If you have a tall teen, you may be considering extra-long twin bed, also known as a twin XL bed. And, if he or she is going off to live in a college dorm, it’s likely there’s a twin XL bed there, too.

Though they’re the same width, there’s about a five inch difference in length between a twin and XL twin mattress. A twin mattress measures 38 to 39 inches wide by 74.5 inches long. An XL twin mattress measures about 38 to 39 inches wide by 79.5 to 80 inches long[M1] . With the extra five inches in length comes the necessity of buying twin bed XL sheets.

As with any bed sheet, you have plenty of fabrics, colors, and patterns to choose from. This shopping guide will help you select the twin XL sheets that you’ll feel most comfortable using, whether you or your child will use them at home or in a dorm room.

While shopping for twin bed XL sheets, there are three important considerations: fabric, weave, and finish.

Various fabrics offer a different sleep experience.

Jersey-knit sheets, also known as t-shirt sheets, are made from cotton or a cotton/synthetic blend and are soft and slightly stretchy. Jersey and flannel sheets are ideal if you want a warm bed.

Microfiber sheets, tightly woven polyester, are also soft, durable and easy to care for, and they typically come out of the dryer wrinkle-free.

Breathable, cotton percale sheets will give you a bed that feels smooth and crisp and keeps you cool while sleeping.

Cotton quality varies, which means you’ll need to consider thread count, weave, and staple length. Longer staples and higher thread counts generally result in a higher price.

The way a fabric is woven affects the way the fabric feels on your skin and on your bed. For example, a jersey sheet is knitted rather than woven, which is why it’s soft and stretchy. A cotton percale sheet is woven tightly, which gives the cotton its smooth finish. A sateen weave offers a heavy, lush, and silky feeling that is ideal for cold nights.

Sheets have finishes on them to keep them from losing shape or wrinkling and to create an aesthetically pleasing sheen on the fabric. These finishes are created with chemicals, however.  Some companies offer “pure-finish” sheets that have no traces of chemicals in the fabric. The result will be more wrinkly sheets, but if you’re sensitive to chemicals, it’s worth the consequence of having a few creases. Before putting new sheets on your bed,wash them first to remove as much excess dye as possible and to soften the sheets.

When comparing twin bed XL sheets, consider these features that’ll help you have a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Thread count is the number of threads in a square inch of fabric, ranging from about 200 to 1,000. Because of certain weaving procedures, thread counts can be slightly misleading. For example, a sheet with a high thread count can be woven with low-quality fibers, or a sheet with a medium thread count woven with quality fibers. For best softness, stay between 400 to 600 thread count. There’s no need to go sky-high on thread counts, as higher thread counts may cut down on the breathability of your sheets.

GSM stands for grams per square inch and applies to just about all fabrics. This is a particularly important measurement for microfiber sheets. Materials with higher GSMs will be heavier, thicker, more durable, and possibly plusher than materials with lower GSMs. A lower GSM number means the sheets may be lightweight, which some people prefer. For the best comfort, choose a sheet with a GSM of between 90 and 110. They will be comfortable and perfectly durable for the needs of most people.

Pillow top and taller XL twin bed mattresses need sheets labeled as “deep pocket.” If you try using a regular XL twin bed sheet on a thick mattress, you will likely struggle to fit the sheet on the bed. Deep pocket sheets typically fit mattresses measuring up to 17 inches deep. Extra-deep pocket sheets fit mattresses up to 22 inches deep.

Sheets made with long-staple cottons will pill less than fabrics with short-staple fibers. However, long-staple cottons may be pricier. All-cotton sheets in general may naturally shrink over many washes. This means that — deep-pocket or not — the edges may be a tighter fit over the mattress corners.

Ideally, a fitted sheet with elastic all the way around the edges will help the sheet stay securely on the bed. A fitted sheet with elastic only at the corners may come loose and be harder to get on the mattress in the first place.

Many people with twin beds use King-size pillows, which fit the mattress comfortably. Look for manufacturers who sell matching King-size pillow cases. In most cases, you will only receive one or two standard pillowcases with twin bed XL sheet sets.

Here are a few accessories you may want to consider picking up to make your sheets to make your bed as comfortable as possible:

• Bed risers: Malouf Bed Risers

Bed risers slip under the frame legs to give height to a twin bed, providing plenty of extra storage space beneath the bed. This set by Malouf provides from three to eight inches of extra height and is strong enough to support 1,200 pounds.

