How Heavy Should A Weighted Blanket Be?

One of the toughest choices when getting a weighted blanket, especially a SleepForce blanket, is how heavy you want to make your blanket. The answer to this question is a mix of the following factors: What specific use is the blanket for? What is the calculation you need to make to determine weight? And lastly, what are some circumstances that may cause a revision of this number? Let’s review each and see what sort of weighted blanket would work best for your situation.

Where You Put the Blanket Matters

It may not be an initial consideration for most people, but the weight of a weighted blanket often can depend on use. One might need weight adjustments if it’s to lie across the shoulders, be a sleeping blanket, or be a lap blanket for class or office.

As a general rule, when a weight recommendation is given for a weighted blanket, people tend to treat it as a sleeping blanket (as we will here and within the chart below). If you want to have it more as a shoulder blanket, it is recommended you remove around 1 or 2 pounds depending on total weight of the blanket (and a reduction of up to 25% if you happen to be of a slim frame for your height, counting the role of muscle mass in holding up the blanket). For leg blankets, you may actually want the blanket a few pounds heavier (usually 2 pounds at most), except in cases which will be discussed in the circumstances section. Of course, if you do primarily see a weighted blanket as a sleeping or full body blanket, check out the next section below to get the proper calculations for this.

How to Calculate How Much Weight I Need in a Weighted Blanket

In general, the equation for finding what weight of blanket you should buy should be your (ideal) weight, divided by 10 for an adult. If you are buying for a child, usually those under 12 should have a rough limit of 5 to 6 pounds, so as to not cause health problems. Now, regarding the ideal body weight, there is some controversy. While some occupational therapists recommend using weight as seen in one’s Body Mass Index value for their height and healthy weight rating. However, in a pinch using your standard weight (as long as it’s below 250lbs) should be acceptable.

What Circumstances May Cause a Different Weight?

As stated earlier, though the above table is excellent for most people, as with any rule there are some exceptions. Some of these include the following:

• Circulation issues that are not currently being treated
• Diabetes
• Muscle dystrophy disorders
• Respiratory Issues
• Cardiovascular Issues

While not a comprehensive list, it’s noted that individuals with these diseases or disorders may need to reduce the weight in their blanket significantly, and it is heavily advised one speaks to their doctor before the start of using a weighted blanket.

As usual, please feel free to contact our customer support for additional help with ordering, and if there are any medical questions please refer to your doctor so as to get the most relevant and accurate advice.