CPAP Mask Sizing Guide: How to Measure Your Face at Home

The right CPAP mask size is the difference between therapy that disappears on your face and therapy you fight all night. If your mask leaks, leaves red marks, or lets air escape, the size is usually the culprit, not the mask itself. The good news is you can find your size at home in a few minutes, either by measuring your face or by printing the exact template for your mask. Here's how, step by step.

Quick answer

• Know your mask type first: full face, nasal, or nasal pillow. Sizing works differently for each.
• Measure your face with a ruler (method below), or print your mask's official sizing template at 100% scale and hold it to your face in a mirror.
• Check the fit lying down in your normal sleep position with the machine running. If you are between sizes, size up.

"If your CPAP mask leaks, leaves red marks, or just feels wrong, you probably just have the wrong size. Once you dial in the right fit, it changes everything: sleep quality, comfort, and even how much you stick with your therapy."

— Daniel Feldman, CPAP Expert, Sleeplay

Watch the full walkthrough video below:

How CPAP mask sizing actually works

Before you measure anything, a few facts save you a lot of frustration.

Sizing isn't just about comfort. A poor CPAP mask fit is linked to more air leaks and lower long-term adherence to CPAP therapy, so dialing in the right size is key to making CPAP work [6] [7].

No universal size fits all CPAP users, given the wide variety of face shapes and unique facial dimensions. A "medium" in one mask isn't a medium in another, and sizes differ across brands and even across models from the same brand. Mayo Clinic notes that proper sizing matters for comfort and performance, and that sizes vary across styles and brands [1]. Always size to the specific mask you're buying, not what you wore before. If you have a smaller or narrower face, our guide to CPAP masks for women flags models that tend to run small.

Most masks come in a few cushion sizes, commonly Small, Medium, and Large, sometimes with Medium-Wide or Extra-Large options too. Nasal pillow masks work differently: they use small, medium, and large pillow inserts instead of a measured cushion.

Top-of-head-tube masks add a wrinkle. On models like the AirFit N30i, P30i, and F30i, you have two sizes to get right instead of one: the cushion size and the frame size. More on that below.

How to measure your face at home (by mask type)

Grab a ruler or tape measure and a mirror, or a friend to help. Measure by your mask type. This is the same method manufacturers and clinicians use.

Full face masks

Measure the vertical distance from the bridge of your nose (level with your pupils) straight down to the deepest point of the crease just below your lower lip [3]. That single measurement maps directly to the full face cushion size on your mask's size chart.

Full Face Masks

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Nasal masks

Measure your nose in two ways. First, the height: from the bridge (level with your pupils) down to where the base of your nose meets your upper lip. Second, the width: across the widest part of your nostrils [4]. Match both numbers to your mask's nasal cushion size chart.

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Nasal pillow masks

No face measuring needed here. Nasal pillows seal inside the nostrils, so you match your nostril size to the small, medium, and large pillows that come in the box. Most nasal pillow masks ship as a fit pack with all three sizes included, so you simply try each one and keep whichever seals best.

Nasal Pillow Masks

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"When you fit a CPAP mask, you're looking for three things: adequate therapy, comfort so you can actually use it, and the proper size so it seals properly."

— Oswald (Ozzy) Azua, Respiratory Therapist, Sleeplay

The most accurate method: print the official template

Measuring with a ruler gets you close. Printing your mask's official sizing template gets you exact, because you hold a to-scale outline of each size directly against your own face.

Print at 100% scale. In your printer settings, turn OFF "fit to page" or any scaling option, or the template will print the wrong size. Many templates include a check ruler or a coin outline so you can confirm the scale before you use it.

Cut out the template (or hold the sheet up as is), stand at a mirror, and line the cutouts up with your nose or face the way the guide shows.

Do it in your sleep position. Your facial muscles relax and shift when you lie down, and features like facial hair can also alter how a seal rests, so check the fit lying on your side or back, ideally with the machine running, rather than sitting upright [5].

Find your mask below and print its template. If your exact mask isn't listed, our team can help you match it through our part finder.

Printable size guides by mask (our full library)

These are the official, to-scale sizing templates we host, organized by mask. Print each at 100% and measure against your face. Remember: print with scaling turned off every time.

Don't see your mask here, or not sure which one you own? Use our part finder to help you identify it, or browse all CPAP masks to compare options.

Still deciding which mask to get in the first place? Our best CPAP masks of 2026 roundup and our CPAP mask buying guide both cover that decision, and if you experience frequent nasal congestion or breathe through your mouth, our list of the best CPAP masks for mouth breathers narrows it further. We also host sizing templates for many older masks, including the Mirage Quattro, Quattro Air, Wisp, Amara Gel, Zest, and FlexiFit, so just ask our team if yours isn't listed above.

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Tips for getting the size right

Between sizes? Size up. If your measurement lands between two sizes, choose the larger one. A slightly larger cushion seals with less pressure, while a too-small cushion digs in and leaks [3].

Fit with the machine on, lying down. Air pressure delivered to your airway changes how a cushion sits on your face. Put the mask on, start therapy, and lie in your normal sleep position before you judge the seal [5].

Don't overtighten. A good seal comes from the right size and position, so carefully adjust the straps rather than cranking the headgear. Overtightening causes both leaks and red marks. For a full leak playbook, our guide on how to reduce CPAP mask leaks covers every fix in detail.

