Blanket Sizes and Dimensions Guide: Bed & Home

There’s more than just throw blankets and comforters to go on your mattress—blankets can be as small as a hand towel or big enough to cover an entire king bed. Not only are blankets warm and cozy, but they can complete the look of a room.

Lots of blankets are also made for infants and toddlers in different stages of development. From infants in the NICU to toddlers graduating to their first big-kid bed, you can find a blanket to fit their needs.

Blanket sizes are not standardized like mattress sizes, but they still usually fall into a set range of measurements. Our guide goes over the countless types of blankets you can find and their approximate sizes.

Specialty Blanket Sizes

Many of these blanket sizes are designed for infants or use around the home.

Lovey Blanket Size

Loveys are 12 by 12-inch security blankets for infants and toddlers. A security blanket is a comforting object for a child to
bond with and use
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National Library of Medicine (NIH)
World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.
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for psychological support in unfamiliar situations. Loveys are usually a blanket with a stuffed animal or toy attached to it for babies to cuddle up with.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Verified Source American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Professional society for pediatricians that aims to improve children’s health everywhere. View source recommends waiting until your child is at least one year old before letting them sleep with a lovey.

Baby Blanket Size

Baby blankets measure 14 by 16 inches. They’re usually crocheted by hand as a keepsake or security blanket for toddlers and infants. As we mentioned above,
the AAP recommends
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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Professional society for pediatricians that aims to improve children’s health everywhere.
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keeping blankets, along with pillows, stuffed toys, and bumper pads, out of your baby’s bed until they are at least a year old. These items can restrict a baby’s airflow as they sleep and roll about their bed.

Cradle Blanket Size

Cradle blankets are 14 by 30 inches and are for infants while they’re in their cradle.

As a side note, a cradle is smaller than a full-size crib and is usually designed to rock back and forth. The gently swinging motion can help a baby relax and fall asleep. See below for the dimensions of a crib-size blanket.

Premie Blanket Size

A premie blanket, sometimes spelled as a preemie blanket, is 18 by 24 inches. The blankets are for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) babies, as the name suggests. Premie blankets are small enough to swaddle premature babies until they’re old enough to leave the NICU. However, some hospitals may still use larger blankets that cover the entire bassinet, rather than simply cover the infant.

Stroller Blanket Size

The stroller blanket measures roughly 22-30 by 30-36 inches. The blanket fits over a baby when they’re in their stroller or sitting on a car seat, similar to a throw blanket or lapghan for adults.

However, because babies’ bodies are delicate, it’s important to make sure they’re not so covered up in a stroller that they’re at risk of overheating. This is why you also don’t want to use a larger blanket to cover the top of your stroller or pram.

Lapghan Blanket Size

A lapghan is a crocheted blanket and measures 36 by 48 inches. The lapghan is also known as a lap-size Afghan, wheelchair blanket, and hospice lap blanket.

As their various names suggest, lots of hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living homes take handmade lapghan donations for their patients to use, primarily if they are bedridden or wheelchair-bound.

Receiving Blanket Size

Receiving blankets are mainly used for infants and measure 40 by 40 inches. They’re often thin, soft blankets and typically sold in packs, so parents can easily switch them out without immediately washing them.

They’re smaller than the typical swaddling blanket. However, they are still big enough for swaddling and also work as a burp cloth, tummy time blanket, and a changing mat.

Crib Blanket Size

Crib blankets measure 45 by 60 inches and fit in most cribs and toddler beds. As one last reminder, though, remember that the AAP recommends keeping all soft bedding, including blankets, out of your baby’s sleeping space until they are a year old.

Crib blankets are also big enough to work for swaddling your infant or as a changing station cover if you’re ever in a pinch.

Throw Blanket Size

Throw blankets are decorative blankets measuring 50 by 60 inches. You can drape them over your sofa or the edge of your bed for a pop of flair. Or you could place them over your lap when watching a movie or reading book.

However, throw blankets aren’t big enough to cover your entire body during sleep. Still, on a cold night, you could use one as an extra layer of insulation, along with a regular-sized bed blanket.

Afghan Blanket Size

Afghan blankets can vary in size, though they’re most commonly about 50 by 65 inches. Afghan blankets are named after their place of origin, Afghanistan, where natives crochet vibrant and decorative blankets and rugs out of karakul wool. Afghan blankets aren’t only beautiful, but they also make for cozy blankets and unique throws.

Blankets for Standard Size Mattresses

Many blankets are designed to specifically hang over one of the standard mattress sizes. The exact size of the blanket may vary, although they are usually at least a few inches wider and longer than the matching bed size.

Twin Blanket Size

Twin blankets measure 65 by 90 inches. The blankets are long enough to fit easily on both twin beds and twin XL mattresses.

Due to their small size, twin blankets are meant for single sleepers only. While they can be used on a larger mattress, they will not sufficiently cover two people at night.

Double Blanket Size

Double blankets are 85 by 90 inches and, just as their title suggests, they work on full (double) mattresses. You can use them on a queen mattress, too, if you don’t mind a shorter-than-average drape over the sides of the mattress. Some blankets are even marketed as full/queen size blankets.

We do not recommend using a double blanket with a twin if you can afford it, as the extra width of the double blanket means that a good part of the blanket will be left to puddle on the floor.

Queen Blanket Size

Queen blankets measure 90 by 90-100 inches. They fit best on a queen mattress. However, you can get away with using queen blankets on a thick or tall full bed or a thin or short king bed if needed.

Some blankets are also marketed as suitable for both full and queen size mattresses. After all, queen beds are only slightly longer and wider than full mattresses.

King Blanket Size

King size blankets are the biggest sizes, measuring 108 by 90-100 inches. They fit a standard king and California (Western) king size bed best. You can also use it with a split king mattress for a more uniform look.

