Linen Pillowcase Sizes in Australia: Standard, King, Euro and Custom

Pillowcases look like the simplest thing you can buy for a bed. Then you open the size drop-down and find standard, king, euro, Oxford and continental — all slightly different, and none of them labelled in a way that tells you whether they will fit the pillows already on your bed. Because our linen is cut and sewn to order in our Hanoi workshop, getting the size right the first time matters. Here is the plain-English version for Australian beds.

Australian linen pillowcase sizes at a glance

These are the standard finished dimensions used across Australia and New Zealand:

• Standard: 48 x 73 cm — the default size, fits almost every pillow sold in Australian department stores.
• King: 50 x 90 cm — noticeably longer, made for king pillows on king and super king beds.
• European (Euro / Continental): 65 x 65 cm — the big square ones you prop against the bedhead.
• Body / long pillow: 48 x 150 cm — a custom-only size for pregnancy and body pillows.

If you are not sure which pillows you own, measure before you order. A standard pillow in a king case will look limp and slide around; a king pillow forced into a standard case will strain the seams every wash.

How many pillowcases does your bed need?

• Single and king single: one standard.
• Double: two standard.
• Queen: two standard, plus two euros if you like a layered look.
• King: two king cases, or two standard plus two euros.
• Super king: two king plus two euros to fill the width.

Most people underbuy. Two sets in rotation means you always have a clean pair while the other is drying — and linen dries fast, so a second set goes a long way. Our French linen pillowcases are sold individually as well as in pairs for exactly this reason.

Housewife, Oxford or envelope closure?

Size is only half the decision. The finish changes both the look and the measurement:

• Housewife (plain): stitched right to the edge. The listed size is the usable size.
• Oxford: a flat border, usually 5 cm, framing the pillow. A standard Oxford case measures around 58 x 83 cm overall but still holds a 48 x 73 cm pillow.
• Envelope closure: an internal flap that tucks the pillow in. No buttons, no zip, nothing to press into your face at 2am.

If you are comparing an Oxford listing against a housewife listing, check whether the seller quotes the outer dimension or the pillow dimension. It is the single most common reason a pillowcase arrives "wrong".

Your insert matters as much as the case

A beautifully sized case over a flat, tired pillow still looks flat and tired. Linen drapes rather than stiffens, so it shows the shape of whatever is inside it. If your pillows are more than two years old, replace the insert at the same time — our kapok pillow inserts hold their loft without the heat build-up of memory foam, which matters if you are already choosing linen for breathability.

AU vs US vs EU pillowcase sizes

Australian sizing sits between American and European conventions, which is why imported bedding often fits oddly:

• US Standard: 51 x 66 cm — shorter than an Australian standard.
• US Queen: 51 x 76 cm — close to an Australian standard, slightly wider.
• US King: 51 x 91 cm — near enough to an Australian king.
• EU: 65 x 65 cm squares and 50 x 70 cm rectangles are the norm.

We cut to AU, US and EU specifications, so you can order the size that matches the pillows you already own rather than replacing everything at once. The same logic applies to the rest of the bed — see our guide to linen sheet sizes in Australia if you are building a full set.

When a custom size makes sense

Custom is worth it if you own European pillows, a body pillow, an antique bolster, or anything that has never quite fitted a shop-bought case. Because every piece is made to order, a custom pillowcase is a note on your order rather than a special project. Send us the length and width of the pillow itself and we will add seam allowance.

How to measure in 30 seconds

Lay the pillow flat, press it down gently, and measure edge to edge in both directions. Round up to the nearest centimetre. If your pillow measures 47 x 72 cm, a standard 48 x 73 cm case is right — a snug fit is intentional, and stonewashed linen relaxes slightly with the first few washes rather than shrinking out of shape.

FAQ

What is the most common linen pillowcase size in Australia? Standard, 48 x 73 cm. Unless you specifically bought king pillows, this is the one you want.

Will a king pillowcase fit a standard pillow? Physically yes, but it will look loose and the pillow will migrate to one end. Match the size.

Do linen pillowcases shrink? Ours are stonewashed before sewing, so residual shrinkage is minimal. Wash warm rather than hot and dry on low to keep it that way.

Are euro pillowcases worth buying? They are decorative rather than functional. On a queen or king bed, two euros behind your sleeping pillows make the bed look finished — but skip them if you dislike moving cushions each night.

Do linen pillowcases really help your hair and skin? There is a real mechanism, but the claims are often overstated. We wrote an honest answer on linen pillowcases for hair and skin.

Ready to order?

Start with a pair in your bed's size, then add euros or a matching set later. Browse French linen pillowcases, pair them with a French linen sheet set, or explore the full French Linen collection.