Pillow Finder
The pillow that fits the way you sleep
Answer eleven short questions and receive your own sleep setup report: the shape, height, feel and fill that suit you. Free, private, and yours to keep.
Find my pillowPillow Finder
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How it works
Built around how you sleep
Tell us how you sleep
Your position, build, mattress, warmth and what you like a pillow to feel like.
Receive your report
A complete specification with plain reasons, a shopping checklist and care advice. Free, with no sign-up.
Shop with confidence
Compare any pillow against your checklist. When nothing standard fits, we say so, and explain your options.
Sleep well
Small things that make a good night
Practical, honest advice for a more comfortable bed.
Is your pillow the right height?
Lie in your usual position and have someone look at you, or use your phone's camera. Your nose should line up with the center of your chest, and your neck should carry on the straight line of your spine. If your chin tips toward your chest, the pillow is too tall; if your head tips back or down, it is too low.
When to replace a pillow
Most pillows give good support for one to three years: fiber and down alternative toward the shorter end, latex, wool and buckwheat toward the longer. For fiber and down pillows, try the fold test: fold it in half, and if it doesn't spring back open, it's done. Lumps, a lasting dip where your head rests and waking stiff are signs too.
Sleeping cooler or warmer
A bedroom around 60 to 67 °F (16 to 19 °C) suits most people. If you sleep hot, choose breathable fills such as latex, buckwheat or ventilated foam, percale, linen or lyocell bedding, and lighter layers you can push off. If you sleep cold, flannel or brushed cotton, a wool layer and warm socks help, and down or wool fills feel cozy without trapping damp heat.
Your mattress and pillow work as a pair
On a soft mattress your shoulder and hips sink in, so a lower pillow keeps your head level. On a firm mattress you lie higher, so side sleepers need a taller pillow. If you change your mattress or add a topper, check your pillow height again.
Side sleepers: why a knee pillow helps
When you lie on your side, the top leg tends to slide forward and twist the hips and lower back. A pillow between the knees keeps the legs stacked and the hips level. Many people find it makes side sleeping far more comfortable within a night or two.
Washing and caring for each fill
Down, feather and down alternative pillows can usually be machine washed gently and dried on low with dryer balls until completely dry. Memory foam and latex are spot clean only; wash the cover instead. Buckwheat hulls must never get wet; pour them out, wash the case and air the hulls. A zippered protector under the pillowcase keeps every pillow cleaner for longer.
Allergy-friendly bedding
Zippered allergen-barrier covers on pillows and mattress keep dust mites out. Wash pillowcases and sheets weekly in hot water, at least 130 °F (54 °C), and keep indoor humidity below about 50 percent, since dust mites thrive in damp air. Down alternative, latex and foam fills are good choices for feather allergies.
Trial periods and returns: what to check before buying
A new pillow can take one to two weeks to feel normal, so look for a trial of at least 30 nights. Read whether returns are free, whether the pillow must be in its original packaging, and whether a used pillow can be returned at all. Keep the receipt and the box until you are sure.
A calmer bedroom: light, noise and screens
Darkness tells the body it is night, so blackout curtains or an eye mask help, and warm, dim lamps are kinder in the evening than bright overhead lights. Steady sound, such as a fan or white noise, can mask sudden noises. Putting screens away for the last half hour before bed lets the mind settle.
Sleeping well away from home
A memory-foam travel pillow keeps your head from dropping when you sleep sitting up. In hotels, ask for extra pillows and stack or fold them to your height, or bring a small packable pillow. An eye mask, earplugs and your own pillowcase make a strange room feel more like home.
The best pillow is not the most expensive one. It is the one made for the way you sleep.
Questions
Common questions
What pillow height do I need?
It depends mostly on how you sleep and how broad your shoulders are. Side sleepers usually need about 5 to 6 inches, back sleepers 3 to 4 inches, and stomach sleepers less than 3 inches. A soft mattress lowers what you need; a firm one raises it. The Pillow Finder above works out your own height.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers?
A firm, taller pillow with an even height, such as a gusseted pillow, fills the space between the ear and shoulder. Broad-shouldered side sleepers often prefer a pillow with a shoulder cut-out. A knee pillow helps keep the hips level.
What is the best pillow for hot sleepers?
Fills that let air move: latex, buckwheat hulls, kapok and ventilated or gel-infused foam, with a breathable cover. Percale, linen or lyocell pillowcases also sleep cooler than sateen or polyester.
Can a pillow help with a stiff neck?
A pillow at the wrong height is a common reason for waking stiff, and the right height and shape can make you more comfortable. A pillow is not a treatment, though: ongoing pain is worth discussing with a doctor or physiotherapist.
How often should I replace my pillow?
Every one to three years for most pillows. Fiber and down alternative pillows wear out soonest; latex, wool and buckwheat last longest. Your report includes a reminder you can add to your calendar.
Is the report really free?
Yes. The report is free, with no sign-up and no email address needed. You can print it, save it as a PDF, email it to yourself or keep it on your phone.
Do you keep my answers?
No. The Pillow Finder runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to this website. If you choose, your last result is saved on your own device so you can open it again, and you can remove it at any time.
Pillow Finder offers general comfort guidance, not medical advice. A pillow can make you more comfortable but is not a treatment for pain, snoring or any sleep condition. Ongoing pain, loud snoring or daytime tiredness are worth discussing with a doctor.