Quilt Sizes: Measurements From Baby to King

It's important to have a good grasp on quilt sizes if you plan to pursue the hobby of quilt-making. 

While quilting isn't an exact science in any way, and it leaves lots of room for the artist's interpretation, you'll still want your finished quilt to fit your bed, your grandson's crib or that space on the wall that's just itching for a handcrafted textile.  

Familiarizing yourself with common measurements is a solid first step for anyone who plans to make quilts. The following quilt sizes are suggested by BCQuilter's Weblog.

Popular Quilt Sizes

• Baby — Baby quilts are typically square in shape and range from 36 inches / 91cm by 36 inches / 91cm, up to 52 inches / 132cm by 52 inches / 132cm. Either one, or any measurement in between, will be big enough to keep baby snugly warm on even the coldest winter day.
• Crib — Crib quilts typically measure between 30 inches / 76 cm by 46 inches / 117cm and 36 inches /91cm by 50 inches / 127cm. They're rectangular in shape and will fit most crib mattresses when made to fall within these measurements.
• Toddler Bed — Quilts for toddler beds are rectangular and should measure about 46 inches / 117cm by 70 / 178cm inches to fit a standard-size toddler mattress.
• Lap — Lap quilts can be square or rectangular, depending how you decide to make them. There's a lot of leeway where lap quilts are concerned, and you can make yours in nearly any size you choose. A good place to start is around 52 inches / 132 cm by 52 inches / 132cm, up to 52 inches / 132cm by 78 inches / 198cm. It all depends on whether you just want a light coverlet to go over your lap or if you plan to snuggle up with a favorite someone on the couch.
• Twin — A twin-size quilt usually begins around 64 inches / 163cm by 86 inches / 218cm, but measurements can go as high as 72 inches / 183cm by 96 inches / 244cm if you want a nice drape over the sides of the bed.
• Full — A good place to start for a full-size quilt is 70 inches / 178cm by 88 inches / 224cm or 88 inches / 224cm by 100 inches / 254cm. Again, it just depends on the drape.
• Queen — Queen-size quilts usually measure around 99 inches / 252cm by 108 inches / 274cm.
• King — For your king-size bed, you'll want a coverlet that measures at least 108 inches / 274cm by 108 inches / 274cm for nice coverage all around.

Depending upon where you look on the internet for standard quilt sizes, you're going to find quite a bit of variation. The measurements listed here tend to be generous to allow the quilt to drape nicely over all sides of the bed. But smaller quilts are fine too.

For the best fit, break out the tape measure and take the exact measurements of the bed you're trying to dress and then allow extra inches for overhang on all sides. Crazy Mom Quilts has a great tutorial for learning exactly how to measure your bed. If you want your quilt to cover and tuck beneath your pillows, you'll want to allow for that as well.

Quilt sizes for table runners, place mats or wall hangings

Of course, not every quilting project starts out to fill a bed. And if you're just looking to create handcrafted accessories for home — items like table runners, place mats or wall hangings— here are a few loose guidelines out there to help you manage quilt sizes.

• Wall Hangings — Wall hangings really have no hard and fast rules that apply. The smartest approach is to measure the space you want the textile to cover and go from there.
• Table Runners — The average size of a typical table runner is 12 inches / 30cm by 40 inches / 102cm.
• Place Mats — Your quilted place mats should measure roughly 11 inches / 28cm by 15 inches /38cm.

What size will you make your quilt?

Quilt sizes matter, but only because you want your finished quilt to fit your bed, table or that big white space on your wall. Other than that, sizing is up to your interpretation. As the quilt maker, you're the artist and it's your vision that's being realized. Don't be afraid to make your quilt whatever size you want if it will give your project that little extra punch of individuality.

Looking for an easy way to remember quilt sizes? Download Runaway Quilting’s free printable guide, the Ultimate Guide to Quilt Sizes—featuring both imperial and metric sizes.