--- title: "Where Does the Zipper Go on a Cushion? Back Edge or Underside" url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/cushion-cover-zipper-placement/" section: "The Cutting Table" author: "Rosa Delgado, The Porch Keeper of Savannah" author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/rosa/" published: "2026-09-13" updated: "2026-09-24" keywords: "where does the zipper go on a cushion, cushion cover zipper placement, hidden zipper cushion cover, bench cushion zipper underside, cushion zipper showing" --- # Where does the zipper go on my cushion, and will it show? *A zipper is supposed to be a cushion's little secret, neighbor. When somebody can see it, it's usually a question of which way is up.* Also asked as: Will these have zippers, or is that extra?; Which edge will sit against the wall? > **The quick answer:** The zipper goes on the cushion's back edge, the one against the wall, window or chair back, or on the underside, and it comes standard on every cover at no extra charge. On bench cushions it runs in an L around two corners underneath. If you can see the zipper, the cushion is probably upside down or turned around. ![Taupe gray textured piped cushion on a whitewashed cubby entry bench with wicker baskets, riding boots and a straw hat](https://cushionguide.com/media/bench-cushions/taupe-cushion-cubby-entry-bench-wicker-baskets-1600.webp "A taupe cushion with self piping tops a cubby bench, with baskets and boots below.") ## Key facts - Zippers come standard on every cover at no extra charge. - The zipper sits on the back edge, facing the wall, window or chair back. - It can also sit on the underside. - Bench cushion zippers run L-shaped around two corners, along one long and one short side underneath. - The zipper side faces down or back against the seat. - When the order doesn't make the back edge clear, the workshop asks. ## “Is the zipper extra, and which edge gets it?” No charge. Every cover gets a zipper as standard, so every cover comes off. The only question is where it hides: the back edge, the one against the wall, the window or the chair back, or the underside, where nobody looks but the dog. If your order doesn't make the back edge clear, the workshop asks. On one 23 5/8 x 17 3/4 in (60 x 45 cm) cushion the zipper went on the 23 5/8 in edge, not the short one. The [zipper placement pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/cushion-zipper-placement/) shows how to name your edge, and the [chair cushion builder](https://cushionguide.com/studio/chair-cushion-builder/) helps you see which side faces the chair back. Which side of your seat meets the wall? ## “How does the foam come out of a long bench cushion?” Around the corner. On a bench cushion the zipper runs in an L around two corners, along one long side and one short side on the underside. Open it and the foam slides out without a wrestling match, and the cover can go in the washing machine. That's a [wraparound zipper](https://cushionguide.com/glossary/#wraparound-zipper), and it's why a long cover doesn't fight you. ## “I can see the zipper. Did they sew it wrong?” Usually not. Turn the cushion over, or turn it around, before you write in. The zipper side is meant to face down or back against the seat so only the clean face shows. The same goes for a [dining chair cushion](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/dining-chair-cushions/): zipper edge toward the chair back, and the front stays clean. ## The cut-out cushion that came zipper-up Once in a while it really is the cover. A buyer's cushion with a cut-out arrived with its zipper facing up. The workshop didn't argue about it; it sewed a new cover with the zipper on the bottom and shipped it by FedEx. > **Tailor's margin:** If a cushion's zipper shows, flip the cushion before you write in: the zipper side is meant to face down or back against the seat. > On a bench cushion the zipper wraps two corners on the underside, along one long and one short side, so the foam slides out easily. > > — Rosa Delgado ## Buyer questions **A common question:** Do zippers cost extra, and which edge do they go on? **The workshop's answer:** They're standard on every cover at no extra charge. The zipper goes on the back edge, against the wall, window or chair back. If the order isn't clear, the workshop asks; on one 23 5/8 x 17 3/4 in (60 x 45 cm) cushion it went on the longer edge. **A common question:** Will I see the zipper once the cushion is on the seat? **The workshop's answer:** It shouldn't