One of the most common requests we receive is for a complete guide to mattress sizes. There are so many different mattress sizes out there that most people are simply confused when mattress shopping.
To make your life easier, we’ve collated the details of every mattress size available including any alternative names or references to each size, hopefully giving you an easier time the next time you’re looking for a replacement mattress or a new bed base.
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A well-priced memory foam mattress that performs well.
Mattress Dimensions Comparison Chart
| Type | Size (Inches) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Crib Mattress | 28 x 52 | Small babies |
| Toddler Mattress | 28 x 52 | Toddlers |
| Small Single | 30 x 75 | Small children |
| Twin | 38 x 75 | Larger children, teenagers and adults |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | Larger children, teenagers and taller adults |
| Full (Double) | 54 x 75 | Great for a single sleeper or two sleepers |
| Full XL (Double XL) | 54 x 80 | Perfect for single sleepers and good for couples who can’t fit a larger bed into their room. |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | The most common choice and perfect for both single sleepers and most couples. |
| Olympic Queen | 66 x 80 | Six Inches wider than a standard queen, great for those who require additional width. |
| King | 76 x 80 | The perfect choice for couples who want the maximum amount of personal sleeping space. |
| California King | 72 x 84 | 4 inches longer but 4 inches narrower than a standard king size. Great for taller people. |
Mattress Sizes
Crib Mattress (28 x 52)
Crib mattresses are designed to fit into baby and toddler cribs. They will likely be suitable for your child until they reach the age of 18 months old or begin learning how to escape from their crib.
Your baby’s crib mattress should be as firm as possible to avoid the potential for SIDS, suffocation and other sleep related incidents.
Toddler Mattress (28 x 52)
The toddler mattress has exactly the same dimensions as the crib mattress but they’re usually much softer in nature. They’re also designed to be placed into toddler bed frames instead of cribs.
Toddler beds can be specified with detachable safety rails to prevent accidental falls during the night. If your child is large enough it is possible to skip the toddler bed altogether and go straight to a small single.
Small Single Mattress (30 x 70)
Small single mattresses can either be placed onto a normal bed base or onto a toddler bed frame. The choice is yours and depends on your child’s stage of development.
Twin Mattress (38 x 75)
The twin mattress is able to accommodate most children as well as small to medium sized adults. Perfect for smaller rooms or if you need to maximize living space.
Twin XL Mattress (38 x 80)
The Twin XL is a longer version of the twin mattress that is best suited to taller people. Its important to note that no additional width is available with a twin xl. Perfect for college dorms and small bedrooms.
As a side note, its possible to place two twin xl mattresses onto a king size bed frame if you sleep next to someone with a difference firmness preference in mattresses.
Full / Double Mattress (54 x 75)
The full or double mattress is usually the smallest mattress size that most adults are comfortable sleeping on. Good horizontal and vertical space is provided which should meet most lone sleeper’s needs.
A couple who don’t require any additional space can also be accommodated well by a double mattress. As an interesting fact, the double mattress was at one point considered the standard size for two people sleeping in the same bed. Also great for an RV.
Full XL / Double XL Mattress (54 x 80)
The full or double xl mattress is a longer version of the standard full-size mattress. If you’re a taller person but don’t require any additional width, this mattress size is ideal.
Queen Mattress (60 x 80)
The queen size mattress is the new standard for most people, whether they sleep alone or next to a partner. They provide adequate space for 99% of people with most seeing no reason to upgrade to a larger size.
Once this size is reached, its important to start thinking about whether a bed this large will fit into your bedroom.
Olympic Queen Mattress (66 x 80)
The Olympic queen size mattress isn’t as common as the standard version but makes for a great upgrade if you need even more width. It will sleep two people with ample space left over and is perfect if your children or pets often climb into bed with you.
King / Eastern King Mattress (76 x 80)
As the name suggests, the king size mattress is truly fit for a king. Exceptionally wide and exceptionally long, this mattress size is designed to accommodate anyone whether you’re a lone sleeper or sleep with a partner.
As mentioned, a king size bed frame can accommodate two twin mattresses if one partner likes soft mattresses and the other likes firm mattresses.
A bed of this size requires a bedroom that measures at least 12 feet by 10 feet. Any smaller and there wont be enough room to comfortably move around or place other items of furniture.
California / Western King Mattress (72 x 84)
The largest mattress size of all, the Cal King is a behemoth, designed for the largest of people and the largest of rooms. It’s the longest mattress you can buy unless you’re making a custom order with a bed retailer.
As with the standard king size, be sure to measure your bedroom first to ensure a good fit.
Mattress Size vs Mattress Thickness
One point of confusion is in reference to mattress area vs the thickness of a mattress. Contrary to common belief, it’s possible to specify a thick mattress in almost any mattress size, allowing you to go super plush even if you’re only looking to buy a twin mattress. Great news for consumers looking for luxury mattresses.
Common mattress thickness dimensions range from 6 inches thick to as tall as 16 inches thick. If you want thicker still, some manufacturers will even sell you a 20 inch thick mattress.
