How to choose a down pillow density

by David Smith

Down Pillow Densities

Here’s a quick lesson on the differences between the densities: soft, medium, firm, and extra firm. This applies to both traditional down pillows and euro pillows, which are often chosen based on their desired loft and support. I also like to talk about the densities in terms of thickness—how much down stuffing is in each shell. You’re going to see that I like to refer to soft as thinner, thin, thicker, and thickest for soft, medium, firm, and extra firm. Whether you're selecting a euro pillow for decorative purposes or sleeping support, understanding these densities can help you find the perfect match.

When you’re choosing a down pillow by density, look at the seam lines and notice how the seam lines are a little bit higher, because there's more down in each pillow. As we go from thin to thick, they progressively get thicker. Alternatively, if we're going from extra firm to soft, they're getting slightly thinner. Hopefully that helps you choose a down pillow density and exactly what the different densities do in terms of thickness.