What Are Fitted Sheets? How to Find Your Perfect Fit

Updated November 14, 2024

Table of Contents

Fitted Sheets vs. Flat Sheets
Do I Need a Fitted Sheet?
What You Should Know About Buying Fitted Sheets

A fitted sheet, also known as a bottom sheet, is the unsung hero of bedding. Not only does it snugly cover your mattress thanks to its elastic lining in the sheet’s corners or along its entire border, but it also provides customized comfort to sleepers who lay on top of it.

Fitted sheets are constructed to feel soft and smooth or crisp and cool, depending on your preferences. Cotton, linen, polyester, Tencel, and bamboo viscose are commonly used materials for fitted sheets.

A fitted sheet also serves as a barrier between you and your mattress, protecting it from dust and sweat. Washing your fitted sheets often can keep your bed fresher and cleaner, and nothing says comfort like climbing into bed on “clean sheet night” (yes, it’s a thing).

Fitted Sheets vs. Flat Sheets

The key difference between fitted and flat sheets is that fitted sheets have an elastic border. The elastic enables the sheet to cling to your mattress, keeping the sheet in place while you sleep.

Usually, you sleep on top of a fitted sheet and under a flat sheet, which lies across the entire mattress surface.

It is possible to cover your mattress with a flat sheet if you tuck the sheet tightly under the mattress. Used in this way, though, a flat sheet is more likely than a fitted sheet to come untucked and shift around during the night, and we all know how annoying that is.

On the other hand, you can’t use a fitted sheet as a flat sheet because the elastic causes the fabric to bunch up instead of lying uniformly over your bed. And folding fitted sheets can be, let’s just say, complicated, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Fitted Sheets vs. Flat Sheets – Quick Comparison

	Fitted Sheet	Flat Sheet
What It Is	A sheet with an elasticized border or corners	A fabric sheet that lies evenly across your bed
What It’s Good for	Covering your mattress to create a protective layer between your body and the mattress	Acting as a covering to provide you with a layer of warmth and comfort

Do I Need a Fitted Sheet?

You need to put a sheet over your mattress, but it technically doesn’t have to be a fitted sheet.

As an alternative to a fitted sheet, you can use a flat sheet with “hospital corners,” a method of neatly folding and tucking the excess fabric under the mattress.

However, for most people, a fitted sheet is the better option for covering a mattress for several reasons:

Convenience: A fitted sheet is easier to put on and ensures that the corners are properly aligned and snug.
Secure fit: A fitted sheet is more likely to stay in place and not bunch up, even if you toss and turn.
Smoother look: The elastic creates a tighter fit, which reduces wrinkling and makes your bed look more tidy and smooth.

What You Should Know About Buying Fitted Sheets

If you’re planning to buy new fitted sheets, you want to make sure that you get the best sheets for your needs.

Some of the most important considerations include the size and depth of your mattress, the sheet’s construction, and whether you wish to buy a complete sheet set or just a fitted sheet on its own.

Mattress size: A fitted sheet has specific dimensions that line up with the size of your mattress. Choosing the right size (twin, full, queen, king, etc.) is essential to making sure that your fitted sheet has a snug fit and won’t come loose.
Mattress profile: If your mattress is very tall, standard fitted sheets may not cover it properly and stay in place. In this situation, you should look for fitted sheets with deep pockets that are designed specifically for taller mattresses.
Material: Every fabric has certain benefits and drawbacks related to softness, smoothness, and breathability. For example, linen sheets and cotton sheets with a percale weave are known for a crisper and cooler feel. Consider your preferences so that you can select the best material for your bed sheets.
Thread count: For certain materials, like cotton, the thread count can provide an indication about quality and durability. While you shouldn’t treat thread count as the end-all, be-all, it may be a useful point of comparison.
Sheet sets and bundles: Most manufacturers sell a fitted sheet as part of a set that also includes a flat sheet and at least one pillowcase. Some brands offer a fitted sheet individually, but you’ll usually get the best value by purchasing a bedding bundle. That said, having an extra fitted sheet on hand can be a good strategy since that’s the piece of the set that has the most potential for wear and tear.

While not an all-inclusive list, these factors can help you narrow down your options and zero in on the best sheets for your mattress.

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