🛏 Pillow Stuffing Calculator
Find exactly how much fill or stuffing you need for any pillow size, shape, and firmness.
| Pillow Size | Polyester (oz) | Down Alt (oz) | Shredded Foam (oz) | Cotton (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 Small Accent | 4–6 | 3–5 | 5–8 | 5–7 |
| 14x20 Lumbar | 6–9 | 5–8 | 8–12 | 7–10 |
| 18x18 Throw | 8–12 | 7–10 | 11–16 | 10–14 |
| 20x26 Standard Sleep | 12–18 | 10–15 | 16–22 | 14–20 |
| 26x26 Euro | 20–28 | 17–24 | 26–36 | 22–30 |
| 20x54 Body Pillow | 28–40 | 24–34 | 38–52 | 32–44 |
| 16 in Round | 7–10 | 6–9 | 9–14 | 8–12 |
| 6x18 Bolster | 4–7 | 3–6 | 5–9 | 5–8 |
| Stuffing Type | Density (oz/cu in) | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Fiberfill – Light | 0.30 | Fluffy, plush | Decorative pillows |
| Polyester Fiberfill – Medium | 0.50 | Balanced support | Throw & accent pillows |
| Polyester Fiberfill – Firm | 0.70 | Dense, structured | Lumbar support pillows |
| Down Alternative | 0.25 | Soft, airy | Sleeping & couch pillows |
| Shredded Foam | 0.80 | Supportive, moldable | Support & body pillows |
| Buckwheat | 1.50 | Firm, adjustable | Ergonomic pillows |
| Cotton Batting | 0.40 | Natural, breathable | All-purpose pillows |
| Firmness Level | Fill Multiplier | Description | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0.85x | Loose, squishy, sink-in feel | Decorative, lap pillows |
| Medium | 1.00x | Balanced — not too firm or flat | General all-purpose use |
| Firm | 1.25x | Dense, holds shape well | Lumbar, sleeping support |
The stuffing is one of the most important parts of any pillow because it defines its character. Depending on the type and amount of material, you can create a unique cushion suited to your preferences, whether you want it soft, firm, high or low. When you buy a pillow you should consider factors like price, the material of the cover, breathability and the stuffing.
Similar to mattresses, the stuffing most strongly affects the feel, the comfort and the final price of the product.
How to Choose Pillow Stuffing
Polyester stuffing is the most popular choice because it is soft, durable and very fluffy. It is also one of the best options for cushions used outside. This fiber is hypoallergenic, you can wash it in a machine, and it ensures long-lasting comfort.
It works great for pillows, filled toys and other cushions. For instance, for cushions of 18×18 inches, a bag of 10 pounds of polyester costing around 25 dollars can fill ten or more cushions.
There are two kinds of memory foam: shredded and block. A cushion with block foam has one solid piece, while shredded memory foam is made up of many little bits.
Feather stuffing is made of soft feathers, but honestly, despite the benefits, it can be very uncomfortable because the bases of the feathers stay. Being poked by those hard peaks is not a funny experience. A bamboo-cotton mix could be a cooler alternative.
Wool is another option. To make wool cushions, you can use organic wool batting… Just fold the material and fill the cover.
One kind is 88 inches wide and about 2 inches thick, but it easily compacts to half an inch. Wool is biodegradable, which is a very nice thing. Even so, you must mind: washing wool more than needed could quickly turn the stuffing into one big, felt mass.
Filling the cushion flat can be a bit difficult. A wooden kitchen spoon helps a lot, just use the handle to push the stuffing into the corners. Putting the stuffing in the cover works, but loose material makes it easier to reach the corners.
Cheap bed pillows you can cut, take out the stuffing and use it again. If you wash old stuffing with a gentle program and dry it on low, it will become clean again. Even bits of fabric, old tees or batting work to fill a cushion.
Finally, it helps to know the use of the cushion (whether it is for sleep), for the sofa or just decoration… And whether itwill be permanently used.
