A throw does two jobs: it keeps you warm, and it makes a sofa or bed look finished. Most disappointments come from size. Too small and it looks like a scarf. Too big and it swallows the sofa and trails on the floor. The good news is that the right size is just geometry, and you can see it before you buy anything.
Ask first whether you want it to wrap around you, to decorate, or both. A wrapping throw needs enough length to reach from your shoulders to your feet when you are curled up. A decorative throw only has to look right when it is draped over the back of a sofa, folded over an arm or laid across the foot of a bed. Many people want both, and that is fine: pick the size for the job you do most.
Makers use their own sizes, so always read the label, but throws roughly fall into four groups. These are typical ranges, not a standard.
| Group | Typical size (cm) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 60 × 80 to 75 × 100 | A chair back, a lap, a pet |
| Medium | 125 × 150 to 150 × 200 | A sofa, an armchair, the foot of a bed |
| Large | 180 × 200 to 180 × 220 | A big sofa, a corner sofa, a double bed |
| Oversized | 230 × 250 and up | Large sectionals, king-size beds, pooling on the floor on purpose |
Enter the width of your sofa back (or your bed), choose a throw size, then drag the throw around, or use the sliders. The numbers underneath update as you go.
For a throw draped over the back of a sofa, there is no single right width, only three looks. Edge to edge (about as wide as the back) is the tidy one. Off-centre, covering about half to three-quarters of the back and sitting towards one arm, is the relaxed one. Narrow (well under half) looks like an accent, which is fine on an armchair but thin on a three-seater.
The short side matters too. When you hang a throw over the back, that side is split between the front and the back of the sofa. A 150 cm short side gives roughly 75 cm on each side, which is more than enough to reach the seat. If you want a throw you can actually pull over your legs, the long side should be at least as long as you are, so a 200 cm side is a safe bet for most adults.
At the foot of a bed, the long side runs across the bed. If it is about the width of the mattress or a little wider, it looks deliberate. A much wider one hangs down both sides and works as an extra cover. Folding it in half lengthways gives a neat band that stays put and still keeps your feet warm. A throw is not a duvet, so for sleeping warm, choose bedding for that and use the throw for looks and for the evening.
Measure the width of your sofa back, from outer arm to outer arm, and the width of your mattress with a tape measure. Write the numbers down, then enter them in the planner above. Remember that a soft throw drapes, so the size on the label is the flat size, and fabric can shrink a little in the wash, so follow the care label. If a throw is sold only in one size, compare it to the numbers you have, not to the photo.
A big sectional or a king-size bed can take an oversized throw. A small armchair often looks best with a small one. A throw that is a little too short can be folded or layered with a second one for a mix of textures. And if you already own a blanket that is close to the right size, try it in the planner first: cosy does not have to mean buying something new. A second-hand or hand-me-down throw works just as well, as long as it is clean and you like the feel of it.