Feeling cold at night despite a blanket: Causes and what really helps

It's getting cold outside, the heating isn't working properly yet – and you just don't get warm under the duvet. It doesn't have to be that way. Usually, one of a few causes is to blame, and almost all of them can be quickly resolved.

Why am I cold at night despite having a duvet?

Cause	How to spot it	What helps
Warmth rating too low	You're cold all night, especially in winter	Winter duvet when the bedroom is below 18°C
Duvet too small	Your shoulders or feet are exposed, and cold air gets in at the sides	Larger duvet, around 155 × 220 cm
Filling is flat or old	The duvet feels thin, has cold spots, or the filling has clumped	Give it a good shake, dry it properly, or replace it
Residual moisture after washing	The duvet smells musty or feels damp	Dry it completely
Drafts	Cold air at your head or back	Open the window wide for a short time instead of leaving it tilted
Sweating first, then feeling cold	You wake up damp and feel cold afterwards	Breathable filling, appropriate warmth rating

Which duvet for which room temperature?

Bedroom	Warmth rating	Down 90% (135 × 200 cm)	Primaloft Bio (135 × 200 cm)
From around 22°C	Summer	250 g	250 g
Around 18–22°C	All-season	624 g	625 g
Below around 18°C	Winter	900 g	900 g

If you tend to feel cold, choose one warmth rating higher just to be safe. With the same amount of filling, down is slightly warmer than synthetic fibres – if you prefer a vegan duvet, you'll find the details in the guide Vegan Duvet for Winter.

For cold bedroomsWinter duvets – down or Primaloft BioFor rooms below around 18°C and anyone who gets cold easily – with filling weights for every size.View winter duvets

Sweating first, then feeling cold?

This often happens with duvets that are too warm or not breathable enough: You sweat, the moisture cools down, and suddenly you feel cold. The solution isn't an even warmer duvet, but an appropriate warmth rating with filling that lets moisture escape easily – such as down or Primaloft Bio. Find out more in the guide Why do I sweat at night?

If the warmth rating is right but you still wake up damp, heat is building up under the duvet. In that case, a climate duvet can help: a down duvet in the same warmth rating with air-permeable climate bands that allow excess heat and moisture to escape more easily. This prevents the duvet from getting damp in the first place. The difference between a climate duvet and a classic down duvet is explained in the guide Climate duvet or quilted duvet?

Quick help for tonight

• Give the duvet a good shake: Give it a vigorous shake before going to bed so the filling traps air again.
• Wear socks: Cold feet can keep you awake. Warm socks or a hot water bottle at the foot of the bed can help you fall asleep.
• Open the window wide for a few minutes instead of leaving it tilted: Open it wide for a few minutes before going to bed, then close it – this keeps the air fresh without making it freezing.
• Wrap the duvet around your shoulders: A lot of heat is lost through your neck and shoulders.
• Warmer bedding: Flannel or flannel-like fabrics feel warmer in winter than smooth fabrics.

Couples: One person is cold, the other is sweating

In that case, two separate duvets are the best solution: Each person can choose their own warmth rating, such as a winter duvet for one and an all-season duvet for the other. The guide Which duvet size do I need? explains which sizes are right for this.

Frequently asked questions

Which duvet should I choose if I get cold easily?
A winter duvet. Traumwelt offers them with 90% or 100% down, goose down, or as a vegan winter duvet with Primaloft Bio.

Does a heavier duvet help with feeling cold?
Not necessarily. Warmth comes from trapped air, not weight. A good down duvet is light yet very warm.

Is a 155 × 220 cm duvet warmer?
Not per square centimetre – the amount of filling increases with the size. However, it covers you better, so less cold air reaches your shoulders and feet.

How warm should the bedroom be?
Many people sleep well at around 16 to 19°C. The important thing is that your duvet's warmth rating matches the room temperature.

When should I see a doctor?
If you're constantly cold during the day and in warm rooms too, or if this is new and unusual. There could be an underlying medical cause.

Related topics

• Winter duvets
• Warmth ratings & filling weights
• Why do I sweat at night?