What this calculator does
Quilt patterns label sizes as "twin" or "queen", but there is no official standard for what those words mean on a quilt. One pattern's queen is 84 × 92 inches, another's is 90 × 108. What matters is your bed: the mattress size, how deep it is, and how you like the quilt to hang. This calculator starts from the mattress and adds the drop and tuck you choose, so the quilt fits your bed rather than a label.
How to use it
- Pick your mattress size. The standard US dimensions are shown.
- Measure the mattress depth and set the drop at least that deep.
- Add a pillow tuck if the quilt will fold over the pillows.
- Use the result as the finished size, then plan blocks and borders to reach it.
The math
quilt width = mattress width + 2 × drop
quilt length = mattress length + drop (foot) + pillow tuck
The drop goes on both sides but only the foot end; the head gets the pillow tuck instead. A queen mattress (60 × 80) with a 12 inch drop and 10 inch tuck needs a quilt 84 × 102 inches.
Size chart
| Mattress | Mattress | Coverlet (12″ drop) | Bedspread (15″ drop + 10″ tuck) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 28 × 52″ | 52 × 64″ | 58 × 77″ |
| Twin | 38 × 75″ | 62 × 87″ | 68 × 100″ |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80″ | 62 × 92″ | 68 × 105″ |
| Full / Double | 54 × 75″ | 78 × 87″ | 84 × 100″ |
| Queen | 60 × 80″ | 84 × 92″ | 90 × 105″ |
| King | 76 × 80″ | 100 × 92″ | 106 × 105″ |
| California King | 72 × 84″ | 96 × 96″ | 102 × 109″ |
Building to size. If your blocks don't divide evenly into the target size, get close with blocks and make up the rest with borders. The border calculator shows how wide.
Questions people ask
What is the drop on a quilt?
The drop is how far the quilt hangs down over the side of the mattress. A drop of about 12 inches covers the mattress on most beds. 15 to 20 inches reaches further down and hides the box spring or bed frame.
What is a pillow tuck?
Extra length at the head of the bed so the quilt can fold under and over the pillows. 10 to 12 inches is typical. Leave it at zero for a coverlet that stops at the pillows.
How deep are mattresses?
Most are 9 to 14 inches deep, and pillow-top mattresses can be 16 inches or more. Measure yours: a drop shorter than the mattress depth leaves the side showing.
Why is my finished quilt smaller than planned?
Dense quilting draws a quilt in, and cotton shrinks when washed. Together that can take off 2 to 5 percent. Add a few inches if the fit matters.