Originally posted on https://blog.northeastfactorydirect.com/mattress-size-and-dimension-guide

 

 

 

Whether it’s your first time buying a mattress, or it’s been a while since you bought your last one, choosing a new mattress can be a big decision. Choosing what size mattress to buy isn’t easy, especially considering the array of choices available. Today, you can count on finding California king, king, queen, full XL, full, twin XL, and twin mattresses widely manufactured and sold in stores.

Mattress size is an individual preference, but understanding specific dimensions and your own expectations will help you narrow down the bed size that will serve your needs best.

We’ll break down all the mattress size terminology in this guide so you can choose the best mattress size for you, whether you’re sleeping alone or with a loved one (human or animal), or whether you like to cozy up or sprawl out.

Below, we’ll outline everything you need to know about each mattress size so you’ll feel confident when you’re ready to buy.

 

 

 

 

SIZES	DIMENSIONS	COMFORTABLY FITS
Crib	28” x 52”	1 baby
Twin	39” x 75”	1 person
Twin XL	39” x 80”	1 person
Full	54” x 75”	1 person with a pet, 2 adults with no pets
Queen	60” x 80”	1 person with a pet, 2 adults with no pets
King	76” x 80”	1 adult with pet(s) or child(ren); 2 adults with a large pet or child
Cal King	72” x 84”	1 adult with multiple pets or children; 2 adults with multiple pets or children

 

 

Bed Type: Twin

Specifications: 39 x 75

Description: Measuring 38 x 75, a twin bed is the size bed most kids sleep on through childhood. While growth spurts later in adolescence may necessitate upgrades, a twin mattress provides adequate sleeping space for solo sleepers from toddlerhood through the teen years, though most adults find a twin too small.

Details: Twin mattresses, also known as single mattresses, are slim in size, which makes them easy to fit side-by-side in shared kids bedrooms or stacked as bunk beds. Twin beds also work well in smaller guest bedrooms or odd-shaped spaces, and their smaller size makes them easy to move around.

Good for: children, single adults, anyone with a small living situation such as a studio apartment or shared room.

Not Ideal for: couples, taller adult men and women, anyone who likes to spread out when they sleep. Keep in mind that 75 inches translates to 6 foot 3.

 

 

Bed Type: Twin XL

Specifications: 39 x 80

Description: Twin XL mattresses are the same width as the Twin, but 5 inches longer. They’re the standard size for college dorm rooms since that extra length gives students room to stretch out.

Details: Whether you’re outfitting your college student’s dorm room or looking to give growing young ones more space to stretch out in a small bedroom, a twin XL’s added length gives it ample versatility for kids and students. Economical and maneuverable, twin XL mattresses are easy to move from dorm to apartment, but most adults prefer larger mattresses once circumstances allow.

Good for: taller adults or teenagers in a small living situation such as a studio apartment or shared room.

Not Ideal for: couples, anyone who likes to spread out when they sleep.

 

 

Bed Type: Full (Double)

Specifications: 54 x 75

Description: The full mattress (also known as a double mattress) offers a notable upgrade in space from a twin. At 54” x 75”, a Full size mattress provides a little over a foot more width to the bed than twin or twin XL mattresses. It used to be the standard size for couples several decades ago when homes were built smaller, but now is more commonly used for individual adults or children who can afford to have the extra space to spread out.

Details: A full mattress provides a good compromise between twin and queen mattresses. Teens who have outgrown their childhood beds will welcome the added space, while young graduates appreciate the economical price and size when trying to outfit smaller apartments. A full mattress makes a great investment, as it can eventually be used in a guest bedroom once grown children move out.

Good for: individual children or adults sleeping alone or with a pet, couples who like to cozy up without pets.

Not Ideal for: couples where one or both persons wish to have a little personal space to spread out or stretch their legs, taller adults, couples who wish to sleep with their pets.

 

 

Bed Type: Queen

Specifications: 60 x 80

Description: Queen mattresses are the most popular bed size in the US right now, and their 60” x 80” dimensions make it easy to see why. They have a width suitable for sharing, and a length that works for all but the tallest people.

Details: Whether you’re a single sleeper or sharing your bed with a partner, a queen is a mattress size you won’t outgrow over time. Most master bedrooms can accommodate a queen mattress easily, and the queen size’s popularity means that accessories and bedding are widely available in a range of price points, materials, and styles.

