Mattress Sizes & Bed Dimensions Guide

Which size of mattress should I buy?

Last Updated on 30th May 2021 by Amanda Larsson

Choosing a bed mattress is not easy as many things are necessary to be considered. Size is one of the three important factors while you are planning to go mattress shopping. The other two factors are type and firmness. 

When selecting a mattress size, you have to consider whether you are an active sleeper? Do you share your bed with a partner, child, or pet? Are you considering changing the bedroom size along with the mattress size or not? Furthermore, the budget also makes a difference while you choose anything.

A mattress you are sharing with a partner will be big evidently. Likewise, a bed in a guest room will be comparatively smaller than in the master bedroom. These are just some of the few questions you should ask yourself when deciding the right size of bed for you and your family.

Here we have come up with a guide that includes a detailed breakdown of bed dimensions and mattress size. It also contains specifications and details that help you decide which one is the best fit for your home according to your requirements.

Mattress Size Guide
Mattress Size Guide

Mattress Sizes and Dimensions

Choosing the right mattress size boils down to some basic factors. First of all, it depends on your room size. Second, whether you are sleeping alone or with a partner.  Finally, do you have any children or pets sleeping with you.

California King Size Bed Dimensions: 72 inches by 84 inches

The California king-size mattress is 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower than a king-size bed mattress. The mattress is a good choice for:

  • Rooms which are at least 12 x 12 feet
  • For couples and active sleepers
  • It is an incredible choice for parents who sleep with their kids
  • Tall people will find this mattress comfortably spacious
  • Also suitable if your pet sleeps on your bed.

Split options:

The California King-size bed mattress is the widest standard size available, and it comes with split options. Split size mattress will let partners share their bed without compromising on their comfort preferences. For instance, if your partner loves a super comfy bed and you like medium-firm, a split mattress will let you set up both accordingly.

King Size Bed Dimensions: 76 inches by 80 inches

A king-size bed is the widest among all the beds available. The King bed mattress is around 76” W x 80” L. The bed is four inches wider than a California king-size bed and four-inch shorter in length. Considering King Size bed it is as big as two extra-large twin mattresses. The mattress is a good choice for:

  • Rooms which are at least 12 x 12 feet
  • If you share the bed with your partner, both of them will have more than thirty inches of the sleeping area.
  • For active sleepers
  • For those sharing a bed with a child or pet

Split options:

The split king mattress will allow both partners complete comfortable sleep without compromising on preferences. A split king bed is also a good choice for sleepers who buy adjustable bed frames for their use.

Queen Mattress Dimensions: 60 inches by 80 inches

Queen size bed is most widely used be in homes. The reasons for its popularity are it can fit almost in any room and can accommodate more than one sleeper. The size of mattresses are sixty inches by eighty inches. The mattress is a good choice for:

  • Rooms which are ten by ten feet
  • For guest rooms so you can conveniently accommodate extra people in your home for few days

The Queen Size bed is good for couples and provides incredibly spacious room for active single sleepers. Most importantly, Queen Size beds are the budget-friendly choice for every house holder. When you are buying Queen Size bed, you will get:

  • 60” space for single active sleepers.
  • If you share your bed with your partner, you will get 30” of space to sleep.
  • A person with six feet height will get an extra eight inches of space to sleep (when they are active sleepers).

Full Size Bed Dimensions: 53 inches by 75 inches

The Full-size bed mattress is also known as a double bed used for single sleepers. The Full-size mattress is around 53 inches by 75 inches in size. The mattress is a good choice for small rooms and best suited for a single person. The recommended room size for a twin bed mattress is nine feet six inches by ten feet.

The full-size mattress is not a good choice for couples or people who sleep with kids or pets. For individuals, it provides a spacious and comfortable place to sleep. When you compare it with twin beds, it offers sixteen inches more space to rest than twin and XL twin bed mattresses.

The double bed mattress or full-size be mattress is right on the budget, and you can keep it as a spare bed without making your home look overcrowded. It is also a good choice in comparatively smaller guest rooms.

Twin XL Size Bed Dimensions: 38 inches by 80 inches

The size of the XL twin bed mattress is 38’ W x 80’L. The recommended room size for a bed is nine feet six inches by ten feet and six inches.

Twin XL mattress is suitable for tall teenage children or taller adult individual sleepers. It is an excellent choice as a spare bed so your guest might not feel discomfort while they sleep on it. The twin XL bed fits right into the budget and does not make your home overloaded with extra furniture.

Most importantly, a twin XL large bed mattress is a good choice for California king size when you buy split mattresses for your bed. You might find only one trouble which is finding the right bed cover for the bed.

Twin Size Bed Dimensions: 38 inches by 75 inches

Twin mattress for bed is smallest mattress size which is used for individual single sleepers. The size of the mattress is thirty-eight inches by seventy-five inches. Being one of the smallest beds, it is recommended for room size seven feet by ten inches.

Twin size mattress is a good choice for teenage kids until they say goodbye to the college. It is also suitable as a bunker bed and fits perfectly into small guest rooms. You can also keep them in your home as an extra bed without making your home look overloaded.

The Twin size mattress fits right into the budget and smaller rooms. However, fully grown adults, notably taller ones, will feel discomfort sleeping on Twin beds.

Other factors to consider when choosing mattress size

Height:

Consider your height before selecting the size of the mattress. The recommended mattress size is that it should be longer, around six inches from the height of the person sleeping on it.

According to a study in America, the average height of people is 175 cm (69 inches) and 162 cm (63.6 inches) for women. That means you should buy at least a twin bed mattress to get a comfortable proper sleep.

If you are taller than the average size, go for an XL twin-size bed mattress if you prefer small beds. A standard king-size mattress or standard queen-size mattress is perfect in length for couples with average height.

Body Size:

Body size defines the width of the mattress you want for your home. The king-size and queen-size mattresses provide extra width.  When you are looking for a bed for two, California king size will act as real estate for couples with the extra space they provide.

Single vs Double:

It is a prominent factor you need a double bed for couples and singles if you sleep alone. Standard king and queen size beds are good choices for people who sleep with their pets or minor children.

Room size and dimensions:

Consider room size and bed dimensions along with mattress size for a perfect fit. The size of the bed is dictated not only by the four walls of the room. There are many other things to be considered as well. For instance, the furniture in your room, doors location, fixtures of electrical outlets and lights, etc.

You should consider that there is enough circulation space in the room after installing the bed. That means you can easily roam into your room without any obstruction and easily reach chairs, dressers, and wardrobes.

The room layout also matters, the odd-shaped rooms or rooms with unmovable fixtures like built-in wardrobes and wall-mounted lights restrict the location and size of the bed. The standard clear space around and end of the bed range is from thirty to thirty-six inches.

Partner comfort:

When you are sharing a bed with your partner, you must consider the comfort of your partner. When your partner is an active sleeper and moves a lot, you can choose a mattress with suitable motion isolation property.

Likewise, if you prefer a soft mattress and your partner is comfortable on a firm mattress, try to select split mattresses. A king or queen bed mattress with isolation properties or split twin mattress works best for couples.

Budget:

Budget is also one of the important factors while buying a mattress for your room. Standard size bed mattresses are generally economical than California and Olympic size mattresses. Consider all factors and then choose accordingly.

Conclusion

The proper mattress size and bed dimensions can lead to a comfortable sleep. All you need to do is pay extra attention to size, material, and dimensions before making your purchase. Rest comfortably – Rise healthy, happy, and fresh!