135 x 200 or perhaps 155 x 220? And why doesn’t the new bed linen from the furniture shop fit the old pillow? At first glance, bed linen sizes appear to be standardised, but they are only standardised within a country’s own borders. Germany, France, Switzerland and furniture retailers such as IKEA use different measurements for duvet covers and pillowcases. This guide sets out the common German standard sizes, the most important European non-standard sizes, and the appropriate sizes for children’s and baby bed linen – complete with a table for quick reference.
German standard sizes: What ‘normal’ actually means
In Germany, one size has been the norm for decades: 135 x 200 cm for the duvet cover, combined with an 80 x 80 cm pillowcase. This size can be found in almost every specialist shop and is what is meant when people talk about ‘standard size’. For double beds where each person uses their own duvet, 155 x 220 cm is the common choice – two duvet covers of this width lie side by side without the duvets shifting during the night. Those with a box spring bed or a very wide bed often opt for 200 x 200 cm, a square version without a centre seam, under which both sleepers share a single duvet. For pillowcases, there is also the narrow 40 x 80 cm size, which many use to complement the larger 80 x 80 cm pillow.
A comparison of bed linen sizes
The following table summarises the most common dimensions for duvet covers and pillowcases, organised by country or intended use.
Non-standard sizes from France, Switzerland and Austria
Not every country uses the same centimetre measurements. In France and Belgium, duvet covers are often available in 140 x 200 cm, with matching pillowcases in 65 x 65 cm – a square size that is rarely sold in Germany. Switzerland uses 160 x 210 cm for duvet covers, also with 65 x 65 cm pillowcases. Austria largely follows the German standard, with 140 x 200 cm being the most common size. This becomes particularly relevant if you’re buying bed linen abroad, ordering it online from another country, or wanting to combine heirlooms and souvenirs with existing pillows – a difference of just a few centimetres is enough for a duvet cover to be too tight or too loose.
Bed linen for children and babies
Children’s bed linen follows its own standard size: 100 x 135 cm for the duvet cover, plus a small pillowcase measuring 40 x 60 cm. This size is designed to fit junior beds and cots with matching mattress sizes and can be found in practically every specialist shop in Germany. For cots, 80 x 80 cm is often available, frequently without a separate pillowcase. Paediatricians and safety guidelines advise against placing a pillow or loose bed linen in the cot of infants under one year of age anyway, to reduce the risk of suffocation – a point that is more important than the exact measurements when choosing baby bed linen.
Why IKEA bed linen often doesn’t fit the usual pattern
Anyone searching for ‘IKEA bed linen sizes’ usually comes across the same problem: the new bed linen doesn’t fit the old duvet. IKEA uses its own measurements for its range, which differ from the German standard. The standard sizes there are 150 x 200 cm instead of 135 x 200 cm, as well as 200 x 200 cm for larger beds. Pillowcases, at 50 x 60 cm or 50 x 80 cm, are also smaller than the German sizes of 80 x 80 cm and 40 x 80 cm. Anyone combining cushions or duvets from different countries should therefore measure the actual dimensions of their existing cushion or duvet before buying, rather than relying on the term ‘standard’.
What to look out for when buying
A duvet cover should be slightly larger than the duvet it covers, so that the filling can redistribute itself when shaken and the cover does not become taut. The fastening also plays a role: zips are the most reliable way of keeping the duvet in place, whilst ties or envelope fastenings are quicker to change but can come undone with frequent washing. The fabric also affects the fit – jersey is more elastic and is more forgiving of minor size discrepancies than tightly woven percale or satin, where the stated measurements are adhered to more precisely.
A comparison of bed linen sizes
| Name | Duvet cover (cm) | Pillowcase (cm) | Common usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| German standard (single bed) | 135 x 200 | 80 x 80 | Germany, most common |
| German standard (separate duvets) | 155 x 220 | 80 x 80 | Germany, double beds with two duvets |
| Box spring / wide format | 200 x 200 | 80 x 80 (2 pieces) | Box spring beds, wide double beds |
| French size | 140 x 200 | 65 x 65 | France, Belgium |
| Swiss size | 160 x 210 | 65 x 65 | Switzerland |
| Austrian standard | 140 x 200 | 80 x 80 | Austria |
| Children’s size | 100 x 135 | 40 x 60 | Children’s beds |
| Baby size | 80 x 80 | Usually without pillows | Cots, co-sleeper cots |
| IKEA (standard) | 150 x 200 / 200 x 200 | 50 x 60 / 50 x 80 | Furniture store’s own dimensions, deviates from the German standard |
Why Maison de Cocon
- Our bed linen range covers the standard German sizes 135 x 200 cm and 155 x 220 cm, as well as the generous 200 x 200 cm version for box spring beds.
- Pillowcases are available in the standard German sizes 80 x 80 cm and 40 x 80 cm, to fit most pillows sold in Germany.
- Each item is labelled with its exact dimensions in centimetres, so you can check it against your existing duvet or pillow before purchasing.
- If you have any questions about the right size for box-spring or custom beds, our customer service team will be happy to answer any queries regarding specific measurements before you buy.
Bed linen · How to find the right quality of bed linen for your sleeping style
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