Whatever size your bed is, knowing a few key measurements makes choosing your bedding a whole lot easier. Our UK bedding size guide covers everything you need to know, from duvet and mattress dimensions to fitted-sheet depth, with plenty of practical advice to help you find the best fit for your bed.
UK bedding size chart
Here are the standard dimensions you’re most likely to come across when shopping for UK bedding.
| Bed size | Mattress size | Duvet/duvet cover size |
|---|---|---|
| Double | 135 x 190cm | 200 x 200cm |
| King | 150 x 200cm | 225 x 220cm |
| Super King | 180 x 200cm | 260 x 220cm |
| Emperor | 200 x 200cm* | 290 x 235cm* |
*Emperor dimensions can vary between manufacturers, so always measure your mattress and duvet before ordering bedding.
One of the easiest mistakes to make when buying bed linen is assuming that the mattress and duvet should have the same measurements. In fact, your duvet needs to be quite a lot wider than your mattress, so it drapes comfortably over both sides of the bed.
What size is a Double duvet in the UK?
A standard UK Double mattress measures 135 x 190cm (4ft 6in x 6ft 3in) and a standard Double duvet and duvet cover measure 200 x 200cm.
That extra width allows the duvet to hang over either side of the mattress rather than simply covering the sleeping surface.
When choosing a fitted sheet for a Double bed, look for one designed for the dimensions of your mattress, but don’t forget to check the depth too. This becomes especially important if you have a deep modern mattress or use a mattress topper.
What size is a King duvet?
A standard UK King mattress measures 150 x 200cm (5ft x 6ft 6in), while a King duvet and duvet cover measure 225 x 220cm.
As well as being wider than a Double, a King mattress is 10cm longer. So if you’ve recently moved from a Double to a King bed, you’ll need new fitted sheets as well as a larger duvet and duvet cover.
The extra length can make a big difference for taller people, while the wider duvet gives two people more room to sleep comfortably.
What size is a Super King duvet?
A UK Super King mattress measures 180 x 200cm (6ft x 6ft 6in), whereas a Super King duvet and duvet cover typically measure 260 x 220cm.
That generous width is really important on a 180cm-wide mattress, as a smaller duvet may technically cover the bed, but it won’t provide the same amount of overhang at the side.
So if you've chosen a Super King bed for the extra sleeping space, we’d definitely recommend choosing a corresponding Super King duvet, so you don't find yourself in a 'tug-of-war' with your other half during the night.
What size is an Emperor duvet?
Emperor is one of the largest bed sizes commonly available in the UK, with a mattress measuring approximately 200 x 200cm (6ft 6in x 6ft 6in), while Hampton and Astley Emperor duvet covers measure 290 x 235cm.
As it's a less common size than the others, Emperor bedding can vary from brand to brand, so it's a good idea to get out the tape measure out before ordering. Check the width and length of both your mattress and your existing duvet rather than just assuming that anything labelled Emperor will automatically fit.
A few minutes spent measuring can save the annoyance of finding that a fitted sheet pulls at the corners or a duvet doesn't fit perfectly within the cover.
How do I know what size bedding I need?
Start with the size of the bed itself. If you don’t know whether you have a Double, King or Super King bed, you can measure the width and length of your mattress and compare those measurements with the ones in the chart above.
Next, measure your duvet separately. Don’t use the dimensions of your mattress to choose a duvet cover because, as our chart shows, the two measurements are deliberately different.
For fitted sheets, you also need to measure the depth of your mattress, as this can vary a lot from one bed to another.
How to measure a mattress for a fitted sheet
To find a fitted sheet that properly fits your bed, you need to measure three things:
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Width – from one side of the mattress to the other.
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Length – from the head to the foot of the mattress.
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Depth – from the top surface of the mattress to its bottom edge.
If you've got a mattress topper beneath your fitted sheet, make sure to include that in your depth measurement too.
Your fitted sheet needs enough fabric to tuck securely underneath the mattress, so it doesn't ping off at the corners.
At Hampton and Astley, our extra-deep fitted sheets are designed to comfortably fit deep mattresses and stay secure at the corners.
Do I need a 32cm or 40cm fitted sheet?
The right depth for you depends entirely on the depth of your mattress (plus any mattress topper), as well as the bedding size you need. So make sure to measure, rather than simply choosing the deepest sheet available. You need enough fabric to tuck underneath it securely, while still achieving a smooth, neat fit.
Hampton and Astley offers 32cm deep fitted sheets in Double and King sizes, while our 40cm extra-deep fitted sheets offer additional room for deeper mattresses and are available across our Double, King, Super King and Emperor bedding.
If you get the size right, your fitted sheet should stay smoothly in place instead of creeping upwards or pinging off a corner during the night.
Should your duvet cover be the same size as your duvet?
Yes, as a general rule we recommend matching the dimensions of your duvet cover to your duvet. So, for example:
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a 200 x 200cm Double duvet needs a 200 x 200cm Double duvet cover
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a 225 x 220cm King duvet needs a 225 x 220cm King duvet cover
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a 260 x 220cm Super King duvet needs a 260 x 220cm Super King duvet cover.
If the cover is a lot bigger than the duvet, it will look too baggy and untidy, and the duvet will move around inside. On the other, if the cover is too small, the duvet will bunch up and lose its natural drape.
This is another good reason to check the measurements on an existing duvet before buying a new cover, particularly with older duvets or less-standard sizes.
Once you have the size right, the fabric you choose will also have a big effect how your bedding looks and feels. Our guide to what thread count is best for luxury bedding explains why the fibre quality and the weave matter just as much as the number on the label.
