Queen sheets fit a 60 by 80 inch mattress and King sheets fit a 76 by 80 inch mattress. The two sizes share the same length, so the only difference is 16 inches of width. What decides whether a sheet set actually fits is the depth of the fitted sheet's pocket, and that is where most sizing problems start. Our eucalyptus TENCEL sheet set has 18 inch deep pockets with all-around elastic, and it holds on mattresses up to 20 inches deep in both Queen and King.
Queen vs King sheet dimensions
| Size | Mattress | Fitted sheet pocket | Fits mattresses up to | Pillowcases in the set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen 4PC | 60 x 80 inches | 18 inches | 20 inches deep | 2 Queen, for pillows up to 21 x 31 inches |
| King 4PC | 76 x 80 inches | 18 inches | 20 inches deep | 2 King, for pillows up to 21 x 38 inches |
Queen is the most common bed size in Canadian homes and the size most sheet sets are designed around. King gives two people about the same width each as a Twin bed, which is why couples who share a Queen often move up. Both sizes use the same 80 inch length, so a taller sleeper gains nothing from King except width.
What is in a 4-piece sheet set?
A 4PC set is one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases, all in the same size and colour. The fitted sheet goes on the mattress, the flat sheet lies between you and the duvet, and the pillowcases match. Sets that list fewer pieces usually leave out the flat sheet; sets that list more usually add pillowcases. Our set arrives folded in an embroidered tote, with a head tag on the fitted sheet so you can tell the short side from the long side without unfolding it twice.
How deep should a fitted sheet be?
Deeper than your mattress, by at least an inch or two. Measure from the top of the mattress to the bottom edge, and include any topper you sleep on. Most modern mattresses in Canada are 10 to 14 inches deep; pillow top and hybrid models run 14 to 18 inches; add a topper and you can pass 18.
A standard pocket of 12 to 14 inches will not stay on the deeper mattresses, which is why deep pocket sheets exist. Three things keep a deep pocket fitted sheet in place: the pocket depth itself, elastic that runs all the way around rather than only at the corners, and corner straps that hook under the mattress. Ours has all three, so an 18 inch pocket holds up to 20 inches of mattress and topper without lifting at the corners overnight.
Do King sheets fit a Queen bed?
Not well. A King fitted sheet is 16 inches wider than a Queen mattress, so the excess gathers under the mattress and the sheet never pulls smooth. A King flat sheet on a Queen bed is fine, since extra width only means more overhang. The reverse does not work at all: a Queen fitted sheet will not stretch over a King mattress.
If you have a California King (72 by 84 inches), a standard King fitted sheet is four inches too wide and four inches too short. It is a different size, not a variation of King.
How to measure your mattress for sheets
- Width: measure across the top of the mattress from edge to edge. 60 inches is Queen, 76 inches is King.
- Length: measure from the head to the foot. 80 inches is both Queen and King; 84 inches means California King.
- Depth: measure from the top surface to the bottom edge, with any topper in place. Choose a pocket at least an inch deeper than this number.
- If the width is 54 inches, you have a Double (also called Full), and Queen sheets will be too large.
Does the fabric change how sheets fit?
Yes, in two ways. First, shrinkage: cotton sheets can lose an inch or more on the first hot wash, which is enough to turn a fitted sheet that just fit into one that no longer does. Eucalyptus TENCEL washed cold and dried on low holds its size, as covered in does TENCEL shrink when washed. Second, drape: a fabric with more drape follows the mattress corners instead of tenting over them, so the same pocket depth fits more mattresses. TENCEL drapes closer than crisp cotton percale, which is part of why the corners stay tucked.
Fabric also decides how the sheets sleep. The Queen and King sets are the same eucalyptus TENCEL, naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, which is why they suit warm sleepers; the reasons are in best TENCEL sheets for hot sleepers.
Which size pillowcase goes with which set?
Pillows come in three common sizes: Standard (20 x 26 inches), Queen (20 x 30 inches) and King (20 x 36 inches). Queen sheet sets come with Queen pillowcases, which fit Standard and Queen pillows; King sets come with King pillowcases for King pillows. Most Queen beds hold two Standard or Queen pillows side by side, and most King beds hold two King pillows. If you sleep with more pillows than the set covers, the pillowcase pair adds two more in the same colour, with an envelope enclosure that keeps the pillow tucked in.
Choosing a colour and matching the duvet cover
All nine colours come in both Queen and King: Bright White, Pearled Ivory, Oat Milk, Cool Grey, Slate Grey, Sterling Blue, Crown Blue, Sea Green and Cocoa Fudge. A neutral sheet set under a coloured duvet cover is the easiest combination to keep looking made; the reverse, a coloured sheet under a Bright White duvet cover, shows the colour only at the turn-down and hides wear on the cover.
To buy both at once in matching sizes, the bedding bundle pairs a sheet set with a duvet cover set in Queen or King, in any two of the nine colours.
Frequently asked questions
What size sheets do I need for a Queen bed?
Queen sheets, for a 60 by 80 inch mattress. Check the depth as well as the width: if the mattress and topper together are deeper than 14 inches, choose a set with deep pockets.
Are Queen and Double sheets the same size?
No. A Double (Full) mattress is 54 by 75 inches, six inches narrower and five inches shorter than a Queen. Queen sheets on a Double bed will be loose; Double sheets on a Queen will not fit.
What are the dimensions of a King fitted sheet?
A King fitted sheet is made for a 76 by 80 inch mattress. The number that varies between brands is the pocket depth; ours is 18 inches and fits mattresses up to 20 inches deep.
How can I tell if a sheet set is good quality before buying?
Look past thread count, which is a cotton measure and says little about lyocell. Fibre, weight and finishing matter more, and the checks are laid out in how to tell if sheets are good quality.
How many sheet sets should I own per bed?
Two is the practical minimum: one on the bed and one in the wash. Sheets should be changed about weekly, and the reasons are in how often you should change your sheets.
Ready to choose a size? Browse eucalyptus TENCEL sheet sets in Queen and King.
