How to Measure Your Sofa for a Custom-Made Slipcover

Many guides out there suggest that you only need the width, depth, and height of your sofa for a custom slipcover. Unfortunately, that approach leads to a universal slipcover—usually made of stretchy fabric that completely engulfs the sofa, sacrificing the sleek, tailored look.

For a truly custom fit, we’ll need to take a few more precise measurements. While this may seem daunting at first, we’ve broken it down step by step in this guide so you can get your measurements right every time—ensuring a perfect fit for your slipcover.

Understanding and Identifying Your Sofa

"The curvier the sofa, the more measurements you'll need"—that’s my go-to advice whenever someone asks how to measure a sofa.

Before diving into measurements, it's crucial to identify what type of sofa you have. The more curves, armrests, or detachable cushions it has, the more details you’ll need to capture to ensure a snug, tailored slipcover.

Knowing your sofa’s structure—whether it’s a boxy IKEA Karlstad, a sleek Söderhamn, or a curvy Färlöv—helps determine how many extra measurements are necessary for that perfect fit.

These Three Parts Will Determine the Extra Dimensions Needed:

1. Armrests:

   • Are they wide and boxy or rounded and sloped?
   • Measure their width, height, and depth separately to ensure a precise fit.

2. Backrest & Seat Depth:

   • Some sofas have a continuous backrest, while others have individual back cushions.
   • Measure the height from the seat to the top of the backrest and the depth from the front edge to the back.

3. Base & Legs:

   • If your sofa has exposed legs, a snug fit or short-skirted cover might work best.
   • For fully covered bases, long skirts or pleated options may be more suitable.

Once you’ve identified these elements, you’ll have a clearer idea of the extra dimensions needed for a custom slipcover that fits like a glove!

Key Factors for Measuring Your Sofa Accurately

Seating Frame:

• Some seating frames extend beyond the depth of the armrests, creating an L-shape.
• If your sofa has L-shaped seat cushions, make sure to measure the extended depth properly for a precise fit.

Armrest Shape:

Maximum backrest width between arms; Starting point at 0

Maximum backrest width between arms ending at 200cm

Keeping measurements straight and precise is key! While you don’t need a set square, make sure the tape measure isn’t slanted. Having a second pair of eyes can help double-check accuracy for a perfect slipcover fit.


Inner seating width (A2)

Backrest height (A3)

Got it! After measuring the back frame, move on to the inner portion of the armrests—often labeled as B1 or B2 in Comfort Works' measurement system. These details ensure a precise, snug fit for your custom slipcover!


Inner seating depth (B1)

Upper armrest depth (B2)

Upper armrest depth ending at 82cm

Now, measure the front portion of the armrests, focusing on width and height. Be sure to measure from seam to seam for accuracy, keeping your tape straight to avoid any slanted measurements!



Armrest width (C1)




Armrest height (C3)



Maximum armrest width (C2)



Seating base height (C4)

Exactly! The process flows naturally—starting from the top of the frame, moving down the sides, and finally measuring the bottom. This step-by-step approach ensures accuracy and helps your custom slipcover achieve that perfect, tailored fit.


Maximum base width (D)

For a square arm sofa, the width of the sofa base is typically the last measurement. But for round and wedge arm sofas, you’ll need to take two additional measurements along the armrest, as shown below. These extra steps are crucial for a flawless custom fit!


Inner armrest height (E1)


Inner armrest/backrest length (E2)

Once you've finished measuring the front, transitioning to the side is a breeze. The front usually requires the most measurements, so the side and back will be much more straightforward. For sofas with round arms and a high back, you’ll only need a few extra measurements—typically no more than four—making it a quick process!


Upper sofa depth (G1)


Lower sofa depth (G2)

Rear sofa height (H2)

Here are two of the simplest measurements you'll need for the side of your sofa:

1. Backrest depth (F): This is the depth of the backrest from the top to where it meets the seat. It's a key measurement for ensuring the slipcover fits well around the back of the sofa.

2. Sofa leg height (H3): This measurement is essential if you want the slipcover to sit above the floor and highlight the legs of the sofa. If you're opting for a long-skirt style, you can skip this measurement, as the slipcover will cover the legs entirely, and you'll only need the vertical measurements down to the floor.

Backrest depth (F)


Sofa leg height (H3)

If you're ever unsure about which measurements to take or what style you're aiming for, don't hesitate to reach out! Let us know the style or look you're going for, and we'll send you the corresponding form to make the process easier and ensure a perfect fit for your custom slipcover. We've got you covered!

Once you've completed the side and front measurements, the back will be a breeze. Typically, you'll just need to measure the height from the seat to the top of the backrest, and then the width across the back. This should take no more than two minutes, and you'll have the final measurements ready to go!


Upper sofa back width (L1)


Lower sofa back width (L2)


Maximum sofa back height (J1)

Exactly! Consistency is key when measuring—double-checking that the base width and lower sofa base measurements align can save you time in the long run. And yes, if there's any discrepancy, especially in the tapering, we’ll be sure to point it out and adjust accordingly.

Using the measuring tape directly on the sofa will give you that more precise, upholstered look. For a more relaxed, skirted style, ensuring vertical measurements are perpendicular to the floor will keep everything flowing smoothly. Just follow these tips, and you'll be set for a perfect fit!

Exactly! For cushion measurements, keep it simple if the cushion is a perfect box. But for cushions that taper or have uneven dimensions, measuring the minimum and maximum widths, depths, and heights will give you the most accurate results. This ensures the cover fits snugly, even with those tapered corners or sides.

So, for a tapered cushion, you would measure the narrowest part, then the widest part, and do the same for the depth and height to get the complete picture. This way, the slipcover will fit perfectly, no matter the shape!


Width / depth / height


Thickness


Circumference to zipper

Exactly! If your cushion has no seam and only a zipper, the best way to measure is by going around the entire cushion to measure its circumference. This helps ensure the slipcover will fit snugly around the cushion, especially in the absence of clear seam lines to guide your measurements.

While it's not super common, if you run into this situation, don't worry! Just reach out, and we'll walk you through how to get the right measurements so the cover fits perfectly.

That's a wrap! With these simple steps, measuring your sofa should only take about 30 minutes. Once you've submitted your measurement form, we'll review it and make sure everything looks good. If we find any issues or discrepancies, we’ll reach out to guide you through the process.

If this is your first time getting a custom slipcover, check out our full guide on how to get one made from scratch. We’re here to help every step of the way to make sure your sofa looks as good as new!