Still unsure? Use a fit pack. A fit pack includes several cushion sizes in one box, so you can try each and keep the one that seals.

Signs your CPAP mask is the wrong size

A few problems are almost always a sizing issue, not a defective mask. If any of these sound familiar, re-measure or size up.

If problems persist after you've confirmed the right size, consult your sleep doctor or check our guide to common CPAP problems and how to fix them. If red marks or general skin irritation are your main issue, CPAP mask liners add a soft barrier, and side sleepers who keep breaking the seal should check out our list of the best CPAP masks for side sleepers.

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Cushion, frame, and headgear sizing

Some masks come with more than one size decision. Knowing which parts are sized keeps you from ordering the wrong replacement later.

Cushion or pillows: the part that seals, sized S/M/L or by pillow size. This is one piece that wears out and gets replaced most often. You can shop cushions and pillows once you know your size.

Mask Cushions & Pillows

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Frame: With top-of-the-mask models like the AirFit N30i, P30i, and F30i, you also choose a frame size, often Small, Standard, or Wide. The printable template covers both measurements. Browse frames directly, or see how this plays out in practice in our ResMed AirFit N30i review and our F&P Nova nasal mask review.

Headgear: usually one size per mask, though a few models come in Standard and Small. Replace headgear once the straps stretch out and stop holding tension.

Will a fit pack help?

If you truly can't decide, or you're new to CPAP altogether, a fit pack takes the guesswork out entirely.

A fit pack includes several cushion or pillow sizes in one box, so you try each and keep whichever gives you the best seal. The ResMed AirFit P10 and ResMed Swift FX both come this way. The F&P Solo works differently: its AutoFit cushion self-adjusts, so one size fits most people, with no fit pack needed.

Once you know your size, you only need to reorder that one cushion going forward.

Still choosing the mask itself, not just the size? Start with our CPAP mask buying guide, our breakdown of CPAP mask types, our best CPAP masks of 2026 picks, or our list of the most comfortable CPAP masks.

New to CPAP, and the mask still feels strange even at the right size? Our 9 tips for getting used to CPAP can help you adjust through those first few weeks.

The bottom line

Three steps and you're done.

Identify your mask type, then measure your face, or print the template for that exact mask. Check the fit lying down with the machine on, and size up if you're between sizes. If it still leaks or marks your face afterward, it's the size or the fit, not you, and it's fixable.

FAQs

How do I know if my CPAP mask is the right size?

A correctly sized mask seals with light headgear tension and leaves no red marks or pressure sores after a night of use. If you have to overtighten the straps to stop leaks, or you wake with deep impressions on your skin, the cushion size or frame size is likely off and should be reassessed.

What size CPAP mask do I need?

The right size depends on the specific mask model and your facial measurements. For full face masks, measure from the bridge of your nose to just below your lower lip. For nasal masks, measure nose height and width. For nasal pillow masks, match your nostril size to the small, medium, or large pillow inserts. You can also print the official sizing template for your specific mask at exactly 100 percent scale and hold it to your face. Sizes are not consistent across brands or models.

Do all CPAP masks use the same sizes?

No. A medium in one mask can be equivalent to a small or large in another, even within the same brand family. Always size to the specific mask model you are buying using its own measurement guide or template rather than assuming your size transfers from another mask.

What if I am between two CPAP mask sizes?

Size up. A slightly larger cushion seals with less clamping pressure and is less likely to leave marks on your face. A cushion that is too small tends to dig into the skin and is more prone to leaking.

Is there a printable CPAP mask size chart?

Yes. Official, to-scale sizing templates are available for more than 20 mask models. Print the template for your specific mask at exactly 100 percent scale, cut it out, and check it against your face in a mirror to determine the right size before purchasing.

Should I check my CPAP mask fit sitting up or lying down?

Check the fit lying in your normal sleep position, ideally with the machine running at your prescribed pressure. Facial muscles shift when you lie down, so a mask that feels good sitting upright can fit differently during actual use at night.

Sources

1. Mayo Clinic. "Which CPAP masks are best for you?" Proper sizing and fit; sizes vary by brand. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/in-depth/cpap-masks/art-20546828
2. Mayo Clinic. "CPAP machines: Tips for avoiding 10 common problems." Leaks from poor fit. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/in-depth/cpap/art-20044164
3. ResMed. "AirFit F20: How to measure your ideal mask size at home." Measurement method, print to scale, size up between sizes. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-health/blog/airfit-f20-how-to-measure-your-ideal-mask-size-at-home/
4. ResMed. "AirFit N20: How to measure your ideal mask size at home." Nasal measurement method. https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-health/blog/airfit-n20-how-to-measure-your-ideal-mask-size-at-home/
5. American Sleep Apnea Association. "How to choose a CPAP mask." Fit in your sleeping position with the machine running. https://www.sleepapnea.org/cpap/how-to-choose-a-cpap-mask/
6. Chen LY, et al. "Effects of interface type on CPAP outcomes: a network meta-analysis." Journal of Sleep Research, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35821391/
7. Rowland S, et al. "Efficacy, mask leak, adherence, and preference across CPAP interfaces." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29198305/