Can you put a King duvet on a Double bed?
Yes, you can. Some people deliberately choose a larger duvet because they like more coverage or want a fuller-looking bed.
Putting a King duvet on a Double bed will give you more overhang at the sides, which can be helpful for couples who regularly find themselves fighting over the duvet in the night.
However, if you have a low or compact bed, an oversized duvet might hang further down the sides than you want. It all depends on the dimensions of your bed and the look you want to achieve.
Can you put a Super King duvet on a King bed?
You can, and the same principle applies. A Super King duvet is 35cm wider than a King duvet, so using one on a King bed provides a lot more coverage.
It can work particularly well for two people who prefer plenty of their own duvet space. Just check how far you want the duvet to fall at either side of the mattress and bear in mind that the larger duvet needs a matching Super King cover.
How much should a duvet hang over the side of the bed?
There isn’t one perfect amount of overhang, because your mattress depth, bed-frame height and your own personal preference will all affect this.
As a starting point, centre the duvet on the mattress and look for an even fall on both sides. For a more luxurious, hotel-inspired finish, try to achieve a generous, well-balanced drape rather than a duvet that only just reaches the edge of the mattress.
Your type of bed frame also needs to be taken into consideration, as if you have an upholstered divan base, you may prefer more overhang than you would with a decorative wooden or metal frame that you want to keep visible.
For more ideas on creating that same luxurious finish throughout the room, see our guide to the best hotel-style bedroom ideas.
What size pillowcases do I need?
Standard UK pillowcases are designed for standard pillows, typically measuring around 50 x 75cm. Super King pillows are wider, so need larger pillowcases.
Bear in mind that the style of the pillowcase affects how big it is. A Housewife pillowcase fits closely around the pillow, while an Oxford pillowcase has an extra fabric border around the edge. So the internal pillow dimensions can be similar even though the overall dimensions of the pillowcases are different.
For larger beds, layering several pillows can help keep the proportions looking balanced. On a Super King or Emperor bed in particular, a single pair of standard pillows can look a little lost across the width of the mattress.
How to tell if your bedding is the wrong size
Sometimes the easiest way to identify a sizing problem is to look at how your bedding behaves.
Your fitted sheet may be too small or shallow if:
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the corners repeatedly come off the mattress
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the sheet feels excessively stretched
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the sides don’t tuck properly underneath the mattress.
It may be too large if:
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fabric continually gathers or wrinkles across the sleeping surface
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the elastic doesn’t hold the sheet securely in place.
Your duvet cover may be too large if:
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there is lots of empty fabric around the duvet
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the duvet moves around excessively inside it.
It may be too small if:
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the duvet bunches or folds inside the cover
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it won’t lie flat when the bed is made.
Getting these details right makes a big difference to how the bed looks and also how comfortable it feels. Beautiful bed linen will always look its best when it fits the bed properly.
Our advice for getting bedding size right first time
After years of helping customers choose luxury bedding, our best advice is to check the measurements rather than relying on the size name alone.
This is especially important if you have an Emperor bed, an unusually deep mattress or a mattress topper.
Measure your mattress width, length and depth. Check the label or measurements of your duvet. Then compare those figures with the individual product measurements before ordering.
Once you know your dimensions, choosing the right bed linen becomes much easier.
And once you’ve found bedding that fits beautifully, looking after it properly will help it stay that way. Read our guide to how to keep your bedding silky-soft for advice on washing, drying and caring for your bed linen.
Tried, tested and loved
At Hampton and Astley, we’ve been helping customers create luxurious, hotel-inspired bedrooms since 2017. Our Egyptian cotton bedding has been independently recognised by leading interiors and lifestyle publications including Good Housekeeping, The Telegraph, GLAMOUR, GQ, Ideal Home and the Evening Standard, as well as earning thousands of five-star customer reviews on Trustpilot.
Our 500 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding has also been Good Housekeeping Institute Approved, following independent testing for quality and performance.
Made from long-staple Egyptian cotton in a silky-smooth sateen weave, our bedding is available in sizes from Double to Emperor, with deep fitted-sheet options designed for a secure, comfortable fit.
Explore our luxury Egyptian cotton bedding collection to find the right size for your bed.
UK bedding size FAQs
Is a Double duvet 200 x 200cm?
Yes. A standard UK Double duvet measures 200 x 200cm and is designed for a Double bed measuring approximately 135 x 190cm.
What size duvet do I need for a King bed?
A standard UK King duvet measures 225 x 220cm and is designed to fit a King mattress measuring 150 x 200cm.
What size duvet do I need for a Super King bed?
A standard UK Super King duvet measures 260 x 220cm. A UK Super King mattress measures 180 x 200cm.
What size duvet do I need for an Emperor bed?
Hampton & Astley Emperor duvet covers measure 290 x 235cm and our Emperor fitted sheets measure 200 x 200cm with a 40cm depth. Emperor sizing can vary between manufacturers, so check the measurements of your duvet and mattress before buying.
Is a King duvet longer than a Double?
Yes. A standard UK Double duvet measures 200 x 200cm, while a King measures 225 x 220cm, making it both wider and longer.
Are Super King and Emperor bedding the same size?
No. An Emperor bed is larger than a Super King. A standard Super King mattress measures 180 x 200cm, compared with approximately 200 x 200cm for an Emperor. The corresponding duvet covers are also different sizes.
Does fitted-sheet depth matter?
Yes. A fitted sheet needs enough depth to cover the sides of your mattress and tuck securely underneath. Deep mattresses and mattresses with toppers may require a deeper fitted sheet. Always measure the total depth before choosing your sheet.
