How to Measure a Dakimakura Cover Flat: A Fit Guide

Published by Dakimakura Store · Published October 29, 2026

Measuring a dakimakura cover sounds simple until you put it on a table and wonder where the ruler should start. Do you measure the printed area, the outside edge or the pillow inside? And what should you do when the fabric is wrinkled or slightly stretched?

A consistent flat measurement gives you a useful starting point for comparing a cover with a product listing or an inner pillow. This guide explains what to record, how to avoid common measurement mistakes and when to ask the store for help. A flat measurement is a practical reference, not a guarantee that every combination will fit identically.

What a flat cover measurement tells you

When a listing says 150 × 50 cm, it describes the nominal size used to select the cover. Your own measurement can help you identify an existing cover or compare it with an insert. The first number is normally the long dimension; the second is the width. Both matter when you choose a replacement.

Measure the cover itself separately from the inner pillow. A filled pillow has thickness and curvature, while an empty cover can lie flat. Those are different objects, so a single number taken around the middle of a filled pillow should not be treated as the flat cover width.

If you are choosing your first cover, the dakimakura size guide explains the common size choices. The steps here are for the moment when you already have a cover in hand and want to make a clear, repeatable note of its dimensions.

Prepare the cover and measuring space

Choose a clean, dry surface long enough to support the cover without letting one end hang down. A floor, bed or large table can work if you can see both ends and keep the fabric from bunching. Clear away sharp objects that might catch the print or zipper.

Remove the inner pillow before measuring the cover. Lay the empty cover out with the long edges roughly straight and smooth obvious folds gently with your hands. Do not pull hard to make it longer or wider. Stretch fabric can change shape under tension, so pulling introduces a measurement that may be difficult to reproduce.

Use a flexible tape measure with centimeter markings. A straight ruler can work if you mark each section carefully, but moving it repeatedly creates more opportunities for gaps or overlap. Have a note or phone ready so you can record both dimensions and the method you used.

Measure length and width in a consistent way

1. Lay the empty cover flat, with its edges supported and the fabric relaxed.
2. Measure the long dimension from one outer edge to the opposite outer edge, following a straight line.
3. Measure across the short dimension at the widest relaxed part, again from outer edge to outer edge.
4. Repeat each measurement in another nearby position and write down any noticeable difference.
5. Record the units, whether the cover was empty, and whether your measurement included the outer seams.

For example, write “approximately 150 cm long and 50 cm wide, measured empty and flat, outer edge to outer edge.” If you need to compare this with a store’s stated size, send the complete note rather than just “150.” The store can then clarify how the listing’s dimensions should be interpreted.

A cover might not form a perfect rectangle when laid down. Keep your tape straight instead of following every ripple, and take a second measurement if the edges curve. If the two readings differ substantially, photograph the measuring setup for your own reference and ask for advice before ordering a different size.

Measure the insert as a separate step

If you already own an inner pillow, check its labeled dimensions first. The label or original order details are often more useful for matching the nominal size than a tape wrapped tightly around a filled pillow. If the label is missing, lay the pillow on a flat surface and measure it gently from end to end and across its width without compressing it.

Record that these are measurements of a filled insert, not an empty cover. The pillow’s fullness can affect how the tape sits, and a compressible insert can produce a different reading depending on how firmly it is pressed. The goal is to describe what you have, not to force it to match a size on a chart.

If you need an insert, compare the sizes offered on the inner pillow category with the exact cover option. The standard body pillow insert listing offers several sizes; review its current selector and match both dimensions before adding it to your cart.

Compare your notes with a real product listing

Product pages are useful examples of why you should verify the selector for each design. The Genshin Impact Amber cover lists sizes from 100 × 34 cm through 180 × 60 cm. The Blue Archive Jomae Saori cover lists options beginning at 120 × 40 cm. Availability and selectable combinations should be checked on each page when you order.

For a 150 × 50 cm insert, start by checking whether the cover has a 150 × 50 cm option. If you measure an older cover and get a result close to that size, use your notes to compare it with the listing, but do not assume every small difference means the wrong product. Ask the store how the specific cover is measured if the difference would affect your decision.

Avoid these measurement mix-ups

Measuring only the printed image

The artwork may not extend to the exact outer edge. A measurement between two visual features in the print does not describe the full cover footprint. Use the cover edges for your recorded size, then use the images to decide whether you like the design.

Stretching the cover to reach a target number

Some fabrics have more give than others. Pulling on a cover until the tape reaches a familiar size makes the result less useful. Relax the fabric, flatten wrinkles without tension and measure again. If the result changes depending on how you pull, note that rather than choosing the largest number.

Mixing centimeters and inches

Write the unit next to each measurement. If your tape uses inches, note the original reading and convert it carefully before comparing a centimeter-based selector. Our centimeter and inch size guide can help you check the conversion. Avoid rounding one dimension so aggressively that two different width options look identical.

Forgetting the cover construction

Overall length and width are not the only relevant details for a special construction. A cover with a distinct opening or detachable components may require a specific compatible insert or part. Check the individual listing and ask about compatibility when the construction is unclear, rather than assuming that dimensions alone answer every fit question.

What to send when asking for fit help

A concise message is easier to answer than “Will this fit?” Include the product URL or SKU, the cover size you want to select, and the labeled or measured size of your inner pillow. Say whether your cover measurements were taken empty and flat, and mention any special construction or uncertainty about the opening.

If you are asking about a cover you already own, include both length and width, the units and where you placed the tape. If a photo is needed, keep the tape and the full measured section visible. Do not include personal information in the photo. This gives the store enough context to understand the question without guessing what you measured.

Frequently asked questions

Should I measure the cover while the pillow is inside?

For a flat cover measurement, remove the insert first. Measure the insert separately and label each set of numbers so the two methods are not confused.

Should I include the seams?

Use a consistent edge-to-edge method and record that you included the outer seams. When comparing against a particular listing, ask how its stated size is measured if the distinction matters.

Is length enough to select a cover?

No. Compare both length and width with the insert, and check whether the cover’s construction requires a particular type of pillow.

What if my measurement falls between two listed sizes?

Measure again without stretching or compressing the material. Check any label or previous order record, then send your measurements and the intended product link to the store before choosing.

Once you have a reliable pair of measurements, browse the anime dakimakura cover collection, check the exact size and fabric options on your preferred design, and review the configuration in your cart.