilt to look, how deep the mattress is, and how much you want the quilt to hang over the sides.
Whether you’re making a baby quilt, a cozy throw, or a king-size quilt for your bedroom, this guide will help you choose a finished size that works for your project.
Standard Quilt Size Chart
Use these measurements as a starting point when planning your quilt.
| Quilt Type | Approximate Finished Size |
|---|---|
| Baby | 36″ × 45″ |
| Crib | 36″ × 52″ |
| Lap | 40″ × 50″ |
| Throw | 50″ × 60″ |
| Twin | 68″ × 88″ |
| Full/Double | 80″ × 90″ |
| Queen | 90″ × 95″ |
| King | 108″ × 95″ |
These are guidelines rather than rules. One of the wonderful things about making your own quilt is that you get to decide what size works for you.
Baby and Crib Quilt Sizes
Baby quilts are wonderful projects because they’re small enough to finish quickly and give you plenty of room to play with color and design.
A baby quilt around 36″ × 45″ works well for tummy time, cuddling, decorating a nursery, or eventually becoming a favorite little quilt to drag around the house.
If you’re making a quilt specifically for a crib, approximately 36″ × 52″ is a common size. Remember that loose quilts and blankets should not be placed in an infant’s sleep space; a handmade crib quilt can still be enjoyed for supervised use, nursery décor, or when the child is older.
Lap and Throw Quilt Sizes
If you’re making a quilt without a particular bed in mind, a lap or throw quilt may be the perfect choice.
A 40″ × 50″ lap quilt is a manageable project and works beautifully across someone’s lap or the back of a chair.
A 50″ × 60″ throw quilt gives you a little more room for snuggling on the couch while still being much quicker to make than a bed quilt.
And there’s no quilt police! If your favorite block arrangement finishes at 54″ × 66″, congratulations—you’ve made a 54″ × 66″ quilt.
Twin Quilt Size
A twin quilt around 68″ × 88″ gives enough width and length to cover a standard twin mattress with some overhang.
For a child’s bed, you may prefer less overhang. For a taller mattress or a quilt you want to tuck around the pillows, you may want to add extra length.
Full or Double Quilt Size
For a full or double bed, approximately 80″ × 90″ is a useful starting point.
Because a full mattress is wider than a twin, check how much quilt you want hanging over each side before choosing your final dimensions.
Queen Quilt Size
A queen quilt around 90″ × 95″ works for many queen beds, but this is where measuring your actual bed becomes especially helpful.
Today’s mattresses can be surprisingly deep. A quilt that looks generous on a shallow mattress may barely cover the sides of a very thick one.
Before making a queen-size quilt, measure the width of the mattress and decide how far you’d like the quilt to drop on each side.
King Quilt Size
A king quilt around 108″ × 95″ is a good starting point for a standard king bed.
King quilts are big projects, so this is definitely a case where measuring before cutting can save you a lot of frustration later.
If you want a generous drop on both sides or enough length to tuck around pillows, adjust the finished dimensions before calculating your fabric requirements.
How to Choose the Best Quilt Size
Before deciding on the final dimensions of a bed quilt, measure the mattress itself.
Then consider the drop—the amount of quilt you want hanging down each side.
For example, if your mattress is 60″ wide and you’d like the quilt to hang down 15″ on each side:
60″ + 15″ + 15″ = 90″ finished quilt width
You can use the same idea to determine the finished length.
This is often more useful than following a standard quilt-size chart exactly because your bed, mattress, and personal preference determine the size you actually need.
Your Quilt Doesn’t Have to Be a Standard Size
Quilters sometimes get caught up in trying to make a quilt finish at an “official” size.
There really isn’t one.
If changing the size would ruin a beautiful block arrangement, don’t add an awkward row just to hit an arbitrary measurement. Borders can add a few inches when you need them, and sometimes the best solution is simply to let the quilt finish at the size the design wants to be.
The best quilt size is the one that works for your quilt and the person who will use it.
Ready to Find Your Next Quilt?
Now that you have an idea of the size you’d like to make, the fun part begins!
Browse our free quilt patterns and find a design that inspires your next project. With new patterns added regularly, there’s always something new to quilt.
