Pillow Height (Loft)
Loft is the first specification to check and the one most often described in words rather than numbers. Here is how to work out yours.
By the Somnora editorial team · Last updated September 1, 2026
Why the number on the box is not the number that matters
A pillow's stated loft is usually measured uncompressed. Put a head on it and a soft pillow can lose half its height. That is why loft and firmness have to be read together — a firm 4-inch pillow may sleep taller than a soft 6-inch one.
Estimating the loft you need
- Measure the gap. Lying on your side, the distance from the outside of your shoulder to the side of your head is a rough starting figure.
- Subtract for mattress sink. A plush mattress may absorb an inch or more of shoulder; a firm one absorbs very little.
- Check the result visually. Head roughly level with the spine, not tilted up or down.
- Re-check after a week, once a new pillow has settled and you have adapted to it.
Signs your loft is wrong
| What you notice | Often points to | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Head sinks toward the mattress by morning | Too little loft, or a pillow that collapses | A firmer pillow at the same stated height |
| Chin pushed toward the chest on your back | Too much loft for back sleeping | A lower pillow, or one with a neck contour |
| Tucking an arm under the pillow | Too little loft for side sleeping | More height, or an adjustable-fill pillow |
| Constantly folding the pillow in half | Too little loft | A taller or firmer pillow |
| Waking on your stomach with a stiff neck | Too much loft for that position | A very low pillow — see stomach sleeping |
Loft when you share a bed or change position
Two people rarely need the same loft, and there is no reason to match pillows for the sake of appearance. If you change position through the night, adjustable shredded fill or a dual-height design is usually more practical than a single fixed height — see combination sleeping.
What is pillow loft?
Loft is the height of a pillow. What matters is the height under load — with your head on it — not the height it measures on a shelf.
What loft do side sleepers need?
Commonly 4 to 6 inches under load for adults, but shoulder width and mattress softness shift the figure meaningfully in both directions.
Is a higher pillow better for neck support?
No. Support means holding the head roughly level with the spine. A pillow that is too high pushes the head off-axis just as a pillow that is too low lets it drop.