Dakimakura Size Guide: Which Body Pillow Size Should You Pick?

The short answer is that most dakimakura covers are made in one of two standard lengths, about 150 cm or about 160 cm, both roughly 50 cm wide. If you are an average adult who wants a pillow that reaches from shoulder to knee or beyond, the 160 cm option is usually the safer pick. If you want something a little easier to store and handle, or you are buying for a smaller bed, the 150 cm size works just as well for most fans.

Once you know your size, the fun part is choosing the design. Whether you are drawn to a specific character or you just want to browse what is popular right now, you can look through the best selling covers or scroll our full catalog to see how sizing plays out across different prints, then come back here if you want the details on the inner pillow insert that goes underneath.

The Two Standard Dakimakura Sizes

Dakimakura, the long body pillows associated with anime fandom, are almost always sold in two lengths. The shorter size sits around 150 cm long and 50 cm wide. The longer size sits around 160 cm long and 50 cm wide. Both are printed on both sides, usually with a different pose or outfit on the front and back, so you get two pieces of vivid artwork on one cover.

The width barely changes between the two sizes. What changes is length, and that ten centimeter difference matters more than it sounds like once the pillow is actually in your arms.

Inner Pillow vs Cover: What Is the Difference

This is the part that trips up a lot of first time buyers. The printed fabric you see online, the one with your favorite character on it, is the cover. It has a zipper along one edge and it is not stuffed with anything on its own. To actually use it as a pillow, you need to slide an inner pillow insert inside it.

Think of the cover like a pillowcase and the insert like the pillow itself. Buying only the cover means you have beautiful artwork with nothing to give it shape. Buying the matching insert means the cover fills out properly, holds its form, and feels like an actual pillow instead of a flat sheet of fabric.

If you already own a body pillow insert from a previous order, you likely only need a new cover for your next character. If this is your first dakimakura, plan on getting both.

Which Size Suits You Best

Sizing usually comes down to three things: your height, how you like to sleep with a pillow, and how much space you have.

• If you are taller than average or you like a pillow that runs the full length of your body, the 160 cm size gives you more room to wrap your arms and legs around it.
• If you are shorter, share a bed, or just prefer a more compact pillow, the 150 cm size is easier to tuck beside you without taking over the whole mattress.
• If you plan to travel with it, prop it up as a display piece, or store it often, the smaller size folds and stores a little more easily.

Neither size is objectively better. It really is a matter of how you personally like to hug a pillow at night.

How to Measure Your Bed and Space

Before you buy, take a quick measurement of your bed. Lay a tape measure diagonally from one corner toward the opposite side, or simply measure the length of your mattress. If your bed is a twin or a full size, either dakimakura size will usually fit lengthwise with room to spare. If you sleep on a smaller frame or plan to keep the pillow upright against a wall or shelf when not in use, double check the vertical space too.

It also helps to picture the pillow next to something familiar, like a yardstick or a door frame, since online product photos can make length hard to judge at a glance.

Building Out Your Collection

Once you have your size figured out, choosing which character to bring home is the easy part. Fans who love the popular shonen series often start with the My Hero Academia lineup, while gacha and open world fans tend to gravitate toward Genshin Impact designs. If you are more into the darker, atmospheric shows, the Demon Slayer covers are consistently popular too.

Not sure whether you lean toward a waifu or a husbando pillow first? There is no wrong answer, and plenty of collectors end up with both once they settle on a size that feels right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard dakimakura size?

Most dakimakura covers come in two standard sizes, about 150 cm or about 160 cm long, and roughly 50 cm wide. The 160 cm option suits taller fans or anyone who wants a full length hugging pillow, while the 150 cm option is more compact and easier to store.

Do I need to buy the inner pillow separately?

Yes, in most cases. The printed cover is fabric only and needs an inner pillow insert to give it shape. If you already have an insert from a past order, you can reuse it with any new cover that matches its size.

Can I put a dakimakura cover on a regular body pillow insert?

You can, as long as the lengths are close. A cover made for a 160 cm insert will look a little loose on a shorter insert, and a cover made for a 150 cm insert will not fully close over a longer one, so matching sizes gives the best fit.

Want more sizing and care details before your next order? Check out the full dakimakura guide and our tips on caring for your cover once it arrives.

Anime Body Pillow, dakimakura covers for anime fans, online only.