Twin Quilt Size: Dimensions in Inches, Backing, Batting and Blocks
A twin quilt finishes at about 68 x 90 inches (5.7 x 7.5 feet), which covers a 38 x 75 inch twin mattress with a 15 inch drop. Published charts run 64 x 86 to 72 x 96 inches. Plan 5 1/2 yards of 42 inch backing, 9 binding strips and a queen batting.
A twin quilt for a 38 by 75 inch twin mattress with a 15 inch drop finishes at 68 by 90 inches. That is the coverlet convention most modern quilt charts use: the mattress plus the drop down both sides and the foot, with no pillow tuck. Mattress depth runs 8 to 14 inches, so a deep mattress needs a longer drop to cover the sides.
Every planning number for a twin quilt sits in the table below: 68 x 90 inches finished, batting cut to 76 x 98 inches and 9 binding strips at 2 1/2 inches, over 5 1/2 yards of 42 inch backing.
| Typical finished size | 68 x 90 in (5.7 x 7.5 ft) |
|---|---|
| Published size range | 64 x 86 to 72 x 96 in |
| Mattress | 38 x 75 in, 8 to 14 in deep |
| Quilt top area | 42.5 sq ft |
| Backing, 42 in cotton | 5 1/2 yd (2 panels) |
| Backing, 108 in wide | 2 1/8 yd |
| Binding (2 1/2 in strips) | 9 strips, 5/8 yd |
| Batting to cut | 76 x 98 in (Queen package) |
| Comfortable throat space | 9 to 12 in |
How big should a twin quilt be for your bed?
The drop is the part of the quilt that hangs over the edge of the mattress. A coverlet just clears the mattress sides, a comforter-style quilt sits a little shorter, and a bedspread runs to the floor and tucks over the pillows. The table below gives the twin size for each style, measured from the 38 x 75 inch mattress top: a bedspread version runs 86 x 112 inches against 68 x 90 for the coverlet on this page.
| Style | Drop | Pillow tuck | Quilt size (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverlet | 12 in | none | 62 x 87 |
| Coverlet | 15 in | none | 68 x 90 |
| Comforter / Duvet style | 10 in | none | 58 x 85 |
| Comforter / Duvet style | 15 in | none | 68 x 90 |
| Bedspread | 20 in | 13 in | 78 x 108 |
| Bedspread | 24 in | 13 in | 86 x 112 |
For a bedspread, measure from the top of your mattress to the floor and use that as the drop, since bed frames vary. Cotton quilts also shrink about 3 to 5 percent in the first wash, so add 2 to 3 inches if an exact finished size matters. The quilt size calculator handles any mattress depth and drop.
How many blocks do you need for a twin quilt?
Divide the quilt width and length by the finished block size and round to the nearest whole block. At 12 inches that is 6 blocks across and 8 down, 48 blocks in total. The table assumes no sashing or border, so the finished top is close to, but not exactly, 68 x 90 inches.
| Finished block | Across x down | Total blocks | Top size (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 11 x 15 | 165 | 66 x 90 |
| 8 in | 9 x 11 | 99 | 72 x 88 |
| 10 in | 7 x 9 | 63 | 70 x 90 |
| 12 in | 6 x 8 | 48 | 72 x 96 |
| 14 in | 5 x 6 | 30 | 70 x 84 |
| 16 in | 4 x 6 | 24 | 64 x 96 |
Want fewer blocks? Add a border. A 6 inch border on all four sides removes 12 inches from each dimension of the block area. Try it in the blocks needed calculator, or see quilt block sizes for cutting sizes.
Precuts save you the cutting: a charm pack is 42 squares of 5 inches that finish at 4 1/2, and a layer cake is 42 squares of 10 inches that finish at 9 1/2, both ready to sew straight into these grids.
How much fabric does a twin quilt need for backing, binding and batting?
These are the finishing materials for a 68 x 90 inch top, using 4 inches of extra backing and batting per side and 2 1/2 inch double-fold binding cut across 42 inch cotton.
- Backing: 5 1/2 yards of 42 inch cotton (2 panels, vertical seams), or 2 1/8 yards of 108 inch wide backing. Full detail on the twin backing page.
- Binding: 9 strips at 2 1/2 inches, 328 inches in total, 5/8 yards. See the twin binding page.
- Batting: 76 x 98 inches, so a Queen package (90 x 108 in) covers it. Compare types in the batting size chart, or size batting for a top that is not a standard size with the batting size calculator.
What machine do you need to quilt a twin quilt?
Twin to queen quilts are far easier with an extended arm machine. Throat space, the distance from the needle to the machine body, decides how much quilt you can bunch to the right of the needle. For a quilt 68 inches wide, look for 9 to 12 in.
Machines built for twin to queen quilts
Twin and queen tops are where an extended arm pays for itself in comfort and time.
