Weighted blankets have gained popularity for their potential to provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality through deep pressure stimulation. The effectiveness and comfort of a weighted blanket depend significantly on its weight and size relative to the user. This calculator helps you determine appropriate recommendations based on general guidelines.
Weight Recommendation:
The most common guideline for choosing the weight of a weighted blanket is to aim for 10% of your body weight. This ratio is often considered optimal for providing therapeutic deep pressure without feeling too heavy or restrictive. For example, if you weigh 70 kg, a blanket weighing around 7 kg would be a good starting point.
Formula:Recommended Blanket Weight (kg) = Body Weight (kg) * 0.10
It's important to note that this is a guideline. Some individuals may prefer a slightly lighter or heavier blanket based on personal preference or specific therapeutic needs. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have specific medical conditions, such as respiratory or circulatory issues, before using a weighted blanket.
Size Recommendation:
The size of the weighted blanket should ideally be proportionate to the surface area it needs to cover. While it's often recommended that a weighted blanket doesn't hang excessively over the sides of the bed or body, a blanket that covers the user fully provides the most benefit. This calculator uses your specified desired dimensions to confirm suitability. A common queen-size blanket is around 220 cm x 230 cm, and a double is around 200 cm x 200 cm, but personal preferences vary greatly.
This calculator prompts for desired dimensions to ensure the blanket covers the area you intend it for, allowing for a more personalized fit. A blanket that is too small might not provide the full-body pressure intended, while one that is excessively large might be cumbersome.
How to Use This Calculator:
Enter Your Body Weight: Provide your weight in kilograms (kg).
Enter Desired Blanket Dimensions: Input the height (length) and width you desire for the blanket in centimeters (cm). This helps ensure the blanket is appropriately sized for your needs and the space it will occupy.
Calculate: Click the button to receive your recommended blanket weight and to check if your desired dimensions are reasonable.
This calculator provides a starting point. Personal comfort and preference play a significant role. Always consider consulting with a professional if you have underlying health conditions.
function calculateWeightedBlanket() {
var bodyWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("bodyWeight").value);
var blanketHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("blanketHeight").value);
var blanketWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("blanketWidth").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var resultParagraph = resultDiv.querySelector("p");
var resultSpan = resultDiv.querySelector("span");
if (isNaN(bodyWeight) || bodyWeight <= 0) {
resultParagraph.textContent = "Invalid";
resultSpan.textContent = "Please enter a valid body weight in kg.";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ffeeba"; // Warning yellow
resultParagraph.style.color = "#856404"; // Dark yellow text
return;
}
if (isNaN(blanketHeight) || blanketHeight <= 0) {
resultParagraph.textContent = "Invalid";
resultSpan.textContent = "Please enter a valid desired blanket height in cm.";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ffeeba";
resultParagraph.style.color = "#856404";
return;
}
if (isNaN(blanketWidth) || blanketWidth <= 0) {
resultParagraph.textContent = "Invalid";
resultSpan.textContent = "Please enter a valid desired blanket width in cm.";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ffeeba";
resultParagraph.style.color = "#856404";
return;
}
// Calculate recommended weight
var recommendedWeight = bodyWeight * 0.10;
var roundedWeight = recommendedWeight.toFixed(1); // To one decimal place
// Basic size validation – ensure dimensions are somewhat realistic for a person
var sizeMessage = "";
var blanketArea = blanketHeight * blanketWidth;
var recommendedArea = bodyWeight * 100; // A very rough heuristic, assumes body is ~1m wide and 2m tall
if (blanketArea 6) { // e.g., 200cm x 300cm = 6 m^2
sizeMessage = " Consider if these dimensions are too large for practical use.";
} else {
sizeMessage = " These dimensions should provide good coverage.";
}
resultParagraph.textContent = roundedWeight + " kg";
resultSpan.innerHTML = "Recommended blanket weight. " +
"Desired dimensions: " + blanketHeight + "cm x " + blanketWidth + "cm." +
""+sizeMessage+"";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#e8f0fe"; // Reset to default light blue
resultParagraph.style.color = "#28a745"; // Reset to success green
}