Use this mattress size chart to determine the size of the mattress that will suit your needs before you shop for your next mattress. If your mattress isn’t big enough for everyone who will sleep in your bed and any pets that join you, you won’t sleep as comfortably as you should. On the other hand, if your mattress is too big for your bedroom, you won’t have enough room for other furniture or to make the bed.
Mattress Sizes (A Quick Summary)
Mattress Sizes You Need
Use the mattress size chart to be sure about your requirements because some mattresses might not fit in your room, which can create a real hassle if you buy from a mattress store that doesn’t allow returns.
First, you should consider what size you need today as well as any changes you expect in the size you’ll need during the life of the mattress. For example:
- If you’re single but you hope to marry in the next five or so years, you may want to consider purchasing a bed that will work after you’re married. This is especially true if you’re settled in your own home.
- If you’re renting and likely to move frequently, consider the difficulty of moving a larger bed compared to moving a smaller bed and mattress.
- If you’re buying a mattress for a child, remember how fast they grow. Many children will reach their full height in the bed you purchase to replace their toddler bed.
Custom Sizes
You may be surprised to learn that you can order mattresses in custom sizes. Some beds or sleeping arrangements require custom sizes, including extra-long or extra-wide versions and custom shapes to fit specific needs.
Three factors are the most important when you choose the size of your mattress:
- What size do you need?
- Is the room large enough to accommodate the mattress you need?
- Your budget
If you have a new bed, one of the standard mattress sizes will fit. If you have an antique or RV bed, you may need to order a custom size. If you are significantly larger than average, such as an NBA basketball player, you may want a custom bed to accommodate your height. The largest standard mattress length is seven feet. Most people don’t sleep with their head against the headboard. So, anyone who is 6’5” or taller may find a 7-foot length confining.
Room Size
We specify the minimum room size you need to accommodate mattresses for each type of mattress throughout this article.
Your Budget
Your budget should consider both the mattress purchase, the cost of the bed as well as the bedding, and the cost of providing a room large enough to accommodate the mattress. We illustrate the substantial price difference between choosing a King and Queen size below:
King | Queen | |
Nectar Mattress | $899 | $699 |
Sheets | $114 | $89 |
Mattress Protector | $99 | $89 |
Platform Bed | $275 | $250 |
Wool Blanket | $180 | $150 |
Total Cost | $1,567 | $1,277 |
Mattress, sheets, mattress protector, and platform bed prices are from Nectar on July 12, 2019. The wool blanket represents the average price difference we found after looking at several different options.
If you want a more traditional bed, like this Coastal Sleigh bed (pictured below), the King size is priced over $400 more than the Queen.
We won’t bore you with the math, but we calculated that building a home with a room large enough for the minimum King size mattress would cost $5,500 more than building a home with just the minimum size needed for a Queen mattress using an estimated $125 per square foot. For ideal comfort, you’d want more than the absolute minimum size if you have furniture other than the bed and night tables in the room.
Keep in mind that you’ll incur some of these expenses repeatedly. Most people have more than one set of sheets for their bed and everything except the bed itself will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
If you need a King size, then go for it. But if you’re comparing the price of just the mattress and thinking “I might as well, it’s only $200” you’d overlook quite a few related expenses.
Keep in mind that some people also need their personal space while they sleep. If you need the space, choosing a mattress that is too small is penny wise and pound foolish because impairing the quality of sleep has long term negative implications for health, relationships, and even safety.
Therefore, we provide you with details on different sizes, their dimensions, their purpose, and who they suit best.
Mattress Size Chart (Dimensions and Best for)
Mattress Sizes | Best For |
Crib | Baby |
Twin or Single | Toddlers, single adults, college dorms |
Short Twin | Toddlers, single adults, college dorms, RV |
Twin XL | Toddlers, single adults, teenagers, college dorms |
Full or Double | Couples, single adults, sleepers with kid or pets |
Full XL | Couples, single adults, teenagers, children with pets |
Standard Queen | Couples, couple with kid or pets |
Olympic Queen | Tall couples, couple with kid or pets |
California Queen | Couples, couple with kid or pets |
Standard King | Couples, couple with kid or pets |
California King | Tall couples, couple with kid or pets |
Split King | Couples with adjustable beds |
Split California King | Couples with adjustable beds |
Crib Mattress Size
When it comes to the size of a crib mattress, the most important factor is that it fits snuggly in the crib. You do not want a gap between the mattress and the side of the crib as a gap can endanger your child. Standard crib mattresses are 28⅝-inches in width and 52⅝-inches in length. Moreover, a crib mattress should not be more than 6-inches thick.
