Pillow Loft Calculator
Pillow loft is a gap-filling problem. Your shoulder width sets how big the gap between your ear and the mattress is, your mattress decides how much of that gap it absorbs, and your sleep position decides how much of it the pillow has to cover. Answer the three questions below to get a target compressed loft range — the height under the weight of your head, not the number on the packaging.
Your target compressed loft
4.5"–5.5"
Medium-high loftMedium feelFills the whole shoulder-to-ear gap — the tallest requirement.
Confirm it on your own bed: lying in your normal position, your nose should point straight ahead and your spine should run in one line from your lower back to the back of your head. If your head tilts down, go taller; if your chin is pushed toward your chest, go lower.
Fills that hit this range
- Adjustable shredded fill — the easiest way to land on a half-inch
- Medium latex or a moderate contour foam for consistent height
- Down alternative with a dense core if you want a softer surface
How to measure your shoulders
Stand with your back to a wall and have someone measure straight across from the outer edge of one shoulder to the other. If you cannot measure, height is a reasonable proxy: under 5'4" usually reads as narrow, 5'4"–5'10" as average, 5'11"–6'3" as broad, and above that as very broad.
Pillows that fit this result
Ranked from our research catalogue by position fit, firmness, and whether the loft can be adjusted. Adjustable pillows score higher because they can be tuned to any range.
Read the reasoning
The calculator is a starting point built from published loft specifications and sleep-posture guidance — it is not a measurement of you. These guides explain each input in detail.