show. Every cover has a removable zipper on the back side, hidden as far as possible, and the zipper side faces down or back against the seat. If you see it, the cushion may be upside down. **A common question:** Does the bench cushion cover come off for cleaning, and where's the zipper? **The workshop's answer:** Yes. The hidden zipper runs in an L along one long and one short side on the underside, so the cover comes off easily. **A common question:** Is there a zipper so the cover can be washed? **The workshop's answer:** Yes. It runs around two corners, so the foam insert slides out easily and the cover can go in the washing machine. **A common question:** What do you need to make a cover for foam I already have? **The workshop's answer:** The exact length, width and thickness of each insert. Choose the closest size range, write the sizes and fabric code in the personalization box, and place one order per size; odd thicknesses such as 5.5 in are fine. ## Questions buyers ask next ### Can I ask for the zipper on one particular edge? Yes. Name the edge in your order, such as the long back edge. When the order leaves it unclear, the workshop asks which edge faces the wall or chair back before the cover is sewn. ### Can a cover be resewn if the zipper really is on the wrong side? In a past case, yes: when a cushion with a cut-out came with its zipper facing up, the workshop sewed a new cover with the zipper on the bottom and shipped it by FedEx. Check that the cushion isn't simply upside down first. ### Do tufted cushions have a zipper too? No. Tufted cushions are made without a zipper, because the buttons are sewn through the filling. The standard zipper belongs to plain covers, which is why only those come off for washing. ### How far does the zipper run on a box cushion cover? Farther than one side on bench and mattress covers. The zipper usually runs along the back edge and around two corners in an L, so the firm insert can be folded and slid in or out. Foam cutters recommend exactly that: a zipper that wraps a couple of inches around the back corners makes refitting a snug cover much easier. ## Related at the atelier - [Where does the zipper go on a trapezoid cushion, and will the foam come out?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/trapezoid-cushion-zipper-placement/): Ask for the zipper on the shorter back edge and the workshop puts it there, so the long front edge stays clean. - [Chair Cushion in Green Stripe on Rattan: Choosing the Edge](https://cushionguide.com/readings/green-graphic-stripe-rattan-armchair-box-cushion/): A rattan armchair with an open spindle seat needs a box-edge chair cushion about 3 in (8 cm) deep, because a thin knife-edge pad rides on every spindle. - [Chair cushion with ties in crimson and indigo, finished by hand](https://cushionguide.com/readings/crimson-cushion-indigo-piping-library-reading-corner/): A chair cushion with ties looks tailored when the finishing is right: piping that runs straight and turns rounded corners cleanly, ties in the body color set to meet the back posts, the zipper along… - [Chair Cushion with Ties: Measuring a Teak Armchair Seat and Back](https://cushionguide.com/readings/slate-blue-seat-blue-stripe-back-teak-armchair/): To order a chair cushion with ties for an armchair, measure the seat inside the arms at the front and at the back, the depth from the front edge to the back slats, and the back from the seat frame… - [What if I don't like the cushions when they arrive? Can I send them back for a refund?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/return-cushions-change-of-mind/): Yes, you can return cushions for a change of mind, but you arrange and pay the return shipping yourself and the refund is issued once they arrive back safely. - [Accent chair and sofa chair seat cushions, replaced to the old shape](https://cushionguide.com/guides/accent-chair-seat-cushions/): To replace an accent chair seat cushion, measure the width between the arms at the back and the front, the seat depth, and the old cushion's thickness, and send a photo of the chair. - [Cushion zipper placement: back edge, underside and odd shapes](https://cushionguide.com/guides/cushion-zipper-placement/) - [Cushion tie placement for chairs, porch swings and benches](https://cushionguide.com/guides/cushion-tie-placement-chairs-swings/) *Porch light's on — Rosa* --- Written by Rosa Delgado (https://cushionguide.com/masters/rosa/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/cushion-cover-zipper-placement/