Larger, heavier people will often need a thicker mattress. We suggest adhering to the following weight guidelines:
Light People (less than 130 pounds)
Light sleepers are usually better suited to a mattress no more than 10 inches thick. Such a mattress will provide adequate support for such a lightweight individual while still being soft enough.
As a plus, you’ll also have an easier time climbing onto and off a thinner mattress.
Average People (130 to 230 pounds)
Most people fit somewhere into this category. If that sounds like you, a mattress that is anywhere between 8 and 12 inches thick should be adequate. This is also the most common mattress category for combo sleepers.
This thickness range offers the perfect balance of comfort and support.
Heavy People (230+ pounds)
Heavier people need greater support from their mattresses, so we suggest a minimum of 10 inches with most people better suited to 12 inches or more if they occupy this weight group.
Thicker mattresses will not sag as much as thinner ones which means you’ll be supported and remain comfortable throughout the night.
One important consideration is that higher-profile mattresses tend to be more expensive than lower-profile beds. This is because thicker mattresses usually contain more layers of padding and support material, including foam, latex, spring coils, and other expensive components. If you’re mattress shopping on a budget, a lower-profile bed may be the most cost-effective solution.
Bedroom Size Requirements
As much as we’d all like to be sleeping on a California King bed, physics is often the greatest barrier to achieving this ambition.
The average bedroom is 12 feet by 11 feet which is just about large enough to comfortably install a king size bed. If your bedroom is smaller than average, you’re going to have to downsize instead.
If you live in a larger home with a master bedroom, it is more likely to be 16 feet by 14 feet which is much more suitable for a king or Cal King bed.
Mattress Size FAQ
There are several more questions that we’re commonly asked. Here are the most frequent:
What Size Mattress Do I Need?
That is entirely up to you.
If you’re replacing an existing mattress, you’re going to be constrained by the bed frame or base and will have to keep the size the same unless you want to upgrade both components.
If you’re buying an all new bed, simply buy the size that will fit into your bedroom and is large enough for your personal sleeping arrangements.
Can Two People Sleep in a Full Size Bed?
Many couples share a full-size mattress. The two greatest factors are the size of each individual and how much each of you like to spread out. To help you visualize, each person will have 27 inches of sleeping space when sharing a full bed.
What’s the Difference Between a Full and a Double?
Mattress brands and manufacturers use these two terms interchangeably. ‘Double’ is an older term which isn’t used as much as ‘Full’ these days. Full and double mattresses are both shorter than a queen so bear that in mind if you’re a taller than average person.
What’s the Difference Between a Twin and a Single?
These two terms are also often used interchangeably but there can also be a difference amongst certain manufacturers. Its very important to check the exact dimensions against those we’ve listed above for these two mattress sizes.
Can I Buy a Custom Sized Mattress?
If you’re a contender for worlds tallest man or woman, it is possible to buy a mattress even larger than a king or California King. You need to approach a mattress producer or find a company that specializes in custom built mattresses.
Such beds are often called the Alaska King or Wyoming King and usually come in at anywhere between 7 foot by 7 and 9 foot by 9. Needless to say, these mattresses dwarf even the Cal King which ‘only’ measures in at 72 inches by 84 inches.
Are There Different Mattress Sizes for RVs?
Recreational vehicles such as RVs are often limited by how much space is available internally. Because of this, many companies produce mattresses that are designed specifically for RVs.
They’re usually narrower and shorter and are typically much thinner than most conventional mattresses. Some people also choose to use folding or floor mattresses in their RV as well as inflatable camping mattresses.
What is the Most Popular Mattress Size?
As you might have guessed, the standard queen is the most common and popular mattress size for adults. This size is then split between memory foam and innerspring mattresses depending on individual preferences for mattress type.
Do I Need Bed Sheets and a Topper That are the Same Size as My Bed?
The simple answer is yes. If you own fitted sheets, you’ll need to ensure that they’re an exact fit for your mattress in terms of depth, length and width. A fitted sheet generally needs to be two inches deeper than the thickness or height of your mattress.
Bedding that isn’t fitted but is slightly too large for your bed is less of an issue. That is because any excess material will simply hang off the bed. The downside is that any excess material is likely to get dirtier faster.
Are There Different Sizes of Pillow?
There are several different sizes of pillow which are designed to be matched with a mattress of your choice. The smallest and most common pillow size is ‘standard’ (20 x 26) and is sufficient for twin and full-size mattresses.
Some people such as restless sleepers prefer a larger pillow. ‘Super standard’ (20 x 28), ‘queen’ (20 x 30), and ‘king’ (20 x 36) are also available if you fall into this category.
You can also consider a body pillow (dimensions vary) which are ideal for side sleepers, pregnant women and those who enjoy cradling their pillow.
Final Verdict
Now you know everything there is to know about mattress sizing. If you’re buying a new bed, simply review each set of dimensions for your chosen mattress and match them up to what you already have.
If you’re replacing really old bedding, it might be the case that you’ll struggle to find the original size as its no longer in production. In those instances, you can use our comparison chart to find the next best fit instead.
