Kuseno Buckwheat Hull Pillows come in four main sizes so you can choose the one that fits your body and your sleep style. The smallest size is the Standard Japanese pillow (14 x 20) and the largest is the Standard North American pillow (20 x 26). The two middle sizes, 16 x 22 and 18 x 24, offer comfortable options for people who fall between those ranges.
Each size has its own feel. A larger pillow gives the hulls more room to move, which can make the pillow feel slightly softer even when the height is the same. A smaller pillow feels more compact and supportive because the hulls have less space to spread out.
To put this into perspective, the maximum amount of hulls you can fit in a small 14 x 20 pillow is 6 pounds. It will be very full, very round and 4 1/2 inches tall! But if you put 6 pounds of hulls into the extra large 20 x 26 pillow it will only be 2 inches tall. Not only that but because the hulls have more room to move in the extra large pillow, it's quite possible that you'll "bottom out" before they have a chance to lock into place.
The amount of fill you choose affects the height of the pillow. A fuller pillow will be taller and feel firmer. A pillow with less fill will be lower, but it will not feel softer. If you want a softer feel, you can place a thin, flat pillow or folded towel inside your pillowcase on top of your buckwheat pillow.
Choosing the right size depends on your body and your mattress. If you have a soft or pillow‑top mattress, your body sinks lower and you may need a thinner buckwheat pillow. A firm mattress keeps your body higher, so a thicker pillow is often more comfortable.
Your shoulder width is one of the best guides especially if you're a side sleeper. If you wear a small to medium shirt, the 14 x 20 size is usually a great fit. If you wear a medium to extra large shirt, the 16 x 22 or 18 x 24 sizes offer better support. The 20 x 26 size is best for people with broad shoulders who need extra height to keep their head level.
Side sleepers should consider the height difference from their shoulder to their ear to keep their head aligned with their spine. Back sleepers need a thinner pillow and tummy sleepers almost need no pillow at all perhaps just something under their hips.
For you data geeks out there, I mapped out the thickness of each pillow per pound of buckwheat hulls and charted it. Through extensive research I determined that the optimum amount of pillow fill is 65% of the maximum weight. This allows the hulls enough room to move to shape to your head but not too much room as they're still constrained by the fabric of the pillow. I drew a horizontal line to represent this 65% of the maximum weight.
When you go to purchase a pillow on our site, this is the default fill amount. Individual needs vary so you have full control of your pillow weight when you order.
