A standard throw blanket measures about 50 × 60 inches (127 × 152 cm), enough to cover one person sitting on a couch or in an armchair. Oversized throws run from about 60 × 70 to 60 × 80 inches (152 × 178 to 152 × 203 cm), big enough for two people on a couch or for the foot of a queen bed. A throw is not a bed blanket: bed blankets are cut to the mattress plus an overhang, starting at about 66 × 90 inches (168 × 229 cm) for a twin.
Two rules of thumb make the choice easy. On the couch, pick a throw about as long as you are tall if you like to nap under it. On a bed, the throw's length should be the width of the mattress plus at least 8 inches (20 cm), so it hangs over both sides. Our merino throws come in 51 × 67 in (130 × 170 cm), 55 × 79 in (140 × 200 cm) and 59 × 85 in (150 × 215 cm); the tables below show what each one fits.
Throw blanket sizes in inches and centimeters
There is no official standard for throws, so sizes vary by a few inches from one maker to the next. These are the sizes you will see most often in US stores:
| Throw size | Typical dimensions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Lap throw | about 40 × 50 in (102 × 127 cm) | an armchair, a reading corner, the car |
| Standard throw | about 50 × 60 in (127 × 152 cm) | one person sitting on a couch |
| Large throw | about 50 × 70 in (127 × 178 cm) | napping on the couch |
| Oversized throw | about 60 × 70 to 60 × 80 in (152 × 178 to 152 × 203 cm) | two people on a couch, the foot of a queen bed |
Our 51 × 67 in throw sits between a standard and a large throw. The 55 × 79 in and 59 × 85 in throws are oversized; the largest is about the size of the top of a queen mattress.
What size throw for a couch
- One person sitting: a standard throw is enough. Our 51 × 67 in (130 × 170 cm) throw leaves some extra to tuck around your feet.
- Napping: choose a throw about as long as you are tall. The 51 × 67 in suits people up to about 5 ft 7 in; the 55 × 79 in (140 × 200 cm) and 59 × 85 in (150 × 215 cm) throws are longer than most adults are tall.
- Two people sharing: lay the long side across your laps. At 85 inches (215 cm), the largest throw covers two people sitting side by side.
- Draped over the arm or back: any size works. The 51 × 67 in is the easiest to fold neatly, and the fringes of the 55 × 79 in look good hanging over an arm.
What size throw for a twin, full, queen or king bed
On a bed, a throw usually lies folded in thirds lengthwise across the lower part of the mattress, so what matters is its length compared with the width of the bed. These are the standard US mattress sizes and the throws from our range that reach across them:
| Mattress | Size | Our throw across the foot | Hangs over each side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 × 75 in (97 × 191 cm) | 51 × 67 in | about 14 in (37 cm) |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80 in (97 × 203 cm) | 51 × 67 in | about 14 in (37 cm) |
| Full | 54 × 75 in (137 × 191 cm) | 51 × 67 in or 55 × 79 in | about 6 or 12 in (16 or 31 cm) |
| Queen | 60 × 80 in (152 × 203 cm) | 55 × 79 in or 59 × 85 in | about 9 or 12 in (24 or 31 cm) |
| King | 76 × 80 in (193 × 203 cm) | 59 × 85 in | about 4 in (11 cm) |
| California king | 72 × 84 in (183 × 213 cm) | 59 × 85 in | about 6 in (16 cm) |
The overhang is measured from the top edge of the mattress, and the 79 in length includes the fringes. On a king, our largest throw reaches across the top with a few inches to spare but does not hang far down the sides; for that, a throw needs to be at least 90 inches (229 cm) long.
A throw also works as a personal layer. A queen is 60 inches (152 cm) wide, so each sleeper has about 30 inches (76 cm); if one of you runs cold, a 51 × 67 in throw on that side covers one person from shoulders to feet. On a twin, the 59 × 85 in throw laid flat covers the whole top of the mattress.
Throw vs. blanket: bed blanket sizes
If you want a blanket that covers the whole bed and hangs down the sides, you need a bed blanket rather than a throw. Bed blankets are sized to the mattress plus a drop on each side. Typical US sizes, which vary by maker:
- Twin: about 66 × 90 in (168 × 229 cm)
- Full/queen: about 90 × 90 in (229 × 229 cm)
- King/California king: about 108 × 90 in (274 × 229 cm)
All three of our sizes are throws, not bed blankets. Even the largest will not tuck in like a twin blanket, and on a bigger bed it is an extra layer over the comforter or across the foot, not the main cover.
Our merino throws: sizes, weights and what they fit
All three are woven from 80% merino wool and 20% nylon in our family's own mill in Ukraine, and all are OEKO-TEX® certified. Prices are from $49.90, shipping is free across the US from our New Jersey warehouse, and if a throw turns out to be the wrong size, you have 30 days to return it.
| Size | Weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 51 × 67 in (130 × 170 cm), double-sided | 890 g (1.96 lb) | one person on the couch or in an armchair; the foot of a twin or full bed |
| 55 × 79 in (140 × 200 cm) including fringes, patterned | 730 g (1.6 lb) | naps on the couch; the foot of a full or queen bed |
| 59 × 85 in (150 × 215 cm), double-sided | 1,450 g (3.2 lb) | two people on the couch; the foot of a queen, king or California king bed; an extra layer on a twin |
The patterned 55 × 79 in throw, in chevron, diamonds, squares, stripes and more, is the lightest of the three. The 59 × 85 in is the heaviest and the one to pick when warmth matters most. See the sizes and colors in stock among our merino wool throws.
The 55 × 79 in size also exists in our cashmere-merino (90% merino wool, 10% cashmere), pure new wool and cotton-blend throws, and the 51 × 67 in in pure new wool. Those lines are sold out in the US at the moment; they are listed with all our throws.
FAQ
What size is a standard throw blanket?
About 50 × 60 inches (127 × 152 cm). Oversized throws run from about 60 × 70 to 60 × 80 inches (152 × 178 to 152 × 203 cm).
What size throw for a queen bed?
For a throw across the foot of a queen, which is 60 inches (152 cm) wide, choose one at least 68 inches (173 cm) long. Our 55 × 79 in and 59 × 85 in throws both fit.
What size throw for a king bed?
A king is 76 inches (193 cm) wide, so look for at least 84 inches (213 cm). Our 59 × 85 in throw reaches across with about 4 inches (11 cm) to spare on each side.
Can I use a throw as a bed blanket?
Only as an extra layer or on a small bed. Our 59 × 85 in throw covers the top of a twin mattress, but no throw tucks in or hangs down the sides the way a bed blanket does.
Do the fringes count in the size?
Yes. On our 55 × 79 in (140 × 200 cm) throw, the length includes fringes of 2–4 inches (5–10 cm).
