Bed Skirt Height and Length Guide & Tips to Choose the Right Style for Your Room

A bed skirt is a piece of fabric that wraps around the bottom of a bed to cover the legs and other components of the bed. Bed skirts can give a more stylish appearance to a bed by covering the sides of the box spring or hiding any space under the bed that might be used as storage space. A flat sheet of fabric is spread out under the mattress and over the box spring with the decorative side pieces of the bed skirt falling to the floor around the bed. We'll discuss how to choose the right bed skirt height and length in this article.

Bed skirt heights range from 14 inches to 18  inches. Bed skirt lengths can go up to 80 inches and the width of a bed skirt is dependent on mattress size. A typical bed skirt for a twin-sized bed will be 39 inches wide, 75 inches long, and have a 15-inch drop, often pleated or ruffled. A bed skirt for a queen-sized bed will usually be 60 inches wide by 80 inches long with a 15-inch drop. A bed skirt for a king-sized bed will be 78 inches wide by 80 inches long with a 15-inch drop.

A bed skirt is also called a dust ruffle because it covers up a possibly dusty floor under the bed. It is usually a similar color as the quilt or comforter, pulling together a cohesive overall bedroom look. Read this Texas AM University pamphlet which details ways to improve the aesthetic and bedding choices for your bedroom. 

The bed skirt height and length will be determined by the size of the bed and the distance from the bed base to the floor. A King size bed will need a bed skirt that is wide enough to cover the width and hang over the sides of the bed. A bed that sits high off the floor will need a bed skirt with a longer drop length. Read our article on platform bed skirts to find out more.

A white ruffle bed skirt to add a welcoming feel to the bed. Source: Walmart.

How to Measure for a Bed Skirt 

Although there are standard sizes for beds, mattresses, and bed skirts, it is still important to measure your bed for the right size bed skirt. Even slight variations from standard sizes can make a difference in the final usability and appearance of the bed skirt, while non-standard bed sizes make an even bigger difference. Read our article on bed skirt alternatives for unique ways to dress up a bed frame. 

To measure a bed for a bed skirt, first, measure the width of the mattress, then measure the length of the mattress, and, finally, measure the drop from the bed base to the floor. The drop is the distance from the top of the box spring or bed frame, to the floor, that the bed skirt will cover.

Step 1. Measure the Width of the Mattress

Measuring the width of the mattress is a fairly easy task since it involves simply taking a tape measure and measuring how wide the mattress is. This is best done if the tape is placed across the top of the mattress. 

Step 2. Use a Tape Measure to Determine the Length of the Mattress

This involves placing the tape measure along one of the vertical sides of the mattress and measuring how long it is.

An extra few inches (up to four) are added to both the length and width of the mattress.

Step 3. Measure the Drop, which is the Height of the Bed from the Bottom of the Mattress to the Floor

This is the distance from the top of the box spring to the ground.This is usually around 15 to 16 inches. Though beds that are placed on risers will need to have a longer length, like this one from Amazon. 

To prevent yourself a lot of frustration, make sure to also read our 6 ways to make a bed skirt stay in place and prevent sliding too.

How Low Should a Bed Skirt Hang?

Once you have the measurements of the bed that you will be using the bed skirt on, you will need to then determine the actual measurements you will need for that bed skirt. The final measurements of the bed skirt or dust ruffle will affect both how attractive and how functional the bed skirt will be once it is added to the bed. Read our thorough guide on bed skirts for even more useful tips and tricks. 

A bed skirt usually hangs up to four inches below the bottom of the lowest component of the bed, the box spring or frame. This is because a bed skirt is supposed to just brush the floor. For a crisp and modern appearance, do not let the bed skirt fall to the floor and bunch up. For beds that are taller or lower, adjust the height appropriately so the bed skirt brushes the floor but doesn't bunch up.

Should a Bed Skirt Touch the Floor? 

For a modern look, choose a bed skirt height such that the bed-skirt touches the floor. Source Birch-Lane.

A bed skirt is supposed to touch the floor. It can either touch the floor lightly or drape over it and fall to the floor in puddles. When deciding how you want the bed skirt to fall, consider the rest of the room and who will be sleeping on the bed. If the bed skirt can pose any sort of tripping hazard, avoid using a bed skirt that will settle on the floor, particularly if the bedroom is used by children or the elderly. Read this article from the American Geriatrics Society, on reducing environmental hazards in the home of the elder, for deeper insight. 

A bed skirt should touch the floor in order to conceal any items tucked under the bed, the bed frame, or simply the sides of the bed. Its primary purpose is to give the room a more cohesive and polished look while hiding any imperfections. For a more traditional look, let the bed skirt bunch up on the floor. For a modern look, do not let the bed skirt bunch up on the floor.  

