Queen size beds are the most popular on the market. That means there are many options when you’re looking for accessories like headboards and bedding. Sometimes all these choices can leave us overwhelmed – especially when it comes to specialty items like quilts. Though there is a “standard” size, quilts are often made with a lot of personal preference, which can leave us wondering what the dimensions of a queen size quilt are.
The standard size of a queen size quilt batting is 90 x 108 inches, but quilts can range anywhere from 76”- 86” x 90” – 104”. A queen-size mattress is 60” x 80”, and quilts and comforters generally have a 10-inch drop beyond the edge of the bed, making 70” x 90” a popular size.
In this article, we will go over the dimensions of a queen size quilt, what factors contribute to their size variation, and the best size blanket to top a queen size bed with. Finally, we will cover the standard dimensions for quilts for other bed sizes.
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What are the Dimensions of a Queen Size Quilt?
The dimensions that can be found for a queen size quilt can be somewhat perplexing. They don’t fit in exactly with other commercial comforters and there is no standard Golden Rule – making it impossible to find a concrete answer. Some will determine that a standard queen quilt measures 60” x 80”, because that is the size of the mattress. This, though, would leave you with a quilt that covered only the top of the mattress – with no drop at the sides or foot of the bed – something we don’t often see.
Queen size quilts can range from the latter up to 90” x 108” – which is the same as the standard dimensions for pre-cut batting. These dimensions allow the blanket to drape further over the edge of the bed – giving you a way to help accentuate more of the beautiful handiwork of the quilt.
What is the Size of a Homemade Queen Quilt?
A quilt is a work of art – a lot of time, effort, and personality go into making one. In most cases, this also means that personal preference is what ultimately determines its size. One thing that can be determined for sure is that to be considered a queen size quilt. The finished dimensions must be at least 60 x 80 inches – the size of a queen size mattress. Anything smaller would be put into a category of a smaller-sized bed.
Apart from this initial measurement, the size of a homemade quilt is left largely up to preference – that of the person making it or the one buying it. Quilts can be made freehand, but in many cases, people follow quilting patterns. Like the finished blanket sizes, quilt patterns – for all bed sizes – can vary by size by several inches.
Beyond the pattern itself, homemade quilts can be further customizable. Borders can be added on any or all edges to increase the size further, or rows from the original quilt pattern can be left out if a smaller-sized quilt is desired.
What Can Influence the Size of a Quilt
Most of what determines the finished size of a quilt – queen size or otherwise – is personal preference, but a few factors can help lead people to a final decision. Appearance is a significant factor when considering the size of a quilt made for a queen size bed. If you want the quilt to drop down along the sides when the bed is made – the longer drop you desire, the larger the quilt must be.
You may also consider how many people will sleep under the quilt. If there is only a need to cover one body – perhaps a slightly smaller quilt will work. For two people – or for versatility – you may want to opt for a few more inches to sleep under in fully-covered comfort.
If you know the mattress where the quilt will be spread, its thickness can also play a role. Considering your preference for the blanket’s drop – a rather thin mattress will not need to be as large as, say, a super thick and tall, allover pillow top one.
An easy way to calculate the size of quilt you will need for your bed is to take the standard size of the mattress – 60 x 80 inches for a queen – and add the desired width and length of the desired overhang. A somewhat standard place to start is at 10 to 12 inches. Adding 10 inches to both sides and the bottom of a queen size quilt would leave you with measurements of 80 x 90 inches.
Another thing to consider when determining your quilt size are the quilt supplies themselves. Pre-cut batting comes in standard sizes. Queen size batting is 90 x 108 inches – which means that if this is what you’ll be using, you will also be subject to these limitations.
It’s also important to remember that when making a quilt, you need to leave a little leeway between the size of the batting and your quilt top. Generally speaking – about 4 inches is a safe amount to allow you to sandwich the quilt together and give yourself some wiggle room.
The backing material for the particular quilt can also be a consideration when choosing the quilt dimensions. You will most likely have to piece together the backing for a quilt of this size. If you are working with a specific pattern or a certain size of fabric – this may also be an influential factor in deciding the size of the quilt.
What’s the Best Size Quilt for a Queen Size Bed?
Another answer that’s just not one-size-fits-all. The best size quilt for a queen-size bed depends on what looks and feels best for you – this can be both good and bad. If you’re looking for a straight answer – you won’t find it under quilt sizes, but it also means you can’t go wrong.
If you’d like to spread the quilt over the top of the bed – more as an accent piece than anything else – a 60” x 80” may be for you. The pattern will be displayed beautifully for all to see, but you won’t have any extra material.
