How to Measure Furniture for Slipcovers

Measuring your sofa is an essential part of purchasing a slipcover, whether you plan to have one custom-made to fit your sofa or are looking for the correct size. Measuring the sofa may seem complicated, but you can have it done in a short time as long as you know what parts of the sofa need to be measured. 

• Measure the length of your sofa by measuring from the arm on one side to the arm on the other. For an accurate measurement, you should be measuring the outside of the arms, not the inside because you will need a slipcover at least this length to fit.


• Measure the area of the sofa with seat cushions by starting the measuring tape at one end of the sofa below the sofa arms and at the widest point, all the way to the other side in the same spot underneath the sofa arms at the widest point. This is especially important for custom-made slipcovers or for those made of material without much stretch.


• Measure the height of the cushion area by starting the measuring tape from the floor below the sofa to the top of the seat cushion. This measurement determines the lower end height of the sofa slipcover.


• Measure the width and edge of the outside of your sofa for the sofa width. Start your measurement at the front of the sofa on the outside edge of one arm of the sofa, and bring it around to the back of the sofa. Continue bringing the measuring tape around the back of the sofa to the opposite sofa arm, and wrap it around the edge until you reach the front, outside edge of that sofa arm. You will need assistance with this measurement by having someone hold one end of the tape while you measure with the other.


• Measure the height of the sofa by starting the measuring tape at the floor below the sofa to the top, back edge of the sofa. When you look for the sofa slipcover, this measurement is the “full height” measurement.