Types of pillows explained: shapes, sizes and fills

The main types of pillow are rectangular sleeping pillows (standard, queen and king in North America, standard and king in the UK), square pillows such as the Euro square and the European 65 x 65 cm or 80 x 80 cm, long pillows such as body pillows and bolsters, and small travel pillows. Sizes change from country to country, and each type can be filled with down, feather, fibre, foam or latex.

Pillow types at a glance

Sizes vary by a few centimetres between makers. For a country by country breakdown, see pillow sizes by country.

Standard, queen and king pillows

In the US and Canada, sleeping pillows are rectangles that share a 20 inch width and get longer as the bed gets wider. A standard pillow suits most people and most beds. A queen adds a few inches of length for people who move around. King pillows are long enough that two cover a king bed edge to edge. In the UK, the standard 50 x 75 cm pillow covers most beds, with a king size for wider ones.

Euro squares and European squares

The name causes some confusion. In North America, a Euro square is a large 26 inch square set upright against the headboard, mainly for looks or for sitting up in bed. In much of continental Europe, square pillows are the everyday sleeping pillow: 65 x 65 cm or 60 x 60 cm in France and French speaking Belgium, and the large 80 x 80 cm in Germany. Rectangles are increasingly common across Europe too.

Bolsters and the French traversin

A traversin is a long, round bolster that runs the full width of the bed. In some French homes it sits under the pillows to raise them, and some people use it on its own. Smaller decorative bolsters are used on beds and sofas. Because bolsters are firm and cylindrical, they suit people who like a rounded shape under the neck, but they are less common as the only sleeping pillow today.

Body pillows

A body pillow is a long pillow, roughly the length of the torso and legs, that you hug while lying on your side. Many side sleepers use one to rest the top arm and knee on, instead of a separate pillow between the knees. They take up space, so they suit larger beds or people who sleep alone. See what to look for in a pillow for side sleepers.

Travel pillows

Travel pillows come in two main forms: a U shaped neck pillow for sleeping upright, and a small rectangular pillow that packs easily for long journeys or unfamiliar beds. Some compress or roll up for packing.

Pillow fills: a quick overview

Feather and down blends and down alternative are both widespread in hotels. In our review of pillows at 42 hotels, each appeared at 49% of the hotels that stated a fill, and the most common blend was 75% feather to 25% down. For a deeper comparison, see down vs feather vs down alternative, and for cleaning each fill, see how to wash pillows.

How to choose a pillow type

1. Start with your pillowcases and bed. Buy a pillow that matches the cases you already have and the size system where you live.
2. Pick a sleeping pillow first. Standard or queen in North America, standard in the UK, and the local square or rectangle in continental Europe.
3. Add extras only if you will use them. A body pillow or bolster for support, Euro squares for reading or looks.
4. Choose the fill, firmness and number by how you sleep. See how many pillows to sleep with.