A made bed lives or dies by one piece: the fitted sheet. It is the layer that hugs the mattress, and when it fits right, everything on top sits smooth and stays put all night. Get it wrong and you are tucking corners back in before bed. Here is what makes a good cotton fitted bed sheet, and how to choose one that actually stays on.

What makes a fitted sheet different

A fitted sheet has elastic sewn around its edges or corners, so it stretches over the mattress and grips underneath. That is the whole point: it stays put through the night instead of loosening and wrinkling the way a tucked flat sheet does. A good fitted sheet gives you that clean, smooth, hotel-tight surface with almost no effort, which is why most people build their bed around one.

Elasticated corners grip the mattress so the sheet stays smooth all night.

Why pocket depth matters most

The number one reason a fitted sheet slips off is not the size, it is the pocket depth. Pocket depth is how far the sheet's corners reach down the side of the mattress. If your mattress is thick, or you have added a topper, a shallow sheet simply cannot grip and keeps popping off. Measure your mattress from top to bottom, add a little for any topper, and match the depth. Our cotton fitted sheets come in 6, 8 and 10 inch pockets, so there is a fit for slim and deep mattresses alike.

Why cotton is the right fabric

Fabric decides how the sheet feels against your skin and how it copes with a warm climate. Breathable cotton keeps the bed from turning stuffy in the heat, stays soft wash after wash, and holds its shape and elastic well with everyday use. It is easy to launder and only gets more comfortable over time, which makes it the natural choice for a sheet you sleep on every single night.

How to choose the right one

• Match your size: Single, Double, Queen, King or Super King. If you are unsure of the exact inches, our cotton bed sheet size guide has the full chart.
• Pick your pocket depth: measure the mattress thickness and choose 6, 8 or 10 inches to clear it.
• Buy just the fitted piece if that is all you need: a standalone fitted sheet is the easy, no-fuss upgrade.

Our Pick

400 TC Egyptian Cotton Fitted Bed Sheet Set

Soft, breathable 100% Egyptian cotton with deep 6, 8 and 10 inch pockets, from Single to Super King. From ₹1,549

Shop the set

Browse the full range in our fitted bed sheet collection, or if your bed is an odd size, order one cut to your exact measurements. See how customisation works.

Fitted or flat?

Both have their place, and many people use them together: a fitted sheet on the mattress and a flat sheet on top. If you are weighing one against the other, our guide on the difference between flat and fitted sheets lays out the pros of each.

Caring for cotton fitted sheets

Machine wash cool, skip the fabric softener, and tumble dry low or line dry in the shade. Avoid very high heat, which is what wears out the elastic over time. Treated gently, the elastic keeps its grip and the cotton only gets softer with every wash.

FAQ

Why won't my fitted sheet stay on?

Almost always the pocket is too shallow for your mattress. Measure the mattress thickness (plus any topper) and choose a deeper pocket so the elastic can grip underneath.

Can I buy just a fitted sheet?

Yes. A standalone cotton fitted sheet is a simple upgrade if your flat sheet or set is otherwise fine.

How deep should the pocket be?

Match it to your mattress thickness. Slim mattresses suit a 6 inch pocket; thicker or pillow-top mattresses need 8 or 10 inches.

Is cotton good for a fitted sheet?

Yes. Cotton is breathable, soft and easy to wash, and it holds its shape and elastic well, which makes it ideal for a sheet used every day.