If dressing a California king mattress, look for a king size blanket on the longer end because California kings are four inches longer than your standard king bed.

Consider the Amerisleep Allseasons Blanket

Why buy separate blankets for summer and winter use when you can choose a durable throw that’s suitable year-round? That was our thought process behind the Amerisleep Allseasons Blanket, which has a “warm” side and a “cool” side.

Our Allseasons Blanket is a multipurpose throw. You can curl up with it on your bed or while sitting on the couch. You can also take it with you when you travel by slipping it into the included tote bag.

The Allseasons Blanket is currently priced at $199. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, you might want to consider our Allseasons bundle that comes with your choice of a AS5 memory foam or hybrid mattress. This bundle allows you to save up to $1459.

Our AS5 models are some of our top recommendations when it comes to a soft mattress. As a reminder, every one of our mattresses includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Considering Your Mattress for the Right Blanket

Mattress thickness can affect what the right blanket is if you care about how the blanket drapes over the sides. Some prefer a blanket that mimics the look of a bed skirt, falling gently past the mattress. Naturally, you need a bigger blanket to achieve this effect, but you also need to account for how thick your mattress is.

Not all sleepers care about this, though, and may be perfectly happy with a blanket size that keeps them covered and feeling snug at night.

More Mattress and Bedding Sizes Guides

• RV Mattress Sizes and Types
• Mattress Sizes and Dimensions in Canada
• Bunk Bed Mattress Size Guide
• Bed Sheet Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Bed Frame Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Mattress Protector Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Adjustable Bed Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Murphy Bed Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Bed Pillow Sizes Guide
• Headboard Sizes Chart and Dimensions Guide
• Pillowcase Sizes and Dimensions
• Mattress Foundation Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Duvet Sizes and Dimensions Guide
• Comforter Sizes and Bedding Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best type of blanket to sleep with?

Choose a blanket size to match your mattress so you’re fully covered at night and don’t need to worry about getting cold.

Regarding a blanket’s materials, this depends on what you want from your blanket. The most common types of blankets are cotton, wool, vellux, down, fleece, synthetic, and electric. Here’s a quick rundown of each:

• Cotton: Cotton is soft, durable, and machine-washable. It comes in a variety of quality levels and feels, so you can choose between heavy and warm or lightweight and cool cotton.
• Wool: Wool is a very cozy and heavy material great for winter months. Since wool comes from sheep, this material isn’t an option for vegan and plant-based shoppers.
• Vellux: Vellux, also known as hotel blankets, contain a thin layer of foam wrapped in a soft nylon casing. The blanket is so popular in hotels because it’s hypoallergenic and can withstand countless washes.
• Down: Down is a blanket fill used in duvets and comforters. It’s luxuriously soft and fluffy. Not only that, but the fill is durable and can last for years. However, down isn’t a good choice for people with allergies since down is bird feathers. Allergy sufferers looking for the softness of down should opt for a synthetic down alternative.
• Synthetic: Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and acrylic, are inexpensive and easy to care for. The fabrics are soft but tend to be staticky and wear down quickly compared to natural fabrics.
• Fleece: Fleece is a fabric similar to wool. However, despite being named after sheep, fleece is entirely man-made. It’s warm and moisture-resistant and also inexpensive compared to wool.
• Electric blankets: Electric blankets aren’t a blanket material, but a technology within some blankets. They contain insulated wires or some other heated elements with a synthetic cover to keep you warm. For safety reasons, keep electric blankets away from children and don’t layer them with other blankets.

Can you put big blankets in a washing machine?

Most blankets weighing up to 20 pounds fit in a standard-size washing machine. If you don’t know the exact weight of your blanket, go off your washing machine’s size—washing machines that can hold 3.7 cubic feet or more can fit up to a king-size comforter when washed alone.

If your large blankets don’t fit in a washing machine, or if they’re made from delicate materials such as wool, hand wash them in a bathtub with a mild detergent.

What is a San Marcos blanket?

San Marcos blankets are warm blankets from Mexico and considered a part of Latino culture. The blankets are heavy and cut from thick layers of acrylic. San Marcos blankets vary in size, from 60-85 by 80-95 inches. The blankets have large, printed designs, typically of animals, flowers, and rainforests.

What’s the difference between a comforter and a blanket?

All comforters are blankets, but not all blankets are comforters. All blankets are made with at least a single layer of fabric and don’t always have filling. Comforters and duvets are thick blankets made with two layers of fabric and then have a fill for added insulation. The fill for comforters and duvets are usually cotton, down, or down alternative.

Most people prefer a comforter or duvet as the main blanket for their bed and might use a standard, single-layer blanket as a throw on top.

How many blankets should you sleep with?

One blanket is enough for most people to sleep with. You might prefer to use a second blanket if it’s cold at night. Also, if you enjoy the feel of weighted blankets, layering two blankets is a DIY option for weight and security.

Ready to Choose the Right Blanket Size?

Blanket dimensions are useful to know when dressing your mattress or buying blankets for your baby. Also, if you want to take up knitting or crocheting, knowing the exact dimensions of your making helps you figure out exactly how much yarn to purchase for your project.

A good rule of thumb when getting blankets for your mattress is to simply get the blanket size correlating to your mattress size. However, you can always size up or down depending on your mattress’s thickness.

About the author

Geoff McKinnen is a writer focusing mainly on the healthcare industry and has written articles on everything from foods to help you lose weight to the connection between Alzheimer’s and sleep. Geoff’s passionate about helping readers improve their well-being to lead happier lives. Outside of work, Geoff enjoys cycling and hiking and believes that by leading a healthy lifestyle, he can help others do the same.

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