How to measure for replacement cushions
Ten minutes with a tape measure is all it takes. Here is exactly what to measure for chairs, sofas, benches and window seats, and the small mistakes to avoid.
Seat cushions: width, depth and thickness
Every seat cushion comes down to three numbers. Measure in inches or centimeters, pick one and stick with it, and round to the nearest quarter inch (or half centimeter).
- Width. Measure side to side across the widest part of the seat. If the chair has arms, measure inside them, from arm to arm.
- Depth. Measure front to back, from the front edge of the seat to the back of the frame. If a back cushion will sit there, measure to where the back cushion starts.
- Thickness. Measure the old cushion's side seam without pressing down on it. Dining chair pads are usually thin, while deep lounge seats are much thicker. If you want more or less cushion than you have now, this is the place to change it.
Measure the space, then check the old cushion. Old cushions flatten, shrink and stretch over the years. The frame tells you the space you need to fill. The old cushion tells you the thickness and shape you are used to. If the two disagree, trust the frame.
Back cushions: width and height
Back cushions need two numbers, plus thickness.
- Width: side to side, inside the arms if there are any.
- Height: from the top of the seat cushion up to where the back cushion should stop. Sit in the chair if you are unsure where that is.
- Thickness: measured the same way as the seat, on the side seam without pressing.
Shapes and extras
Write down the shape of each cushion and any extras it needs.
- Shape: rectangle, rounded corners, or round. These shapes are available for planning in the Inset studio. Manufacturing availability, including tapered (wider at the front) and T-shaped cushions, will need confirmation before ordering opens.
- Ties: do the old cushions tie to the chair? Note where the ties sit, usually at the two back corners.
- How many: count seat and back cushions separately. Four dining chairs might mean four seat cushions and no back cushions.
Benches, window seats and banquettes
Built-in seating is where measuring matters most, because walls are rarely perfectly square.
- Width in three places: along the back wall, through the middle, and across the front edge. Use the smallest of the three.
- Depth at both ends: measure front to back at the left end and the right end. Again, use the smaller number.
- Long seats: past about six feet, think about two or more sections instead of one long cushion. They are easier to move, clean and fit.
- Odd angles: if the seat is not a simple rectangle, trace it onto craft paper and measure the paper flat on the floor.
Five common mistakes
- Measuring only the old, squashed cushion. It is usually thinner and baggier than it started. Check it against the frame.
- Forgetting the frame's lip or arms. Measure the space the cushion actually sits in, not the outside of the chair.
- Mixing inches and centimeters. Pick one unit and write it next to every number.
- Assuming every chair is the same. Measure at least two chairs from a set. Small differences add up.
- Using a cloth sewing tape. It stretches. A metal tape measure gives the true number.
Measuring sheet
Fill in one row per cushion size. Unit: inches / centimeters
| Cushion (seat or back) | How many | Shape | Width | Depth or height | Thickness | Ties? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Got your numbers?
Start a project, preview fabrics on your furniture, and enter your measurements for a retail-based cushion estimate. Delivery and tax are not yet known. Ordering opens later.
Questions
Should I measure the old cushion or the chair?
Measure both. The frame tells you the space you need to fill, and the old cushion shows the thickness and shape you are used to. If they disagree, trust the frame.
Can I just send a photo instead of measuring?
A photo helps you choose a look, but it cannot give exact sizes. Custom cushions need real measurements from a tape measure.
Do I add extra inches for a snug fit?
Enter the finished size you want the cushion to be. You will see the exact dimensions and confirm them before anything is made.
My chairs look identical. Do I measure every one?
Measure at least two. Chairs from the same set can differ slightly. If they do, treat each size as its own cushion.
What if my cushion is an unusual shape?
The Inset studio lets you plan rectangular, rounded-corner and round cushions. Manufacturing availability, including tapered and T-shaped cushions, will need confirmation before ordering opens.