How to Measure for Perfectly Fitted Foam Cushions.

📏 Why Accurate Measuring Matters (what happens if your measurements are wrong?)

A perfect fit starts with accurate measurements. Even a few millimetres off can make the difference between a cushion that sits neatly in its cover and one that bulges, wrinkles, or looks baggy.

Good measuring means:

Snug fit with no gaps or bunching.
Even wear and longer foam life.
A better-looking, more comfortable seat.

Not a fan of measuring? Our Cushion Refill Service lets you send us your covers — we’ll measure, cut, and fit the foam for you.

🛠 What You’ll Need (what’s the best way to get accurate measurements?)

A rigid tape measure (fabric ones stretch).
A flat work surface.
Pen and paper (or our downloadable Measuring Sheet PDF).
Your cushion cover or old foam insert.

1️⃣ Measuring from the Cushion Cover (should I measure the cover or the old foam?)

Remove the old insert completely.
Lay the cover flat on a table — no stretching.
Measure seam-to-seam for width and depth.
Measure thickness at the highest point of the side panel (border).

💡 Important: The border is not always the finished foam thickness. See “The Border Rule” below.

🔍 The Border Rule – Foam vs Dacron (how much thickness does Dacron add?)

If you’re replacing old foam, the border measurement is a guide — but you’ve got choices.

When the border is 10 cm (4″) or more:

Foam matches border + 12 oz Dacron – Looks rounded and plump, but with less foam volume so support is softer.
Slightly deeper foam, no Dacron – 12.5 cm (5″) foam gives more volume and firmer support, but with a squarer finish.

💡 Borders under 10 cm usually work better with the Dacron method for a smooth fit.

⚠ Swapping Fibre or Feather for Foam (why doesn’t foam fit the same as feather cushions?)

Feather and fibre cushions squash into spaces — foam won’t.
If your cover width is 30″ on a two-seater, you’d expect a 60″ arm gap. In reality, it might be less. Fine for soft fills, but foam needs the full space.
If in doubt, contact us for advice before ordering.

2️⃣ Measuring from the Old Foam Insert (can I just copy the old insert size?)

Place foam on a flat surface — no compression.
Measure the widest width and depth.
Add a couple of mm if edges have pulled in over time.

3️⃣ Measuring Irregular Shapes (how do you measure domed or curved cushions?)

Start with the widest width and deepest depth.
Break the shape into smaller sections and measure each.
For curves/angles, make a paper template for precision.
Compare to our Foam Shapes Guide before ordering.

4️⃣ Allowances for a Snug Fit (should foam be cut bigger or smaller than the cover?)

Foam: Subtract 5 mm from width and depth for easier fitting.
Fibre or Feather: Use exact measurements.

🚫 Common Measuring Mistakes (what causes most wrong cushion orders?)

Guessing without a tape measure.
Measuring with the cushion still in the cover.
Ignoring warped shapes.
Forgetting to measure thickness accurately.

✅ Ready to Order? (how to order your new cushions quickly and correctly)

Enter your sizes in our Foam Cut to Size Configurator.
Choose your foam grade, firmness, and extras like Dacron wrap or stockinette.
Or send us your covers for the hassle-free Cushion Refill Service.