How to measure your sofa for a stretch cover

Find your size

1. Measure the full width

Measure across the widest part of the sofa, outside arm to outside arm. Follow its shape without pulling the tape tight.

2. Check the depth and height

Measure the seat from the front edge to the back cushion, and the back from the floor to the top. Most sofa covers are sized by width alone, but chair and recliner covers list a depth or height too: The Smooth Stretch Club Chair Cover takes seats up to 22.1 in deep, and The Ribbed Stretch Recliner Cover fits recliners 30-40 in deep and 40-50 in tall.

3. Sectional? Pick a side

Stand in front of the sofa, facing it. Long seat on your left: left-facing. On your right: right-facing. Then measure each section arm to arm: some sectional covers fit one section each, so an L-shaped sofa needs 2 covers.

Between two sizes

Take the larger one. The extra fabric tucks into the gaps around the seat.

Sofas that fit, and sofas that don't

Upholstered arms, a defined back and gaps between the seat and the frame give the fabric room to tuck in neatly. Recliners and wingback chairs take their own covers, in recliner covers and chair slipcovers. Exposed wooden arms and extra-deep sofas fall outside the standard shapes. Send us your measurements if you're not sure.

Getting an accurate arm measurement

Before you run your measuring tape across the sofa, take off any loose cushions, throws, or decorative bolsters. Your goal is to measure the frame itself rather than soft furnishings that sit on top.

Keep the tape measure level and straight across the widest point of the arms, from the far outer edge of the left arm to the far outer edge of the right arm. If the arms curve outwards, follow the contour over the top curve so you account for the extra fabric required. Measuring along the back of the sofa at arm height often makes it easier to keep the tape measure completely horizontal.

Selecting the right cover category

Once you note your arm-to-arm width, select the cover type matching your layout:

• For armchairs, browse our chair slipcovers: club and barrel chair covers fit chairs 27.6-31.5 in wide, and there are separate covers for tub chairs and wingback chairs.
• For straight sofas, choose our couch covers. The Printed Jacquard Stretch Couch Cover, for example, comes in single seat to 4 seater sizes for sofas 30-118 in wide.
• For sofas with a chaise, our sectional couch covers come for a left or right chaise, in sizes up to 142 in wide.
• For recliners, see our recliner covers.

You can also check our guide to stretch sofa covers compared to see how the available cover options differ before placing an order.

Checking your sofa tuck gaps

Many of our stretch covers come with foam sticks that hold the fabric inside the crevices of your sofa; the product page says if yours does. For these to work, your sofa must have practical recesses between the seat, backrest, and armrests.

Test these areas by sliding your hand down into the gaps around the cushions. You should be able to press your hand several centimeters deep. If your sofa cushions are fixed firmly in place with sealed seams and no gaps, the foam sticks will have nowhere to grip. For a detailed step-by-step look at positioning the fabric and foam sticks, read our guide on fitting and washing.

Trying the cover at home

Delivery costs $6.95, or nothing on orders of $49 or more. The delivery time for your country shows on each product page and at checkout.

When your package arrives, take out the cover, and the foam sticks if it has them, to test the fit on your frame. If you find the cover does not match your furniture measurements, you can request a return within 30 days of delivery, then send it back within 14 days. You pay the return shipping unless the item arrived faulty or incorrect. View our delivery and returns policy for full details.