Pillow Loft Chart.
Plain reference sheet with review links beside the claims.
Plain reference sheet with review links beside the claims.
Pillow Loft Chart
Pillow loft should be read under load. Tall catalog photos mean little after ten pounds of head, heat, and time.
Loaded Loft Starting Points
Unloaded loft is the pillow sitting pretty. Loaded loft is the pillow doing work. Use the loaded number first.
| Sleeper | Starting loaded loft | What to check | Review links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stomach | 1.8 to 2.8 in | Chin lift, lower-back tension, folded-edge pressure | Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow, Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative Pillow, low-loft list |
| Back | 2.5 to 3.6 in | Chin angle, jaw tension, back-of-head pressure | Marlow Adjustable Pillow by Brooklinen, Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow, back-sleeper list |
| Average side | 3.5 to 4.4 in | Nose-to-sternum line in a side photo | Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow, Purple Harmony Pillow, side-sleeper list |
| Broad side | 4.3 to 5.3 in | Shoulder gap filled without head tilt | Pillow Cube Side Cube Original, Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow, broad-shoulder list |
| Soft mattress side | 3.2 to 4.1 in | Shoulder sink lowers the pillow requirement | Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow, soft-mattress list |
| Firm mattress side | 4.0 to 5.1 in | Firm bed creates a taller shoulder gap | Purple Harmony Pillow, firm-mattress list |
Quick Field Rule
Take a side photo. If the nose line points toward the mattress, add height. If it points uphill, remove height or pick a lower pillow.
Useful Cross-Checks
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What loft should a side sleeper start with? | Average side sleepers usually start around 3.5 to 4.4 inches of loaded loft, then adjust for shoulder width and mattress firmness. |
| Why loaded loft? | Loaded loft is measured while the pillow is compressed, so it is closer to the height your neck actually gets. |
| Are these lab numbers final? | The current rows are calculated scoring worksheets. They show the math path and should be replaced when retail units are measured. |
| Why link so many product pages? | A pillow claim is useful only when it points to the exact pillow page, specs, caveats, and money link. |
| Which review should I read first? | Start with the pillow that matches your sleep position and mattress firmness, then compare it against a cheaper control pillow. |
Other Guides
This Gets Expensive
Guide pages improve when the linked review rows become measured retail rows.
Current bill: fixtures, duplicate pillows, heat probes, wash cycles, and storage tubs.
Donations buy the next retail pillow, the duplicate lab pillow, and the boring supplies that make the data useful.