Juki TL-2010Q High-Speed Sewing and Quilting Machine
Under $2,500The most popular step up for quilters moving past a standard machine.
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Janome 1600P-QC Straight Stitch Sewing and Quilting Machine
Under $2,500Straight-stitch speed and a heavy frame for big quilts.
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Juki TL-15 Mid-Arm Quilting and Piecing Machine
Under $2,500A midarm with a much bigger throat for queen-size quilting at a table.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Measure before you cut
Quilt size charts disagree by several inches. Measure your actual mattress and the drop you like on an existing blanket, then adjust. It is easier to add a border than to unpick one.
Supplies for a twin quilt
Warm & Natural Cotton Batting, King (4 Pack)
Under $250Cotton batting in king packages, enough for several large quilts.
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ROC-lon 108 in Wide Cotton Quilt Backing, White, 3 Yards
Under $50Extra-wide backing that skips the seams on a big quilt.
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Creative Grids 12-1/2 x 24-1/2 Rectangle Quilt Ruler
Under $100A long, grippy ruler for cutting borders and binding strips accurately.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How does a twin quilt compare with other sizes?
Standard quilt sizes run from a 24 x 24 inch mini up to a 106 x 95 inch king, and the table below places a twin quilt among them at 68 x 90 inches, or 42.5 square feet.
| Quilt | Typical size (in) | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 68 x 90 | Twin bed coverlet, bunk bed, daybed |
| Mini / Wall Hanging | 24 x 24 | Wall decor, table topper, skill practice, swaps |
| Baby | 40 x 40 | Play mat, tummy time, stroller, gift |
| Crib | 36 x 52 | Nursery decor, toddler bed; keep soft bedding out of an infant sleep space per safe-sleep guidance |
| Lap | 45 x 60 | Chair or wheelchair lap cover, reading |
| Throw | 50 x 65 | Couch, foot of bed, picnic |
| Twin XL | 68 x 95 | Dorm bed coverlet |
| Full / Double | 83 x 90 | Full bed coverlet |
| Queen | 90 x 95 | Queen bed coverlet |
| King | 106 x 95 | King or split king bed coverlet |
| California King | 102 x 99 | California king bed coverlet |
Frequently asked questions
How big is a twin quilt in feet?
A twin quilt of 68 x 90 inches is about 5.7 x 7.5 feet. Quilt sizes are not standardized, so patterns and shops list anything from 64 x 86 to 72 x 96 inches. Measure your own mattress width, length and depth, then add the drop you like on each side, because a thick pillow-top twin mattress can eat several inches of drop.
How much fabric do I need for the back of a twin quilt?
With 4 inches of extra backing on every side, a 68 x 90 inch twin quilt needs a 76 x 98 inch backing. That is 5 1/2 yards of 42 inch quilting cotton sewn as 2 panels with vertical seams, or 2 1/8 yards of 108 inch wide backing. Longarm quilters may ask for 6 inches per side, so check first.
What size batting do I need for a twin quilt?
Cut batting about 4 inches larger than the top on every side, so a twin quilt needs roughly 76 x 98 inches. The smallest standard package that covers it is Queen batting at 90 x 108 inches. Package sizes vary slightly by brand, so compare the label before you buy.
How many 12 inch blocks do I need for a twin quilt?
Without sashing or borders, a twin quilt near 68 x 90 inches takes 6 blocks across and 8 down, 48 blocks in total, for a finished top of 72 x 96 inches. Adding a border lets you use fewer blocks and still reach the size you want. The blocks-needed calculator works out sashing and borders for you.
How much binding does a twin quilt need?
A 68 x 90 inch quilt has a perimeter of 316 inches. Adding 12 inches for mitered corners and the final join, you need about 328 inches of binding, which is 9 strips cut 2 1/2 inches wide across 42 inch fabric, or 5/8 yards of fabric.
How do you calculate quilt size from a mattress?
Quilt width is the mattress width plus twice the drop, and quilt length is the mattress length plus one drop plus any pillow tuck. For this size that is 38 + (2 x 15) = 68 inches wide and 75 + 15 = 90 inches long. The drop is the distance from the top edge of the mattress to wherever you want the quilt to stop, so measure your own bed rather than trusting a chart.
How do I measure a quilt I already own?
Lay the quilt flat on a bed or floor, smooth out the wrinkles, then measure across the middle in both directions rather than along the edges, which stretch. Record width first, then length, the way quilt sizes are written: a twin quilt reads 68 x 90 inches. A washed cotton quilt measures about 3 to 5 percent smaller than it did before its first wash.
Can I quilt a twin quilt on a regular sewing machine?
Twin to queen quilts are far easier with an extended arm machine. For a quilt 68 inches wide, a throat space of 9 to 12 in makes the job comfortable. A standard machine with a 6 to 7 inch harp can still quilt it with careful rolling and straight lines, but free-motion work on a big quilt is far easier with more space. Many quilters also send large tops to a longarm service.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
