How to Measure Your Cushions

Perfect fit starts with perfect measurements. Follow this guide to measure your furniture frames or existing covers accurately.

Critical Measuring Rules

1. Measure the Furniture, Not the Foam

Old foam compresses and warps over time. For the best fit, measure the inside dimensions of the furniture frame where the cushion will sit. If measuring an old cover, pull it taut seam-to-seam.

2. Use a Firm Tape Measure

Cloth measuring tapes (like for sewing clothes) can stretch. Use a retractable metal tape measure for straight lines and rigid accuracy.

3. Width vs. Depth

Width is always left-to-right (looking at the seat). Depth is front-to-back. Getting these swapped is the most common mistake!

4. Round to the Nearest 0.5 Inch

Don’t guess. If you are between inches, we generally recommend rounding down for a snug fit inside a frame, or rounding up if the cushion sits on top with no sides.

Standard Rectangle & Square

Standard cushions are defined by straight lines and 90-degree corners. These are used for basic dining chairs, benches, and standard sofa bottoms.

  1. Measure Width (Side to Side): Measure the back of the seat frame from left to right. Then measure the front. If they differ slightly, use the smaller measurement if it needs to fit inside the arms.
  2. Measure Depth (Front to Back): Measure from the front edge of the frame to the very back rest. Note: If you are ordering a back cushion too, deduct the thickness of the back cushion from the seat depth so the seat doesn’t hang over.
  3. Determine Thickness: Standard bench pads are 2-3″. Deep seating often starts at 4-6″. Measure your preferred height relative to the ground.

Trapezoid

Commonly seen on wicker chairs or dining seats where the back is narrower than the front.

  1. Measure Back Width Measure the width at the very back of the seat, where it meets the backrest.
  2. Measure Front Width Measure the width at the very front edge of the seat. This is usually wider than the back.
  3. Measure Depth (Center) Measure from the center of the front edge straight back to the center of the rear edge.

T-Shape Cushions

Often used for lounge chairs or sofas where the cushion extends in front of the armrests (the “ears”).

  1. Total Front Width: Measure the total width across the very front, including the “ears” (the parts that wrap in front of the arms).
  2. Back Width (Between Arms) Measure the width at the back, fitting strictly between the furniture arms.
  3. Total Depth vs. Ear Depth We need the Total Depth (center front to center back) and the Ear Depth (how far back the ear goes before hitting the armrest).

L-Shape

Used for corner benches or sectionals. This can be made as one piece (hinged) or two separate pieces.

  1. Back Lengths (Long Sides): Measure the total length of the back edge for Leg 1 and Leg 2.
  2. Seat Depth: Measure how deep the seat is from front to back. Ensure this is consistent for both legs of the ‘L’.
  3. Inner Lengths: Measure the interior edges (where your knees would be). These measurements help confirm the angle is 90 degrees.

Round Cushions

Perfect for bar stools, bistro chairs, or Papasan chairs. Measuring an ideal circle is simple but requires checking multiple angles.

  1. Measure the Diameter: Measure straight across the widest part of the circle. Do this in 2-3 different directions (like the hands of a clock: 12-6 and 9-3) to ensure the frame is perfectly round.
  2. Papasan Chairs (Bowl Shape): For bowl-shaped chairs, lay the tape measure along the bowl’s curve, from edge to edge, to measure the full arc length, not just the straight line across the top.

Triangle Cushions

Commonly used for corner fillers or specific architectural nooks.

  1. Measure All Three Sides: Measure the length of Side A, Side B, and Side C separately. Do not assume two sides are equal unless you verify it.
  2. Check the Corner Angle: If this is a corner piece, confirm if the back corner is a perfect 90-degree angle. If not, a template may be required.
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Still not sure?

Complex shapes like papasan chairs or antique furniture can be tricky. You can always send us a template or photos of your furniture.

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