A Mattress Size Guide

This mattress size guide was written to help you determine the perfect size mattress for any bedroom in your house. Knowing the right size mattress to buy can help you if:

• you and your partner can’t get comfortable together
• maybe you sleep with your dog(s)
• your feet hang off the bed
• you have a lot of guests staying at your house
• your children are growing fast

So many people do not realize how important the right size (and type) of mattress can affect their sleep and overall well being. The following mattress size guide will help you to consider numerous factors when selecting a new bed.

Mattress Size Chart

Twin & Twin XL Size Mattresses

Besides a crib-sized mattress, the smallest mattress size available is a twin mattress. The dimensions of a twin mattress are about 75 inches long by 38 inches wide. Both full and twin size mattresses are about 75 inches long, which is too small for most adults, particularly men.

Suggestions: A twin XL may be a practical option for people who have narrow bedrooms. The XL Is lengthy enough, but is only about 38 inches wide. You’ll find the XL twin in many college dorms.

Full Size Mattress

Even though it is still referred to as a double mattress, a full-size mattress is 53 inches in width, which is only 15 inches wider than a single twin-size. As such, each person sleeping in the bed has only 27 inches of personal space to lay in, which is about as wide as a baby’s crib. Both full and twin-sizes are about 75 inches in length, which may be too small for many adults.

Suggestions: A full-size bed provides just enough room for a single person, but only if they are shorter than 5’5”. Parents with teenagers are better off selecting an XL mattress for them instead.

Queen Size Mattress

The dimensions of a queen-size mattress are about 80 inches long by 60 inches wide, which is 5 inches longer and 6 inches wider than a full-size mattress. These extra inches can make a big difference when it comes to comfortability, particularly for couples. As such, the queen-size mattress is one of the more popular sizes for those who don’t sleep alone.

Suggestions: Queen-size mattresses are ideal for smaller master bedrooms, guest rooms, and for couples who want to sleep nearby one another. Queen sizes are perfect for those who sleep with their bodies sprawled-out.

King & California King Size Mattresses

The dimensions for a king-size mattress are approximately 80 inches long by 76 inches wide, which is about 18 inches wider than a queen. Couples have 38 inches or so of personal space. Actually, a couple of extra-long twin beds pushed together are just about the same size, which is an alternative for a guest room if the sleeping arrangements need to be customized.

Suggestions: A king-size mattress is the perfect option for couples who want as much personal sleeping space as possible. They also leave enough room for kids and pets to lay on as well. That said, size can be an issue. Even with a couple of twin-size structures to support it to make a king set more accommodating, the mattress may be too large for some bedrooms, and too bulky to convey through doors, corridors, elevators and stairwells. It’s is prudent to measure these areas prior to purchasing a king-size mattress.

People who are very tall (6′ 2″ or taller) may want to consider the “California King Mattress”, which is about 84 inches long by 72 inches wide, which is 4 inches thinner and 4 inches longer than a typical king. This mattress size is perfect for people that find their feet hanging off a queen or king size bed.