Good for: adults living on their own who prefer to spread out or sleep with their pets, couples who like to sleep near each other without pets, smaller master bedrooms.

Not Ideal for: couples where both people like to really spread out or who wish to sleep with their pets.

 

 

Bed Type: King

Specifications: 76 x 80

Description: Offering a luxurious amount of space, king mattresses measure 76” x 80” and are ideal for couples or single sleepers who don’t want to compromise on sleeping area. The king mattress is the same size as two twin beds side by side. This offers couples ample room to spread out, or to sleep with a large pet or children.

Details: If you’ve found queen mattresses lacking in space or you and a partner routinely share your bed with pets or young children, a king size mattress is probably a good fit for you. Though their larger size makes moving king mattresses more difficult, king beds sit atop two twin box springs pushed together to make maneuvering an entire bed into a room much easier.

Good for: couples who like to spread out, couples who like to sleep with large pets or children, larger master bedrooms (ideally 12 x 10 square feet or larger).

Not Ideal for: couples with smaller master bedrooms.

 

 

Bed Type: California King

Specifications: 72 x 84

Description: The California king mattress is the longest standard mattress size out there. Measuring 72” x 84”, California king mattresses take four inches of width from a conventional king and add it to their overall length. This size is designed for tall people whose feet hang off the end of most beds.

Details: If you’re over 6 feet tall, a Cal king will provide you with the length every other mattress size has been lacking. This size offers a wealth of space for couples to share, and its slightly narrower dimensions may make it fit more easily in certain rooms than a conventional king size mattress.

Good for: taller couples who like to spread out, couples who like to sleep with multiple large pets or children, larger master bedrooms.

Not Ideal for: couples with smaller master bedrooms.

 

 

Bed Type: Crib

Specifications: 28 x 52

Description: Crib mattresses are designed for – you guessed it – cribs for newborns and babies. These are designed for crib frames and will last until your child meets one of the following conditions: is about 18 months old, reaches 3 feet in height, or begins escaping their crib. Search for as firm a mattress as possible. Young infants aren’t able to maneuver themselves so if the mattress is too soft and their face sinks in, they are at increased risk of SIDS or suffocation.

Details:

Good for: small children less than 3 feet in height.

Not Ideal for: everyone else.

 

 

What size mattress Do I Need?

There is no “Best” bed size, only what’s best for you. When choosing which size mattress will work for you and your lifestyle, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:

How big is your room? Twin and Twin XL beds can fit in most bedrooms, including a small room of 9 feet by 9 feet. To adequately fit a Double bed and have room to walk around or fit other furniture, a bedroom should be at least 9 feet by 10 feet in size. The recommended room size for a Queen bed can vary from 10 feet by 10 feet or up to 10 feet by 14 feet depending on how much furniture you have and how much walking room you want around the bed. A king bed will need a room measuring at least 12 feet by 10 feet, but it will be a cozy fit once you add in the other furniture. A larger room will give you more walking space around your bed.

Do you sleep alone or with a partner? Generally speaking, Twin, Twin XL, and Full mattresses are most suitable for single sleepers, while Queen, King, and California King mattresses are designed for two sleepers.

Do you share your bed with children and/or pets? If a child or dog regularly crawls into bed with you, a Queen size or larger is usually necessary – even if you are a single sleeper and don’t have an adult sleep partner. If you share your bed with another adult and children visit during the night, then a King or California King will usually work best.

If you share your bed with a larger dog, then a Queen or larger may be needed. However, Twin, Twin XL, and Full mattresses may be large enough to accommodate you and a smaller dog, cat, and other smaller pets.

Can you get a custom-sized mattress?

The most common sizes, “king”, “queen”, “full”, and “twin” are not the only mattresses available for purchase. Many companies will make a custom mattress upon request. For example, some manufacturers will special-design an extremely tall mattress or a mattress that is larger than a California king. Keep in mind that it may be difficult to find bedding that will fit your custom mattress.

 

There are many different styles and mattress / bed sizes out there, and there is no right or wrong answer as to which one is right for you. Considering room size, sleeper size, future growth, and personal preference are all factors that can help you determine which size mattress would be the best fit for you. However, the most important consideration for your rest is sleeping on a comfortable and supportive mattress.