• Sheet fasteners: Foloda Bed Sheet Fasteners

Elastic holders clip corners of the fitted sheet together so the sheet stays on the bed. This set by Foloda is sturdy, easy to attach, and compatible with sheets of any size since they affix only to the corners. These can be particularly useful if you have a fluffy mattress topper that tends to strain your sheets a bit.

• Bed skirts: Nestl Bedding Pleated Bed Skirt

Twin XL bed skirts can give a room a finished look while hiding storage underneath the bed. This affordable skirt has a simple, classy look and a 14-inch drop to conceal items stored beneath your bed.

• Mattress joiner: EPHEDORA Bed Bridge

A joiner connects two twin XL mattresses together on top of the mattress so you won’t feel the crease or finished edges of the bed in the middle. This set by EPHEDORA includes not only a comfortable memory foam bridge but also a bed strap to help keep your mattresses in place.

• Mattress cover: SureGuard Mattress Protector Twin Extra Long

A waterproof twin XL mattress cover encases a dorm mattress to keep it clean from dust mites, bed bugs, dust, bacteria, liquids, and other allergens. This mattress cover is designed to be hypoallergenic and keep your mattress completely pristine.

• Box spring cover: Utopia Bedding Premium Box Spring Encasement

A twin XL box spring cover will offer the same protection as a mattress cover but is designed for your box spring, further reducing the potential buildup of allergens. This over by Utopia Bedding is made of polyester and is easily washable. It closes easily with a zipper and can fit box springs up to 10 inches deep.

Inexpensive: In the $14 to $25 range, you’ll find single fitted sheets, which are ideal for mixing-and-matching or for simply having an extra sheet on hand. At this cost, sheets are often made of microfiber. Some three-piece sets (fitted sheet, flat sheet, and pillowcase) are available in solid colors. 

Mid-range: In the $25 to $38 range are three-piece sets with elastic all around the fitted sheet. Sheets will generally measure as deep pockets. Better detailing of sheets will include piped edges and double seam stitching.  All materials and all thread counts can be found in this price range.

Expensive: From $38 up to $50, you can find bed-in-a-bag five-piece sets for dorm room twin XL mattresses. Sets often include a twin XL comforter, fitted sheet, flat sheet, standard pillowcase, and standard pillow sham.

• It’s best to know the depth of an XL twin mattress, especially if you are purchasing sheets for a dorm room. A standard mattress depth is seven to nine inches. A deep mattress measures from 10 to 15 inches. An extra-deep mattress has a depth of 16 to 22 inches. Most dorm room XL twin mattresses have depths of seven to eight inches, not including an extra topper.

• Sheets may feel stiff until you’ve washed them several times. That’s because color is added to the sheets after they’re woven. The color, or dye, needs a few rounds in the washing machine to soften up.

• If you’re buying twin XL sheets for a dorm dweller, consider that the bed may also be used as a workspace, dining table, and hang-out area, among other things. There’s not a lot of time to do laundry, either. Your best bet is to look for darker colored and busier patterned sheets and bedding to better hide inevitable stains and spots until laundry day.

For budget-minded parents sending kids off to school, we love the low-priced three-piece Bare Home Twin XL Sheet set. It’s a sturdy microfiber with a double-brushed finish for extra softness. This sheet comes in a large number of solid colors and resists wrinkles well. If you want to send  your student off with a bed-in-a-bag set, we love the AmazonBasics 5-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter in Twin XL. The colors and patterns are simple and elegant for a 100% polyester product, and it comes at a great price. Plus, customers love that it washes and wears pill-free.

Q. What’s more comfortable for one person: a twin XL mattress or a double/full bed?

A. A twin XL mattress is ideal for a small room because it offers more room for a taller person than cramming a double/full mattress into the space. A twin XL mattress is also a more budget-friendly option.

Q. Will a regular deep pocket twin sheet fit on an XL twin bed?

A. A deep pocket twin sheet with is still not long enough to properly fit an XL twin bed. If you opt to use a deep pocket sheet on an XL twin bed, you may stretch out the material, especially if it’s a soft jersey fabric, which will lose its shape.

Q. Can I use a full or queen-size comforter on an XL twin bed?

A. You can comfortably use a full or queen-size comforter on a raised XL twin bed. Raising a twin bed can offer you extra storage space underneath the bed, while making it ideal to accommodate the longer sides of a full or queen-size comforter. Note that a full-size comforter may only be the same length as a standard twin bedding while exceeding its width. A queen-size comforter will typically come in the same length as twin XL bedding, but it will leave excess fabric hanging on the sides.