Pillowise Pillow: A Fitted Memory Foam Pillow Measured by Your Provider
A Pillowise pillow is a memory foam pillow fitted to your body. A licensed provider (a chiropractor, physical therapist or licensed massage therapist) takes three measurements, and the Pillowise algorithm picks one of 7 color-coded sizes. It is sold only through providers, and the measurement is free.
Key takeaways
- Pillowise combines shoulder width, neck circumference and neck height with your sleeping position and mattress firmness to choose one of 7 sizes.
- You can buy it only through licensed healthcare providers in the US, not in retail stores, on Amazon or in a consumer webshop. The measurement is free at every provider.
- A 30-day comfort guarantee and a 5-year warranty on material and production faults come with the pillow.
What is a Pillowise pillow?
It is a pillow chosen for you, not taken off a shelf. The idea comes from Thijs van der Hilst, a Dutch physiotherapist who started measuring his clients to choose their pillow in 2003. Pillowise was founded in 2013 together with United Comfort Industries. You can read the full background in our story.
The main facts at a glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 7 sizes, color-coded |
| Standard pillow | 22 x 14 in |
| Core | 100% premium Dutch memory foam, non-toxic and latex-free, made in the Netherlands |
| Cover | Tencel top layer on polyester (40% Tencel / 60% polyester), removable |
| Washing | Cover is machine washable at 104°F (40°C) |
| Travel pillow | Pillow ToGo, 13.5 x 14 in, same support, with a compact travel bag |
The memory foam adapts quickly and stays soft at lower temperatures. You can see the range on our pillows page.
Why does pillow height matter?
Many stock pillows come in a limited range of heights. Bodies are not that uniform. A side sleeper with broad shoulders needs more height under the head than a side sleeper with narrow shoulders. A back sleeper needs less height than either. If the pillow is too high or too low, the neck tilts for hours.
We compare it to a shoe size: one size cannot fit everyone. We explain the reasoning in more detail in why a fitted pillow makes sense.
The research is early. In a pilot EMG study of 15 adults, a pillow height matched to shoulder width produced the lowest neck and shoulder muscle activity during side sleeping (Jiao et al., 2025). The sample is small, and the study shows an association with muscle activity. It does not show that a fitted pillow treats neck or shoulder pain. We summarize it in our post on side sleeping, shoulder width and pillow height.
How does Pillowise choose my size?
The provider takes three measurements:
- Shoulder width. This sets how much space the pillow has to fill when you sleep on your side.
- Neck circumference. Measured at C4/C5, below the Adam's apple for men.
- Neck height. Measured from the mastoid process diagonally to the outer edge of the acromion.
Two more inputs complete the picture: the position in which you fall asleep (side, back or stomach) and your mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm). If you do not know your sleeping position, we use side. If you do not know your mattress firmness, we use medium. That also applies to memory foam mattresses and hotel beds.
The algorithm combines these five factors and picks one of 7 sizes. Two people with very different bodies can end up with the same size. The system indicates the right size for about 95% of people. Weight is not part of the calculation. A heavier person sinks deeper into the mattress and may need a lower pillow, so the provider checks your position on the pillow and adjusts if needed, for example during pregnancy. Ideally a second person takes the measurements, which is one reason we recommend a provider over measuring alone.
Want to see the process step by step? Read what happens in a pillow fitting. For advice on position and mattress, see how to choose a pillow based on your sleep position and mattress. You can also try our pillow height calculator for an indication.
How do I care for the pillow?
Take the cover off and machine wash it at 104°F (40°C). Our post on caring for your Pillowise pillow covers the rest.
What does it cost, and what if it does not feel right?
The suggested retail price is $159 for a standard pillow and $119 for the Pillow ToGo travel pillow. Each provider sets the final price. If you want to pay with an FSA or HSA, ask your plan administrator whether the purchase qualifies. Our year-end FSA reminder has more.
Give the pillow 7 to 10 days to adjust. A new height can feel odd at first. If it still does not feel right, the 30-day comfort guarantee lets you exchange it for another size or return it for a refund within 30 days of purchase. You pay the return shipping, and shipping charges are not refunded.
The 5-year warranty covers material and production faults. It does not cover normal changes in firmness, improper use, wear and tear, contamination or damage after delivery. Activate it at /warranty and keep your invoice. Other common questions are answered in our FAQ, and you can read reviews from patients and providers.
Will a Pillowise pillow fix my neck pain?
No pillow can promise that. We see a fitted pillow as an adjunct to care, not a treatment. A provider assesses and treats your neck. The pillow covers the hours you spend in bed.
See your own provider if your pain started after an injury, if it comes with numbness, tingling or weakness, or if it does not improve. Not sure whether your current pillow is the problem? Read how to tell if your pillow is the wrong height.
Find a provider near you
Pillowise is available only through licensed providers, so the first step is to find one. Use our reseller finder, make an appointment and get measured. The measurement is free.
Find a Pillowise provider near you
Are you a chiropractor, PT or LMT? You can register as a Pillowise reseller.
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist
Co-founder of Pillowise