A crib mattress that is too thick puts your child at risk of being able to topple out of the crib. Crib mattresses will usually also fit in toddler beds, so they’ll last for the first several years of your child’s life.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum recommended room size for a nursery with a crib is 7-feet x 10-feet.
Note that experts recommend that babies sleep in the same room as their parents during at least the first six months of their life, but not in the same bed.
Also read: Crib mattress buying guide and top choices
Twin Mattress Size
Most children sleep in a twin bed after they outgrow their crib or toddler bed. The twin-size is one of the most common sizes used for children. Because these mattresses are small, they leave enough space for toys and room to play.
The standard measurements for a twin bed in the USA are 39-inches in width and 74-inches in length. Sizes in other countries vary slightly.
Bunk beds usually use twin size mattresses, although some bunk beds combine a twin upper with a full or queen size lower bed.
A twin mattress is an ideal solution for people who share a single room but don’t share a bed. Some couples opt for single beds for a variety of reasons including reducing disruptions to one another’s sleep.
When considering the size of the mattress to purchase for your child, think about how tall your child is expected to be by the time the mattress wears out. Your pediatrician can give you an estimate.
If your child is expected to be tall, you may want to opt for a Twin XL although sheets will be somewhat more expensive, and Twin XL sheets tend to be more difficult to find in stores. It may be well worth the cost. A teenager who doesn’t sleep well because they are too tall for their bed is likely to be both grumpy and make worse decisions than they would if they were comfortable. Sleep deprivation has a negative effect on self-control and cognitive abilities.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum size room for a twin bed is 7-feet x 10-feet. For two twin beds in one room, the minimum size of the room should be 12-feet x 10-feet.
Twin XL Mattress Size
If you need extra length for your height, a twin XL bed provides it. This is also handy if your cat or dog tends to sleep on your feet.
Twin XL is the most common size used in college dorm rooms. The dimensions are 39-inches x 80-inches in the USA, which provides you with an extra 6-inches for your legs. Canada’s twin XL is almost the same size as the one in the US. Twin XL isn’t a standard size in the European Union or France. In the UK, the closest is their small double.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum room size for a twin XL bed is 7-feet x 10-feet.
Full Mattress Size
Full-sized beds are also known as double mattresses. Less expensive hotels often use them as a substitute for Queen beds. These mattresses are 16-inches bigger than a twin in width. The dimensions of full-sized mattresses are 54-inches in width and 74-inches in length. These beds are equipped with enough space to accommodate two small individuals comfortably.
However, please bear in mind that your partner may not like the size of the bed if you tend to move around a lot in your sleep on a full-sized bed. Such mattresses are more useful for older kids who can have a sleepover without needing a second bed.
A full-sized mattress allows you to cuddle up with your kids if you regularly tuck your children in for the night. You’ll also be able to lay down with them while you read them a bedtime story.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum room size for a full-sized mattress is 10-feet x 12-feet.
Full XL Mattress Size
A full XL mattress equips you with additional room for your feet. The dimensions of these beds are 54-inches in width and 80-inches in length which means that you get an extra 6-inches to stretch your legs and feet.
Similar to full-sized beds, the full XL bed is an excellent option for tall individuals.
Nevertheless, these beds don’t provide you with extra width that you can enjoy in the Queen version. Full XL mattresses are a good choice for people who like to cuddle with their partners during sleep, and don’t care much about having their own space for sleeping.
This is not a common size and you may have difficulty finding sheets in this size in department stores. Fortunately, there are numerous options for sheets in this size when you shop online.
Recommended Room Size
Based on the walking space that you need in your room, the minimum recommended room size for a full XL mattress is 10-feet x 12-feet.
Queen Mattress Size
Queen beds are the most commonly used size in the world because they cater to the needs of most people. Queen size mattresses provide extra room which makes sleeping with a partner more comfortable for people who don’t want to touch someone else while they sleep. Standard Queen-sized mattresses are large enough to provide room for a couple of sleepers. Both people will enjoy enough space to enjoy their sleep and have room to rollover.
It also keeps you close enough that cuddlers can easily find one another. Standard queen-sized mattresses come with dimensions of 60-inches in width and 80-inches in length. This bed offers more than enough sleeping space for single sleepers to move around during sleep.
You will also have room for your children or pets to sleep with you. Nevertheless, these mattresses are far bigger than other beds mentioned above, and for this, you need to have enough space in your room to accommodate these beds comfortably and still walk around with convenience.
This bed size is preferable for guest rooms, if you want couples to be comfortable. If you want them to go home quicker, choose a full-size.
Teenagers can spread out on a Queen-sized bed and have sleep overs without needing a second bed.
