Simple Quilt Size Guidelines and a Printable Chart

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Quilts come in all shapes and sizes, but what size should a quilt really be? Well, the answer will change depending on who you ask.

If you’re following a quilt pattern the guesswork is done for you, but if you’re a DIY-er like myself then you’ll need to do a bit of math to figure out exactly what size quilt you should make.

Here’s a quick glance at general quilt size suggestions:

In today’s post, I’ll share some recommended quilt size suggestions and let you know what to keep in mind when you’re creating each size of quilt.

Plus I made a free pdf download for you to keep as a reference so you can stop googling “What size is a twin size quilt?” every time the holidays roll around!

What Size Quilt Should I Make?

The size of your quilt will depend on its purpose. If you’re making a quilt for a bed, then the size will be more important than if you’re making a quilt for snuggling on the couch.

A good place to start with bed quilts is the mattress size. Then add several inches to either side and the bottom of the quilt so it can drape off the bed. You can get an exact measurement by measuring your bed, or by using standard mattress sizes as rough guidelines.

Remember that the thicker your mattress is, the bigger the quilt will need to be to get that beautiful drape. You can read my blog post if you want to learn how to make a quilt top bigger!

Throw size quilts have way more flexibility and can be any size you want! If the quilt is meant to be cuddled with, I suggest keeping the height of the quilt recipient in mind. Nothing is worse than trying to get comfy with a quilt that is too small!

How Big is a Baby Quilt?

A nice size baby quilt is 30″ x 40″ however, there is no standard baby quilt size. A 30″ x 40″ quilt is a great size for tummy time or a stroller.

When making a baby quilt it’s important to keep in mind the life of the quilt. Do you want this quilt to strictly be for the infant stage, or do you want it to be something the child can keep using as they grow? If you want this quilt to be functional for years to come, consider upgrading to a crib or throw size.

Looking for a quick baby quilt pattern? Check out my free baby quilt pattern, Charming Sawtooth. You can make it with just one charm pack and one yard of fabric, so it’s the perfect last-minute baby shower gift!

What Size is a Crib Quilt?

A crib quilt is 36″ x 52″. Crib mattresses are 27.5″ x 52″ so this size quilt will allow overhang on either side of the mattress.

While brand new babies won’t be using crib quilts, toddlers often continue sleeping on their crib mattresses until they upgrade to a “big kid” bed.

The larger size of the crib quilt vs the baby quilt allows for the child to continue using it as they grow. It’s also a manageable size for the child to carry with them and use as a small throw.

How Big is a Throw Size Quilt?

Perhaps the most variable of all quilt sizes, the throw size quilt is kind of a catch-all term for every quilt that isn’t mattress sized. A nice throw size quilt is 50″ x 65″, but any width and length between 50″ – 70″ can be considered throw size.

Throws are typically associated with casual use around the house. Maybe it’ll live thrown over a recliner or folded on a quilt ladder by the couch. Because these quilts aren’t associated with a mattress size, it’s very important to think about how you intend it to be used and the size of the person that will be using it. If it’s for your 6-foot-tall brother-in-law, make sure the length is at least 72″.

How Big is a Twin Size Quilt?

A twin size quilt is 70″ x 90″. This size allows for overhang so you’ll get that nice draped look off the sides of the bed. This quilt size works nicely for an XL Twin mattress too, just in case you’re making a quilt for a loved one that’s heading off to college.

The extra length that a twin sized quilt needs doesn’t lend well to symmetry, so you won’t find many quilt patterns with a twin size option. Instead, you may need to add quilt borders or an extra row of blocks to get your desired length and width.

How Big is a Full Size Quilt?

A full or double size quilt is 80″ x 108″. This size correlates to a full/double mattress size and allows for the quilt to hang over the sides of the mattress.

When making a quilt for a mattress, you’ll want to think about how the quilt will look when it is on the bed. The edges of the quilt will hang off the bed and be the first thing you see when you walk into the room. You may want the pattern of the quilt to extend over the edge of the bed, or you may want the quilt top to be the size of the mattress and the “drop” to be a background color or border pattern.

There are a lot of different options and it all depends on the style you want!

What Size is a Queen Quilt?

A queen size quilt is 90″ x 108″. This generously sized quilt will allow for overhang. If you want a quilt without overhang, a 60″ x 80″ quilt will fit perfectly on a queen size bed.

Technically, anything between these two quilt sizes will work for a queen size bed, but you can customize the size depending on the look you want for your quilt.

Extra quilt blocks and fun borders can help you make a quilt longer or wider if your quilt pattern doesn’t accommodate this size of quilt.

How Big is a King Size Quilt?

A king size quilt is 110″ x 108″ and will overhang the size of the bed. If you do not want the quilt to hang over the side of the bed, a 76″ x 80″ quilt will cover the mattress perfectly.

Any size quilt in between will fit nicely on a king size bed. You can adjust the measurements depending on how much overhang you want draping over the side of the bed.

Quilt sizes vary but as you can see, the final size isn’t quite as important as we may think. Standard quilt sizes don’t really exist, but these guidelines can be a helpful starting point in deciding what size quilt to make. Remember to download the free quilt size pdf and in the end, a snuggly handmade quilt is the most important part!

Check out these other posts you may like:
How to Piece Quilt Backing
10 Creative Quilt Backing Ideas
30 Free Layer Cake Quilt Patterns
10 Ways to Quilt a Baby Quilt