To be aesthetically pleasing, as well as to hide the bed frame and the sides of the mattress, the drop needs to be measured accurately. Read our bed skirt hacks article to learn about how to properly secure your bed skirt so that it stays in place. The drop should be measured from the bottom of the mattress since the bed skirt is actually placed above the box spring (or other bed support platform) and below the mattress. 

Make sure to also take a look at how to choose the right bed skirt shoe organizer to see how these dual-purpose bed skirts work.

Summary of Bed Skirt Drops

Bed Skirt Height and Length Guide

Below is a summary of bed skirt height and length in accordance with bed sizes:

If you have an adjustable bed, be sure to check out our article on choosing bed skirts for adjustable beds for appropriate options. Also, if you've ever wondered how a dust ruffle differs from a bed skirt, make sure to read our article comparing bed skirts vs dust ruffles to find out more.

How to Choose a Bed Skirt for a Low Profile Bed with a Mattress

A bed skirt for a low-profile mattress should be measured differently. Source: The Company Store.

If you have a low-profile bed (or any other unusual height measurement), it is even more important to take precise measurements and accurately calculate exactly how the bed skirt will fit and hang. 

To choose a bed skirt for a low profile bed, first measure the width and length of the top of the bed. Then, determine if the bed skirt needs to touch the floor, for a modern look, or settle on it, for a traditional look. For a modern look, measure the height of the bed up till the bottom of the mattress and find a bed skirt that matches this drop height. 

Make sure to also take a look at what bed skirt hardware do you need to install bed skirts to make sure that new bed skirt stays in place.

In a Nutshell

Bed skirts that are made of studier fabric with straight panels should be installed so that they sit slightly above or just touch the floor. Bed skirts with ruffles and flounces can be allowed to settle on the floor to create puddles of fabric for a more romantic look in the bedroom. For more ideas on bed skirt types and designs read our article on bed skirt styles. 

How to Measure Bed Skirt Height: Standard Measurements and Sizing Guide

Choosing the wrong bed skirt height is the most common mistake people make when buying one. A bed skirt that is too long pools on the floor and collects dust, while one that is too short looks incomplete and exposes the area under the bed. Here is how to measure correctly every time.

How to Measure Bed Skirt Drop: The "drop" is the distance from the top of the box spring or foundation to the floor. This is the only measurement that matters for bed skirt height. To measure it, place the end of a tape measure on top of your box spring (where the mattress sits) and extend it straight down to the floor. Do not measure at an angle. Measure in at least two spots because floors are not always level.

Standard Bed Skirt Drop Lengths:

14-inch drop: The most common size. Fits most standard box spring and bed frame combinations where the box spring sits on a metal frame.

15-inch drop: Fits slightly taller setups, such as when using a thicker bed frame or placing a box spring on a platform frame.

16–18 inch drop: For extra-tall beds, pillow-top foundations, or beds with risers. Less commonly available.

10–11 inch drop: For low-profile box springs (5 inches thick instead of the standard 9 inches) on a standard frame.

21-inch drop: For dorm beds, hospital beds, or beds with significant risers.

When the Drop Falls Between Sizes: If your measurement falls between standard sizes, round down. A bed skirt should hover 0.5–1 inch above the floor. Going too long creates a tripping hazard and looks sloppy. Going slightly short looks intentional and stays cleaner.

What If You Use a Platform Bed? Platform beds without a box spring typically need a shorter drop (7–10 inches). Some platform bed owners skip the bed skirt entirely and use alternatives like fitted sheet wraps or decorative panels.

For a Complete Bed Upgrade: The Saatva Classic ($1,779 Queen) works with any standard foundation height and is available in two profiles - 11.5-inch and 14.5-inch. Saatva offers a 365-night trial, lifetime warranty, and free white-glove delivery to ensure your entire sleep setup looks and feels perfect.

Frequently asked questions

What is a standard bed skirt height?

Standard bed skirt drop length is 14 inches, designed to fit box springs on frames with 8-10 inch clearance. Taller drops (15-18 inches) suit platform beds or storage bed frames with more height underneath.

How do you measure bed skirt drop length?

Measure from the top of your box spring (or platform) to the floor. Subtract 0.5 inches to keep the skirt from dragging. Add 1 inch if you want the skirt to pool slightly on the floor.

Can bed skirt length be adjusted?

Some bed skirts have adjustable elastic bands or Velcro attachments that let you customize drop length. For fixed-drop skirts, minor adjustments can be made with a sewing machine or by professional tailoring.