In short
The direct answer
Bed size names are not dimensions. A "queen" in North America, Australia and the UK are three different mattresses, and hotel mattresses with toppers commonly run 30–45 cm deep where a domestic fitted sheet assumes 25 cm. Every sizing error we see in international linen orders comes from trusting a name instead of a tape measure. This guide gives the measurements to take and the allowances to add.
Key takeaways
What a buyer should retain
- Use measured centimeters or millimeters; regional bed names are not production dimensions.
- Measure the installed mattress with topper and protector in place.
- Measure inserts separately from covers and state the intended fit and opening construction.
- Record whether acceptance dimensions apply before or after an agreed care process.
Decision framework
Questions this guide helps the buying team resolve
Measure the mattress in three dimensions
Width, length and depth — and measure depth with the mattress topper and protector in place, because that is what the sheet has to clear. Measure an installed mattress rather than reading the supplier's catalogue; compression and manufacturing tolerance mean the real figure often differs by 1–3 cm.
Fitted sheets: pocket depth is the specification
A fitted sheet needs the mattress depth plus enough tuck to hold under the mattress, typically 5–8 cm beyond depth, plus elastic. State the pocket depth you need explicitly. A pocket cut for 25 cm will not stay on a 40 cm hotel build-up, and this is the single most common re-order cause in the category.
Flat sheets and duvet covers: allowance over the mattress
A flat sheet needs the mattress width plus tuck on both sides plus the fold-back at the head — commonly 60–90 cm total added to width for a proper hotel tuck. A duvet cover is cut to the insert, not the bed: measure the insert and allow only a small ease, because an oversized cover looks slack and an undersized one compresses the fill.
Pillowcases: insert size plus ease and closure
Measure the pillow flat and add ease so the case is not straining, then add the closure style: envelope flap, Oxford flange or housewife. Flange width is part of the finished dimension and must be stated separately, or the case will be measured differently by supplier and buyer.
Tablecloths: tabletop plus twice the drop
Round: finished diameter = tabletop diameter + (2 × drop). Rectangular: add twice the drop to each dimension. Measure the table height at the venue to establish what floor-length actually means — banquet rounds are commonly 74–76 cm high, but stands vary.
State the unit system and tolerance
Write dimensions in centimeters with the inch equivalent in brackets, and state the accepted tolerance — typically ±1–2% on finished textile dimensions after washing. Textiles are not machined parts; a specification without a tolerance invites a dispute over a difference nobody can control.
Measurement formulas for the RFQ
| Item | Measure | Specification logic |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sheet | Mattress width, length and depth | Finished width must cover the mattress plus the intended tuck on both sides |
| Fitted sheet | Mattress width, length and full build-up depth | Pocket depth must clear the build-up and retain sufficient under-mattress engagement |
| Duvet cover | Actual insert width and length | State finished cover size, opening position, closure and desired ease |
| Pillowcase | Filled pillow width and length | State finished case size, overlap and any flange separately |
| Round tablecloth | Tabletop diameter and required drop | Finished diameter = tabletop diameter + twice the drop |
Evidence: B3 · BOREDON
Confirmed BOREDON size examples
| Product | Published examples | Important qualifier |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel flat sheet | 210 × 280 to 320 × 280 cm | Confirm finished size and tuck method |
| Hotel fitted sheet | Widths 90–200 × 200 cm; pockets 20–40 cm | Confirm the installed mattress build-up |
| Hotel duvet insert | 150 × 200 to 220 × 240 cm | Specify shell, fill and fill weight |
| Round tablecloth | 220–300 cm diameter | Confirm tabletop diameter and drop |
Examples are not universal market standards; custom dimensions remain subject to technical review.
Evidence: B3 · BOREDON
01
Measure the installed bed in millimeters or centimeters
Do not send only a regional bed name such as twin, queen or king. Measure mattress width, length and depth on the installed bed, including any topper or permanent comfort layer. Record the measurement method and unit once, then use it consistently across the room matrix. For adjustable or non-standard beds, measure representative rooms rather than relying on architectural schedules.