Many married couples opt for this size. If you’re sleeping alone, using a pillow to cuddle helps keep your body heat close to your body so you won’t feel too cold.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum size room recommended for a queen-sized mattress is10-feet x 10-feet. Keep in mind, this is a minimum and you’ll be more comfortable if you have more space.
Olympic Queen Mattress Size
Olympic queen-sized mattresses have dimensions of 80-inches in length and 66-inches in width. They provide an additional 6-inches of width when compared to a standard Queen mattress.
The extra width is suitable for times when couples need some personal space when they are in bed and six additional inches helps with that. Olympic queen size also accommodates your child who needs some cuddling too if they wake up during the night, which is an added advantage of this size.
Olympic Queens are not a common size which means you won’t have as large of a selection of sheets to choose from when you purchase sheets.
You can use flat sheets for a king and tuck them under the mattress if you can’t find fitted sheets that match your décor.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum recommended size for a room with an Olympic queen mattress is 10-feet x 11-feet.
California Queen Size
You’ll see on the mattress size chart that the California queen-size has dimensions of 60-inches in width and 84-inches in length , and it is the best option for couples who need some extra space for their feet or pets at the end of their bed. The width of a California Queen is the same as a standard Queen.
This size is the preferable choice for tall couples who don’t want a King-sized mattress. This size also provides extra room at the foot of the bed for your pets.
Note: Infants should not co-sleep as pictured in this image. They should be in a baby box, bassinette, or other safe sleeping space so they can’t be accidentally suffocated if one of their exhausted parents rolls over on them or the blankets cover their little nose.
Older children can safely co-sleep as pictured.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum size of the room for a California Queen is 12-feet x 10-feet.
Standard King Size Bed
A King-sized mattress is good for couples who prefer a lot of space while they sleep. It also gives them enough space for various other activities including stretching, relaxing for comfort, and rambunctious sex. The dimensions are 76-inches in width and 80-inches in length.
These measurements make the bed as large as two twin XL mattresses joined together. The standard King is also the best size for couples who expect their child to share the bed with them on a regular basis and those who sleep with multiple or large pets.
Some people find a King-size mattress too big when they’re sleeping alone while others revel in having room to keep their favorite books on the bed.
The box spring versions of this size are split. They can be moved around very comfortably through tight corners and stairwells.
If you have an adjustable bed, you can opt to have a split king that allows both people to independently control the position of their side of the bed.
As noted above, infants should not co-sleep as pictured in this image. They should be in a baby box, bassinette, or other safe sleeping space so they can’t be accidentally suffocated. Older children can safely co-sleep as pictured.
Recommended Room Size
The recommended minimum room size for a standard King mattress is 10-feet x 12-feet although you’ll probably want more room.
California King Mattress Size
The California King is the largest common mattress size of them all. An Alaskan King is even larger, measuring 108 inches (9-feet) in both directions. This size is the longest standard size. The California king-sized mattresses measure 72-inches in width and 84-inches in length. This size is perfect for people who prefer more length but not extra width.
On the mattress size chart, you’ll notice it is 4-inches narrower than the standard king size mattress, but of course, you get additional 4-inches in bed length. Being smaller than the standard king bed, California king is still 6-inches broader than a queen bed. It provides you and your partner with enough room for sleeping space or to cuddle as per your convenience.
The option for California King is best for adjustable beds because elevating the bed affects the usable length. A California King sized mattress gives you plenty of room to do whatever you want on it including accommodating your children and pets who invade your bed. This size can conveniently accommodate a third person on the bed with ease.
Like a King, you can opt for a split California King for an adjustable bed.
Recommended Room Size
The minimum room size for this mattress is 12-feet x 12-feet.
Mattress Thickness
You might have noticed that we didn’t mention much about the thickness of the mattress. Well, it is because there are no standards when it comes to thickness and the options vary quite a bit. If you’re interested, you can check for more details from sleep educator terrycralle.com.
Some of them offer 9- to 10-inch thickness, but most of the pillow top beds have 15- to 16-inch depth or more (Like Dreamcloud mattress). Box springs raise the mattress even further from the ground.
When choosing the thickness of your mattress, there are a variety of things to consider.
Overall Height of the Mattress
The top of your mattress will be a combination of the height of the bed or platform plus the height of the mattress. If you will use a box spring, you have to also add the height of the box spring. Some beds are so tall you need steps to get into them. While this may look romantic, if you’re planning to have a baby, consider the difficulty of safely navigating the steps holding an infant who wants to nurse in the middle of the night when you’re exhausted.
Too much height can also be difficult for someone who has mobility issues.
However, a mattress that is too low to the ground can present other issues that make it difficult for someone with mobility issues to stand up from the bed. If mobility issues are a concern, you’ll want a total height close to that of most chairs which is about 20 – 22-inchs above the floor.
