Download our printable quilt size chart with the dimensions for all the standard quilt sizes. Save for all your future quilt size dilemmas.
Want to hear a little secret? The truth is, there are no standard quilt sizes. Or at least not universally acknowledged standard quilt sizes. Quilts have been created in different sizes, shapes and forms for centuries and there is no right or wrong here.
I have yet to meet the quilt police (and judging by the number of quilting missteps in my quilting career, I should have met them by now). So whether you’re making your first quilt or you’re an experienced quilter, make any size of a quilt your heart desires. If it’s the size of the quilt pattern you want and need, then that’s what you should make.
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Printable Quilt Sizes Chart
Of course, sometimes you like to have a reference point. You want to fit in with the cool kids (that’s all of us quilters) and make a throw-size quilt that is ‘actually’ throw size.
Or maybe you’ve made the most beautiful blocks and you want to figure our how many blocks you need for a specific quilt size.
I get that. And that’s why I am sharing the ultimate printable quilt size chart.
I know I just said there are no standard quilt sizes, so calling our printable quilt size chart the ultimate might sound presumptuous. But I promise you, we did everything we could to make sure this quilt size chart covers all the dimensions a quilter would ever need.
Before I go into the details of each and every quilt size on the list, here it is – the ultimate – yes, I am going with this – printable quilt size chart.
All you need to do to get the free printable is sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send it straight in your inbox!
Standard Quilt Sizes
As you can see in the quilt size chart above, not one single ‘standard’ size is a fixed number. Instead, there’s a bit of a range with all of these standard sizes. Why? Again, because no size is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. And if you think about it, how could it be?
There are so many different quilt top designs out there and each of them uses a number of different blocks. To create the desired visual effect, write instructions for different sizes (and hopefully, make the best use of fabric) designers must adjust the finished quilt top dimensions for each given pattern. That’s why even when looking at patterns from one designer, you’ll see that a throw-size quilt for one pattern might be a bit bigger than a throw-size quilt for another pattern.
The printable quilt size chart is a great overview of all the different sizes you might find in patterns or when planning your next project.
If you’re designing a quilt top on your own, make sure you keep in mind not only how many quilt blocks you need (if using blocks), but also if you’re going to add sashing and/or borders. You’ll need to figure out sashing and calculate borders to get the required quilt size in the end. So just keep all of this in mind.
Now, let’s take a closer look at different standard quilt sizes and their dimensions. We’ll go from the smallest to the largest.
Baby Quilt Size
When talking about quilt sizes there’s probably no other size with more varieties than a baby quilt size. So if you’re wondering what size is a baby quilt, the answer is – it depends. Mostly on how you plan the quilt to be used. (But also on whether you can get it made in time for the baby shower.)
So while there is no one right size of baby quilt, these two options are the most common.
Safety note: Experts recommend bare cribs without any quilts or blankets to ensure infant safety. Babies should only sleep with quilts under adult supervision!
UPDATE: Because of the large variety in baby quilt sizes we have written a post dedicated to just baby and child quilt sizes. There’s also a handy baby quilt size chart included!
30×30’’ Baby Quilt Size
This size of baby quilt makes a pretty small square quilt, but that is exactly what makes it perfect for a newborn baby. Even more so if it’s a preemie, as sometimes those tiny little babies almost get lost in larger baby quilts.
With my babies, I also found this is a perfect size as an on-the-go blanket. We’d take these little blankets with us whenever we were out and about with the stroller or used them for car rides in the infant car seat.
30×40’’ Baby Quilt Size
If you prefer a rectangular shape and also want the baby quilt you’re making to last a bit longer, go with an 30×40’’ baby quilt. This is still on the smaller side, so it will take less time for you to make. But the extra ten inches really make this size quilt usable for quite a bit longer.
Of course, you can go even bigger, if you like. I would say anything up to about 45’’ in length would be considered a baby quilt.
Another great thing about these baby quilt sizes is that they are so small you don’t have to piece the backing. This makes it an even quicker project and who doesn’t like those?
Crib Quilt Size
The crib quilt size is sometimes also referred to as a large baby quilt size. The standard size of crib quilt is 36″ x 52″, which makes it fit nicely onto a crib mattress (which is about 28’’ x 52’’). However, anything with a width of 28’’–36’’ and length of 48’’–52’’ would also be considered a crib size quilt.
This is small enough to be made with one single piece of backing fabric. So piecing the backing can still be avoided.
Of course, depending on how you want the quilt to fit the mattress, you can also adjust the dimensions a bit. For example, I usually like my crib size quilts to be a bit shorter and wider, about 40’’ x 48’’ (depending on the pattern). This way I can tuck the quilt under the mattress nicely on the sides and at the bottom, but leave some room at the top.
Lap Quilt Size
As the name suggests, a lap quilt is a quilt that is used to cover a person’s lap and legs. It’s something I know many elderly like to use, just like my grandma. So while I’ve found many sites that say that the size of lap quilt is the same as a throw quilt size, there is in fact a difference.
Standard lap size quilt dimensions are: width of 40’’–60’’ and length of 40’’–60’’. This makes it almost fall into the same category as a crib size quilt, with just a few extra inches on the sides of the quilt.
If you’re making a lap size quilt to be used on a wheelchair, I would recommend choosing a smaller lap quilt dimension (or even going as small as a crib size quilt). This will prevent the lap quilt to drag on the floor or get caught in the wheels.
Throw Quilt Size
The throw quilt size is very popular among quilt makers. Why? I think because the dimensions of a throw size quilt make it large enough to use on the couch but at the same time small enough to be made in a reasonable amount of time.
There is quite a bit of variety in throw size quilts if you look at different pattern designers. You will also find finished quilt sizes described as ‘small throw’ and ‘large throw’ to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Generally, the size of a throw quilt is anywhere between 52’’–75’’ for both quilt width and quilt length.
Twin Quilt Size
As you know, English isn’t our first language, so when we first heard all of these quilt size expressions, we were pretty confused, to say the least. But probably the most confusing (for us) was a twin size quilt. Because for me, a twin size would mean it covers two people, but apparently a twin size bed is the same as a single bed (where’s the logic in that?). Which means a twin size quilt is generally used to cover one person.
So, if you’re making a quilt for a twin size bed, you will probably need a quilt with a width of 64’’–72’’ and a length of 86’’–90’’.
Choosing between smaller and larger twin size quilt dimensions usually comes down to how much extra width and/or length you want on the sides of the bed.
Full Quilt Size (or Double Quilt Size)
A full size quilt (also called a double size quilt) is usually used to cover two people. And just like that, the logic in the land has been restored.
Standard full size quilt dimensions are: width of 70’’–88’’ and length of 88’’–108’’.
Queen Quilt Size
A queen size quilt is used to cover a queen size bed, which apparently is the most popular bed size in the US. The standard queen quilt size is about 86’’–90’’ by 88’’–108’’.
King Quilt Size
The king of all quilt sizes is, of course, the king quilt size. I have never ever attempted to make anything even remotely as big. So if you’re planning a king size quilt, I applaud you for your courage. The standard king size quilt dimensions are 106’’–110’’ by 108’’.
Well, I gotta tell you, this was exhausting. But I think we got through it and now you know all about the (not so) standard quilt sizes. And don’t forget to bookmark the printable quilt size chart for future reference!
I am constantly looking up standard sizes for quilts( you’d think I’d have this memorized by now(agen67), but you’d be wrong…
Brenda, I totally get it! That’s exactly why we came up with this post and printable—to have everything in one place. Hope it helps!
Great information. Thank you,