Also record how housekeeping makes the bed. A flat sheet that must tuck under three sides needs a different allowance from one used as a light top layer. A fitted sheet pocket must clear the full mattress build-up and retain enough elastic engagement for repeated handling. These operating details affect the finished size as much as the mattress dimensions do.
Supporting evidence: B3 · Published Product Specifications
02
Measure inserts separately from their covers
Duvet covers should be specified against the actual finished duvet insert, not the mattress name. Measure insert width and length while it is laid flat without stretching, then confirm the desired fit, opening position and closure. A cover that is too large allows the insert to migrate; one that is too small compresses loft and strains seams.
Measure pillows across the filled product and confirm whether the pillowcase has a plain opening, envelope overlap or decorative flange. State the finished pillowcase dimensions and construction separately. A pillow described only as standard or hotel size cannot be reproduced reliably across markets.
Supporting evidence: B3 · Published Product Specifications
03
Define table linen from the tabletop and required drop
For square and rectangular tables, record tabletop length and width. For round tables, record diameter. Then state the finished drop required on each side. A formal banquet setup may use a floor-length drop, while an operational restaurant may prefer a shorter drop that reduces handling and laundry weight.
Do not assume a table described as six-person has one standard dimension. If tables are frequently combined, list each operating configuration. For fitted or shaped covers, provide edge depth, corner radius and any access, opening or fastening requirement, preferably supported by a dimensioned drawing or physical reference.
Supporting evidence: B3 · Published Product Specifications
04
Separate production size, finished size and wash-state acceptance
The RFQ should say whether dimensions are stated before laundering or after an agreed care process. Fiber composition, weave, finishing and laundry conditions can change dimensions, so the factory must know which state the buyer will inspect. State the permitted tolerance and measurement method for each product family rather than applying one tolerance to every item.
Where shrinkage allowance is built into production, record that decision on the technical sheet and approved sample. Procurement, factory and receiving inspection must use the same reference state. This is more reliable than adding an unexplained percentage to a nominal bed size.
Supporting evidence: B3 · Published Product Specifications · B5 · Quality Control Process
05
Send a size matrix the factory can quote without assumptions
Use one row per product and finished size. Include room or bed type, measured base dimensions, required finished dimensions, construction, quantity, unit, tolerance and any related product that must fit it. For example, connect each duvet cover line to the corresponding insert and each fitted sheet line to the mattress depth it must clear.
Before bulk production, check the sample on the installed bed or table and record the result. If the property contains several mattress suppliers or renovation phases, sample each materially different group. A short on-site fit check costs less than correcting an entire shipment of technically well-made products that do not fit the installed assets.
Evidence and sources
References used in this guide
BOREDON figures are linked to the corresponding factory, product or testing page. External standards link to the issuing organization. Order-specific performance remains subject to the released specification, approved sample and applicable test method.
- B3Published Product SpecificationsBOREDON
Confirmed sizes, materials, MOQ and lead-time ranges from the C1 product database.
- B5Quality Control ProcessBOREDON
Specification release, in-process inspection, final inspection and packing controls.
Buyer FAQ
Questions buyers ask about this topic
Why do our fitted sheets keep coming off the beds?
Almost always insufficient pocket depth. Measure the mattress with topper and protector installed, add 5–8 cm of tuck, and specify that figure as the required pocket depth rather than relying on a size name.
Is a UK king the same as a US king?
No. A UK king is approximately 150 × 200 cm; a US king is approximately 193 × 203 cm — closer to a UK super king. This mismatch is a frequent cause of unusable international orders.
What size tablecloth for a 180 cm banquet round?
For a floor-length drop of approximately 75 cm, finished diameter is approximately 330 cm. For a lap-length drop of approximately 38 cm, approximately 256 cm.
Can BOREDON make any custom size?
Custom finished dimensions are standard work; the practical limits are fabric width and cutting feasibility. Send measured dimensions and the technical team will confirm what is producible before sampling.
When was this guide last reviewed?
Reviewed 4 August 2026. Sizes shown are common market references and must be verified against the beds and tables actually installed.