Fabrics & materials
Porch Swing Cushions: Sizes, Measuring and Choosing the Right Fabric
How to measure a porch swing, seat vs seat-and-back sets, and the fabric and foam that last on a porch.
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A porch swing is one of the best seats in the house, until the cushion slides off, flattens or fades. Porch swings come in many sizes, and ready-made cushions rarely match yours exactly. Here is how to measure your swing, which cushions to order and which fabric and foam hold up on a porch.
Common porch swing sizes
Porch swings are usually sold by overall length, such as 4 ft, 5 ft or 6 ft. The seat inside the arms is shorter than the overall length, and it varies by brand, so always measure your own swing rather than ordering by the label. A twin-size swing bed is a different piece: it takes a mattress-style cushion; see daybed and swing bed cushions.
How to measure a porch swing
- Seat width: measure inside the arms, from one arm to the other.
- Seat depth: from the front edge of the seat to the back slats.
- Back height: if you want a back cushion, measure from the seat up to where the cushion should stop.
- Check for notches: if the arm posts or chain brackets cut into the seat, measure where they sit so the cushion can be notched around them.
Our cushion size and foam guide suggests a thickness for your swing.
Seat, back or a matching set?
- Seat cushion only: the most common choice, especially for swings with a comfortable slatted back.
- Seat and back set: made as two cushions in the same fabric, for a softer, more lounge-like swing.
- Add pillows: a couple of throw pillows or a bolster at each end finish the look.
Fabric and foam for a porch
Even on a covered porch, swing cushions see sun, humidity and wind-blown rain. Sunbrella resists fading and mildew. High Density foam is comfortable for everyday sitting; on an open porch, Dry Fast foam drains water and dries quickly. Ties in matching fabric keep the cushion from sliding as you swing.
Questions about porch swing cushions
How thick should a porch swing cushion be?
3″ to 4″ suits most swings: soft enough to sit on for a while, without raising the seat too much.
Can I order just the covers?
Yes. If your foam still holds its shape, order covers only made to its size.
What is the difference between a porch swing and a swing bed?
A porch swing is a bench seat; a swing bed is deep enough to lie on and takes a mattress-style cushion. See our swing beds.
Ready to order? Use the porch swing cushion builder, or browse porch swing cushions. Every cushion is cut to within ±0.5″ of your measurements, or we remake it free.
