Headboard Pillow: How to Choose the Right Size?

Choose a headboard pillow by measuring three things: the width you want to cover, the height you want behind your back, and the depth available on your mattress. Start with actual measurements rather than a Twin, Queen or King label. A pillow can be narrower than your mattress for a personal backrest, or extend across more of the bed for a wider sitting setup.

The goal is a comfortable place to lean while reading, watching TV or winding down. This guide explains how to measure, compare sizes and avoid buying a headboard cushion that looks right in a photo but does not fit your bed.

What is a headboard pillow?

A headboard pillow is a cushion placed at the head of a bed to provide a padded surface to lean against. Some are long, tufted cushions with a triangular side profile; others are flatter pads. You may also see them called headboard cushions, bed backrest pillows or wedge backrests.

The name alone does not tell you its size or purpose. Check the shape and dimensions, and whether it is designed for seated use. A headboard cushion is different from a structural headboard, a small pillow that fills a mattress gap, or a wedge specifically intended for lying down.

The Hammora headboard pillow has an angled, tufted backrest, a removable outer cover and a side pocket. Its wide shape is intended for reading, watching TV and relaxing while seated in bed.

How do you measure for a headboard pillow?

Use a tape measure to record mattress width, clear space around the head of the bed, seated backrest height and available depth. Keep the measurements in the same unit as the pillow listing so you can compare them directly.

1. Measure your mattress from side to side

Move loose bedding out of the way and measure straight across the mattress. Record the actual width rather than measuring the outside of the bed frame, which may be wider. Standard US mattress widths are a useful starting reference:

Source: Saatva's mattress measurement guide. Measure your own mattress before ordering, especially for nonstandard or custom beds.

2. Check the space around your headboard

If your bed has side panels, raised edges or a recessed headboard, measure the clear space where the cushion will sit. Compare the pillow's full width with that opening. A cushion that is wider than the mattress may still suit an open bed setup, but it needs room at both sides.

3. Check your seated height and remaining mattress space

Sit where you normally read and measure from the mattress surface to the area of your back you want to rest against the cushion. Then check how much mattress space the pillow's base will occupy. Leave enough room to sit, reposition yourself and get out of bed easily.

What width headboard pillow should you choose?

Choose the width according to the coverage you want and the space available. Matching the mattress width is one option, but it is not a universal rule.

• A personal backrest: choose enough width for your own sitting position while leaving other parts of the bed clear.
• A broad headboard cushion: compare the pillow width with the mattress for coverage across most of the bed.
• A shared sitting setup: consider both people's seating space and check where each person's back will meet the cushion.

For example, a 59.1 in pillow on a 60 in Queen mattress is about 0.9 in narrower overall. The same pillow on a 54 in Full mattress is about 5.1 in wider overall. Those differences affect the appearance and the clearance you need at the edges.

When centered, divide the total difference by two to estimate the gap or overhang on each side. Check that space against your frame and headboard before choosing.

Why do height and depth matter as much as width?

Width determines coverage. Height determines where the cushion meets your back. Depth determines how much room its base takes up on the mattress. A wider pillow is not necessarily taller or deeper.

Height: check the contact point behind your back

Compare backrest height with your own seated measurement. Your torso length, mattress softness and preferred sitting position affect where the top reaches. A cushion that supports one person's upper back may meet another person lower down. Do not assume that a bed-width cushion will also support your head.

Depth: leave room in front of the cushion

For a triangular backrest, depth is usually measured at the base. Compare that dimension with the space available where you sit. If the cushion sits forward of the headboard, its base will occupy some of the usable mattress area. Follow the product's positioning instructions and check its fit against a stable headboard or wall.

How do Hammora's 39, 59 and 79 in widths compare?

The three rounded width options correspond to 100, 150 and 200 cm. All three have the same approximate height and base depth: 50 cm tall and 20 cm deep. Only the width changes.

Size labels are rounded; compare the detailed measurements with your available space. Inch values are converted from the centimetre dimensions and rounded to one decimal place, using 2.54 cm per inch.

Explore the Hammora headboard pillow and compare colors and width options.

What else should you check before buying?

Once the dimensions fit, look at how the pillow will work in your daily routine.

• Backrest shape: compare the angle and profile with the sitting position you prefer.
• Cover care: check whether the cover removes and follow its cleaning label. A removable cover is not automatically machine washable.
• Practical details: a side pocket can keep a phone or remote nearby; check that it will remain accessible in your setup.
• Order contents: confirm that the listing includes the cushion and cover, rather than a cover alone.

If you are also considering a backrest with arms, our reading pillow buying guide explains the different features to compare.

Headboard pillow size FAQs

Should a headboard pillow be the same width as the bed?

It can be, but it does not have to be. Choose near-mattress-width coverage for a broad cushion across the bed, or a narrower width for your own sitting area. Check any overhang against the bed frame and available space.

What size headboard pillow fits a Queen bed?

A standard US Queen mattress is 60 in wide. Compare that with the actual pillow width and the coverage you want. For example, a 59.1 in cushion is close to mattress width, while a narrower one leaves more mattress visible at the sides.

Can a King headboard pillow fit a California King bed?

Compare inches rather than the labels. Standard US King mattresses are 76 in wide, while California King mattresses are 72 in wide. A cushion intended for a King may extend beyond a California King mattress, so check the clearance at both sides.

Is a wider headboard pillow also taller?

Not necessarily. Some products change only in width. Hammora's three width options share the same approximate 19.7 in height and 7.9 in base depth, so choosing a wider one does not increase backrest height.

Can I use a headboard pillow without a headboard?

Check the product's instructions and the surface behind the bed. A stable wall may provide the backstop for a cushion intended to rest against it. The pillow itself does not replace a structural headboard or secure the bed frame.

Is a headboard pillow the same as a mattress gap filler?

No. A mattress gap filler is designed for the space between a mattress and headboard. A headboard backrest pillow provides a cushioned surface to lean against. Compare the intended use and dimensions rather than relying on the word “wedge.”

Choose the fit, then choose the finish

Write down your mattress width, clear space, preferred backrest height and available base depth. Compare those measurements with the pillow dimensions before choosing a color. That gives you a more useful starting point than copying the bed shown in a product photo.

For an angled, tufted backrest with a removable outer cover and a handy side pocket, find your Hammora headboard pillow and choose the width that suits your space.