If you’re the type of person who prefers to tuck your comforter all around the bed, you will need a tucking allowance. Ten to 12 inches is a suitable amount of fabric allowance to be tucked neatly under a mattress. Of course, the height of your mattress will play a key role here – if your mattress is a towering 18 inches tall, there’s no way a 10-inch tucking allowance will cover it.
On the other hand, you may prefer your fabulous bedspread to drape dramatically over the edges of your mattress. If this is the case, decide how long you want the drop to be and add that amount to the starting size of 60” x 80”. Also, consider your bed frame – if the bed is minimalist and low to the ground, a 10-inch drop or less may be just right. If you desire a long drop and sleep in a high-off-the-ground four-poster bed, you will likely add rows and borders to your pattern.
Will a Queen Size Quilt Fit a Full Size Bed?
A queen size mattress is 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a full size bed at 54” x 75” – not incredibly significant. Given the amount of variance and preference that are part of selecting the perfect quilt – in most cases, a queen size quilt will be well suited for a full size bed. Use the influential factors listed above to help make the judgment call for a full size bed, just as you would with a queen.
On the smaller end of the spectrum, a “standard” 60” x 80” queen-size quilt would only drop about half a foot over the edges of a full size bed. Unless the mattress was incredibly thin, it still would not provide enough allowance to be tucked in. Anything over this size would work well, depending on the mattress thickness, bed frame and your preference for how you like the bed to look.
How Many Blocks Make a Queen Size Quilt?
Once you determine the desired size for your quilt, you can calculate how many blocks it will take to create it. Or perhaps you want to select your block size and let this help determine the finished size of the quilt. Either way – just like with all things quilting – you’ve got options.
Twelve inches is common block size for quilting. Using 12-inch blocks, you can easily determine how many you will need to complete your quilt by dividing the length and width by 12 and then multiplying. For a 60” x 80” quilt you will need about 30 blocks: 60/12 = 5 x 80/12 =~6; 5 x 6 = 30. Five 12-inch blocks will make up the width of the quilt, and 6 12 inch blocks will create the length. A 90” x 108” quilt will take 68 12-inch blocks, and so on. The same process can be used for any size quilt – just make sure you adjust appropriately for the applicable block size you will use.
In addition to the block measurements, you will need to consider the possibility of borders. Whatever the size of the border is – should one be included – it would need to be subtracted from the quilts measurements before calculating how many squares you will need. As well as the quilts binding – which isn’t much but does add about an inch to each side of the quilt.
Standard Sizes for Quilts
With so much left up to the individual when it comes to quilt preferences, it may be helpful to get an idea of the quilt size ranges across the board. As we discussed above, a queen size quilt could be perfectly suited for a full size bed. Or, perhaps a king-size quilt with smaller dimensions could be just what you are looking for for your queen bed.
Below you will find a range of bed sizes and the standard size pre-cut batting to match. Alongside this will be suggested quilt dimensions based on a standard thickness mattress – 12 – 15 inches. Remember – a quilt for each size bed can run the range from the mattress size to that of the batting.
Consider that the batting for a quilt should be about 4 inches larger than the finished top of the quilt. Another important note to make is that depending on the amount of quilting done on the quilt – from minimal to heavy – the finished size can also decrease by a couple of inches.
| Bed/Quilt Type | Mattress Dimensions | Standard Batting Size | Suggested Quilt Size |
| Crib | 27” x 52” | 45” x 60” | 36” x 60” |
| Lap | N/A | N/A | 45” x 45” |
| Twin | 39” x 75” | 72” x 90” | 70” x 90” |
| Twin XL | 39” x 80” | N/A | 70” x 90” |
| Double/Full | 54” x 75” | 81” x 96” | 84” x 90” |
| Queen | 60” x 80” | 90” x 108” | 90” x 95” |
| King | 78” x 80” | 120” x 120” | 108” x 95” |
| California King | 72” x 84” | N/A | 102” x 100” |
Conclusion
Quilt dimensions may not be as simple as you’d think. But one thing’s for sure – nothing compares to a beautiful cozy quilt atop the bed or for curling up on the couch. Being made by hand only makes it that much better. So much goes into making a quilt – they are truly one-of-a-kind heirloom items.
When deciding on the perfect quilt, consider what brings you the most happiness. If purchasing an already completed quilt, it may make more sense to look at the dimensions listed rather than going by the size label itself. A small “queen” size quilt may not necessarily be your perfect match, but perhaps a “king” size with smaller dimensions would.