An average human adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a day. So, if you are going to spend one-third of your day in bed, it better be comfortable. 

Once you have chosen your mattress, you need to decide upon the top sheet. And while it may look like a trivial thing, it certainly is not. A misaligned or bundled-up sheet can be a big inconvenience, especially for people who are sensitive and light sleepers. 

But the question is: fitted sheet vs flat sheet – which one is better?

Read our comprehensive guide on fitted sheet vs flat sheet to see which one fits where. 

Flat sheets are just that – flat.

It is a rectangular piece of bedsheet that lays flat on the bed. The seam is stitched to avoid the threads unraveling during use. 

Instead of laying the sheet flat on the bed, it can also be tucked inside the corners of the mattress. However, it is still not very reliable and the sheet will not stay secured in place.

It can come untucked from the corners and tangle around your feet and legs when you sleep or sit on the bed. That’s not only inconvenient, it could be the reason behind insomnia for light sleepers. 

This has led many young people of the millennial generation to opt for beddings without flat or top sheets. 

However, 58% of Americans still believe it to be a necessity. They believe that without a top sheet, the bedding is incomplete. 

Whether people consider it essential or not, flat sheets have undeniable advantages. These include:

The flat sheet is the top layer of the bed, directly in contact with your body. Thus, it protects the main covering of the bed, be it a blanket, duvet, or comforter. 

Flat sheets also protect your bedding from sweat or any bodily discharge that may ooze out of infected skin,  like blood or pus from injuries. 

That’s why having one becomes absolutely necessary if you have an expensive bedding.

We all know that beds are excellent hosts to many parasites like fleas, mites, and bugs. Plus there is dust, bacteria, and other irritants that end up on our bed. They love you too much to let you sleep alone. 

The flat sheet is an excellent barrier between you and these irritants. It protects you from developing respiratory illnesses.

It is also beneficial for people suffering from skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema. Made from silk, linen, cotton, or other such soft materials, a flat sheet is gentle on the skin and repels moisture. When your bedsheet does not accumulate debris, it does not attract dust and dirt, keeping your skin dry and reducing the chances of flare-ups. 

Flat sheets help in controlling the temperature in both summer and winter. In summer it has a cooling effect while in winter it adds comfort by providing warmth. It protects the skin from the humid, hot nights of summer and the dust and irritants that may be present in your heavy blankets in winter. 

Now let’s dig deep into fitted sheets before drawing up a comparison. 

Some of the benefits of fitted sheets are:

Apart from the above-mentioned flat sheet and fitted sheet difference, there is one other difference in flat vs fitted sheet. 

It is in the application; flat sheet and fitted sheet are applied as the top-most sheet and the bottom sheet respectively. Thus, there is a vast difference in the benefits that these two have to offer. 

Some of the benefits of fitted sheets are:

As a mattress is the most expensive part of your bedding, it must also have the highest level of protection.  Fitted sheets tightly hug the mattress, protecting it from everyday wear and tear. These are stains that can be due to spills, food, liquid, bodily fluid, etc. 

On the contrary, you can increase its longevity by a year or two if cared for properly. So, in fitted vs flat sheets, a fitted sheet offers more protection for the mattress as compared to a flat sheet. 

While normally mattresses can last for 10 to 12 years, not taking proper care can reduce the life of the mattress to 7 to 9 years. 

Yet another major difference in bed sheet flat vs fitted is in usability. 

While a flat sheet is easily dislodged, the fitted sheet does not move from its place, leaving the surface closer to what it was before you crashed on it last night. 

Fitted sheets add to the comfort of your mattress. So, if your bed is comfortable, a fitted sheet will make it super comfortable, elevating your experience to another level. 

Just because it has added performance does not mean it will be difficult to clean. No need to visit the dry cleaners, just toss it in the machine along with your pillow, and flat sheets. 

So, if you are a fitted sheet lover, the above are a few points that you can put forward when facing your opponent who is all about why use a flat sheet instead of fitted.

Mattress Size	Flat Sheet Dimensions	Fitted Sheet Dimensions
Twin	66 x 96 inches	39 x 75 inches
Twin XL	66 x 96 inches	39 x 80 inches
Full	96 x 102 inches	54 x 75 inches
Queen	96 x 102 inches	60 x 80 inches
King	102 x 112 inches	76 x 80 inches
California King	102 x 112 inches	72 x 84 inches

The above section must have answered your question, what is a flat sheet vs fitted sheet. Now, if you are wondering what will be the difference in dimensions between a flat bed sheet vs fitted bed sheet or a queen fitted vs queen flat sheet, take a look below: 

It is simple.

While people are actively debating about which one is better, we must not forget that both could be used simultaneously. 

Sheets are available in tons of different fabrics, and the one you decide on will depend upon your preference, and budget. 

So, if you want a cooling one, try cotton, silk, bamboo, linen, and tencel. If you are aiming for cozy, go for a jersey or flannel. 

If you are on a tight budget, polyester and microfiber are your only option.

The weave not only defines the texture of your sheet but also how wrinkle-resistant it is going to be. It describes whether the fabric is knit or woven together. Popular weaves that you must go for are combed cotton, satin, and percale.

It refers to the vertical and horizontal threads that are present in one square inch of the fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer the material. 

But this also means the price will be high as well. 

A thread count of 200-300 is comfortable and affordable but if you are looking for luxury bed sheets, the count can go as high as 500. 

We are only fooling ourselves if we say price does not matter as most times, it is the price that defines what luxuries you can have. If you do not have too much money to spare, you will have to compromise on the fabric, weave, and thread count.

The ultimate decision boils down to what you like, whether you have sensitive skin, if you sleep hot, if you prefer organic materials, and if you want machine-washable bedding. Make sure you keep all your requirements in mind when choosing your bedding.

If you are new to fitted and flat sheets and are unsure which one you will prefer more, you can do a small test in the comfort of your home. 

If you do not have the sheets, borrow them from your friends, family, or neighbor, and do the following:

• For the first night, sleep without either of the sheets.
• For the second night, sleep with either of the sheets (say fitted sheet)
• The third night, sleep with the other sheet (flat sheet)
• For the last and final night of your experiment, sleep with both sheets. 

Decide which combination gave you the best sleep and comfort and go for that one. 

Yes, just fold the corners of your sheet around the mattress and repurpose it as a fitted sheet.

Take two flat sheets. Tuck the corners of the first one under the mattress and spread the second across the bed as a spread. 

Deep pocket fitted sheets are for thick mattresses where normal fitted sheets do not work. These sheets have a depth of 13 to 17 inches and snugly fit thick mattresses.

If your sheet is not the size of your mattress or if you have a thick mattress, the sheet will keep coming off. 

Sleeping under the flat sheet is okay too. You can use it between your bottom sheet and quilt, and even as a bottom sheet. 

It is mostly your preference, however, both have equally important roles to play. While a fitted sheet offers a hygienic approach to sleeping on a bare mattress, a flat sheet protects you from dust, dirt, bacteria, and parasites.

For a fitted sheet, you will have to measure the length, width, and height of your mattress and order a sheet that fits it perfectly. 

A flat sheet is larger than the mattress so it can be tucked under the mattress or hang on the sides. The size of the sheet will be bigger than the size of the bed.

Cotton is generally the prime choice for flat sheets as it is comfortable, soft, and durable. But you can also choose from satin, linen, and other warm fabrics like flannel. Keep your weather and preference in mind!