Choosing the correct crib sheet size goes beyond aesthetics; it's crucial for your baby’s safety and comfort. As a mom of three, I’ve made my fair share of crib sheet mistakes.

In this guide, I will walk you through correct crib sheet dimensions and how to measure your crib mattress accurately so you can skip the headaches. I’ll also cover the common variations in crib mattress sizes so that you can make an informed, safe choice.

Crib Sheet Dimensions: Crib Types and Sizes

When shopping, you may come across adorable oval-shaped cribs, practical standard-sized cribs, and mini cribs that save space. Crib sheet sizes also vary, providing the right fit for each type of crib. Learn which crib sheet size will fit your crib type below:

Crib Sheet Size Chart

Standard Crib Size

A standard crib mattress measures 52 inches long by 28 inches wide. This follows the requirements set out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which requires full-size crib mattresses to measure a minimum of 27¼ inches wide and 51⅝ inches long. Typically, mattresses are four to six inches thick.

Best Sheet Size: The standard crib sheet size of 52 inches long by 28 inches wide fits all standard-sized cribs. The sheets should also have pockets deep enough to fit the mattress's thickness, which can range from 4 to 6 inches.

Browse standard size crib sheets with deep pockets here.

Ideal for: A standard crib is ideal for babies from infancy until they are about 3 years old. Sometimes, cribs convert into a toddler bed when your baby is ready for that change. My kids quickly became climbers, so we couldn’t keep them in the crib much past the age of one. We were glad for the convertible option so that we could continue to safely use the crib as a toddler bed.

Mini Crib Size

Mini cribs are smaller than standard cribs. Ideal for smaller nurseries, mini crib mattresses typically measure about 24 inches wide by 38 inches long.

Best Sheet Size: For mini cribs and Pack n Play mattresses, the best sheet size is 24 inches wide by 38 inches long, closely matching the dimensions of the mattress to ensure a secure and snug fit.

Ideal for: Because mini cribs measure 38 inches long, they are ideal for infants through about 2 years of age. Depending on how tall your baby is, they may need to transition out of the mini crib sooner.

Shop mini crib sheets and bedding sets here.

Pack n Play mattresses are the same size as mini crib mattresses. So, mini crib sheets fit both.

Bassinet Size

Typically, bassinets are about 30 inches long and 18 inches wide. Because they’re so small, bassinets are typically intended for babies until about 6 months of age. Bassinets come in a variety of sizes and different shapes including oval and rectangular.

Best Sheet Size: The best bassinet sheet size is typically around 30 inches long by 18 inches wide. But, given the diversity in bassinet sizes and shapes, it’s crucial to find sheets that fit your mattress's exact dimensions.

Ideal for: Bassinets are ideally suited for newborns and infants up to about 6 months of age. However, this will depend on how quickly your baby grows and the shape of your bassinet. I loved using a bassinet for my youngest. That way, I could move him around the house while looking after my older two children. It was also easy to room-share with the bassinet. Despite the benefits, he did grow out of it by about 6 months.

Toddler Bed Size

Many standard cribs convert into a toddler bed. You can also purchase a toddler bed separately. In either case, toddler bed mattresses are the same size as standard cribs. Standard crib sheets that measure 52 inches long by 28 inches wide fit toddler beds as well.

Tips for Choosing Crib Sheets That Fit

How do you ensure your crib sheets will fit correctly? Keep these tips in mind

Ensure a Snug Fit

Crib sheets should fit snugly over the mattress. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that caregivers use a fitted sheet in the crib. This is important to ensure the safety of your baby.

Safety First

During the first year of life, babies should sleep in an empty crib with only a fitted sheet. This can help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation and SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. As a mother, I was always worried my babies would be cold. So, I used swaddles and wearable blankets as safe-for-sleeping options.

Know Your Measurements

To ensure crib sheets fit well, be sure to measure your crib mattress before purchasing sheets. That way, you can have confidence you’re buying the right size. Also, look for sheets with deep pockets to accommodate the thickness of your baby’s mattress. Personally, once I found a crib sheet that I liked and knew fit well, I bought a few extra sets. That way, if the sheets got stained or worn over time, I knew I’d have another set that fit well.

Pro Tip: Choose fitted sheets with elastic that goes all around the edge, not only at the corners. This accounts for slight variations in mattress sizes and helps achieve a tighter fit. Plus, when elastic goes all around the edge of the crib sheet, it stays in place better.

How to Measure Your Crib Mattress

Measuring your crib mattress is simple. To do so:

1. Use a measuring tape to measure the mattress from head to toe in inches.
2. Then, measure the width of the mattress. This will give you the crib mattress dimensions.

When buying sheets, check that the crib sheet measurements match your mattress’s dimensions.

Crib Sheet Size FAQs

Do you still have questions about crib sheet sizes? See the answers to commonly asked questions below:

What size is a crib sheet?

Fitted crib sheet dimensions are 52 inches by 28 inches for a standard crib size. However, crib sheets are available in other sizes including bassinets, mini cribs, and Pack n Plays. When shopping, always check the sheet dimensions before purchasing.

Are crib sheets all the same size?

No, not all crib sheets are the same size. Because there are various sizes and shapes of cribs, there are different sizes of crib sheets. I learned this the hard way when I tried to use regular crib sheets in a Pack n Play. They were much too loose. I learned that mini crib sheets are a better fit for Pack n Plays.

Is a Toddler Bed Sheet the Same Size as a Crib Sheet?

Yes, toddler bed sheets are typically the same size as standard crib sheets. That said, it’s always best to be safe than sorry and measure the mattress before buying sheets.