Thickness of the Mattress
Generally, the more you weigh, the thicker the mattress you’ll need not to bottom out. The minimum depth of a comfortable mattress varies by the types of materials used to make it. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are generally thicker than latex or foam mattresses.
Bedding Should Consider the Height of the Mattress and the Bed
If you opt for a traditional bedspread that reaches the floor, the height of the entire bed needs to be considered. However, be aware that bedding that hangs to the floor is not recommended by bed bug experts.
Today, most people opt for a comforter that hangs to the bottom of the box spring.
You should also consider the height of your mattress when you buy sheets. If your mattress is only 10” thick and you buy sheets for beds with a 15” thickness, the fitted sheet may be loose and wrinkle underneath you. If you buy sheets for a 10” thick mattress and your mattress is 14” thick, you’ll have difficulties getting the sheets on and they will be more likely to come off.
Conclusion
You have many options. Evaluating your current and expected needs, space, and your budget will help you narrow your choice down to one or two. Otherwise, it is overwhelming.
Make sure you have space to walk around the bed. You don’t want the daily hassle of having to perform gymnastics just to make the bed. A mattress that is too big for the room makes it feel congested.
On the average, you will require a minimum of 30-inches between your bed and the wall for a convenient path for walking around. Add sixty inches to the width on the mattress size chart and compare it to the measurements of your room. Some beds also come with drawers underneath for additional storage space. If your bed has drawers, add more than sixty inches to the measurement on the mattress size chart. Because you won’t be able to access or use the drawers if your bed is placed too close to the wall.
So there it is, now you know all about different size mattresses that you can choose for your room. The mattress size chart includes all the common sizes in the USA, UK, EU, and Canada to assist you in choosing the best option for your situation.
If you have encountered a different mattress size anywhere in the world, we’d love to hear about it in the comments.
You may also like:
- Full vs Queen Bed Size
- Queen vs King
- Twin vs. Twin XL Mattresses
- King vs. California King
- What you Need to Know About Mattress Stores Before You Shop
Mattress Charts Summary Based on Countries
USA Mattress Sizes
USA Mattress Sizes | Width Centimeters | Length Centimeters | Width Inches |
Length Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
USA Twin | 99 | 188 | 39 | 74 |
USA Twin XL | 99 | 203 | 39 | 80 |
USA Full or Double | 137 | 188 | 54 | 74 |
USA Full XL | 137 | 203 | 54 | 80 |
USA (RV) Full | 135 | 190 | 53 | 75 |
USA Queen | 152 | 203 | 60 | 80 |
USA Olympic Queen | 168 | 203 | 66 | 80 |
USA California Queen | 152 | 213 | 60 | 84 |
USA Short Queen (RV) | 152 | 190 | 60 | 75 |
USA King | 193 | 203 | 76 | 80 |
USA California King | 183 | 213 | 72 | 84 |
Canadian Bed Sizes
Canadian Mattress Sizes | Width Centimeters | Length Centimeters | Width Inches |
Length Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Half Queen | 76.2 | 202 | 30 | 79.5 |
Canadian Twin/Single | 96.5 | 189 | 38 | 74.5 |
Canadian Twin XL | 96.5 | 202 | 38 | 79.5 |
Canadian Double/Full | 134.5 | 189 | 53 | 74.5 |
Canadian Queen | 152.5 | 202 | 60 | 79.5 |
Canadian Queen (RV) | 152.5 | 189 | 60 | 74.5 |
Canadian Queen | 152.5 | 202 | 60 | 79.5 |
Canadian Western King | 183 | 213 | 72 | 84 |
Canadian Eastern King | 193 | 202 | 76 | 79.5 |
UK Bed Sizes
UK Mattress Sizes | Width Centimeters | Length Centimeters | Width Inches |
Length Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
UK Single | 90 | 190 | 35 | 75 |
UK Small Double | 120 | 190 | 47 | 75 |
UK Double | 135 | 190 | 53 | 75 |
UK King | 150 | 200 | 59 | 79 |
UK Super King | 160 | 200 | 63 | 79 |
French Mattress Sizes
French Mattress Sizes | Width Centimeters | Length Centimeters | Width Inches |
Length Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
French Single | 90 | 190 | 35.4 | 75 |
French Double/Full | 140 | 190 | 55 | 75 |
French Queen | 160 | 190 | 63 | 75 |
French King | 180 | 200 | 70.9 | 79 |
EU Mattress Sizes
EU Mattress Sizes | Width Centimeters | Length Centimeters | Width Inches |
Length Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU Single | 90 | 200 | 35 | 79 |
EU Double | 140 | 200 | 55 | 79 |
EU King | 160 | 200 | 63 | 79 |