Bed size

Single size bed

Bed size refers to the dimensions of a mattress and the names by which standard sizes are called. Beds themselves vary widely in size according to the degree of ornamentation but are sold according to the size of mattress they take. The dimensions and names vary considerably around the world, with most countries having their own standards and terminology.

Modern sizes in metric system countries are 200 centimetres (79 in) long: domestic double beds are either 140 centimetres (55 in) or 160 centimetres (63 in) wide. The traditional double size standard among English speaking countries, based on the imperial measurement is 4'6" by 6'3" (54 by 75 inches (137 by 191 cm)) but the sizes for other bed types tend to vary.

Table of sizes

Mattress size (width × length)

	N. America[1]	Australia[2]	UK/Ireland[3]	Continental Europe Latin America	Japan[4]
Single/twin	39in × 75in .97 m × 1.91 m	36in × 75in .92 m x 1.87 m	36in × 75in .9 m × 1.90 m	35.4in × 79in .9 m × 2 m	38in × 77in .97 m × 1.95 m
Double/full	54in × 75in 1.37 m × 1.91 m	54in × 75in 1.37 m x 1.87 m	54in × 75in 1.37 m × 1.91 m	55in × 79in 1.4 m × 2.00 m	55in × 77in 1.4 m × 1.95 m
Queen King (UK/Ire.) Wide Double (Japan)	60in × 80in 1.52 m × 2.03 m		60in × 78in 1.5 m × 2 m	63in × 79in 1.6 m × 2 m	61in × 77in 1.54 m × 1.95 m
Olympic Queen Queen (Japan)	66in × 80in 1.68 m × 2.03 m				67in × 77in 1.7 m × 1.95 m
King Super King (UK/Ire.)	76in × 80in 1.93 m × 2.03 m	72in × 80in 1.83 m × 2.03 m	72in × 78in 1.83 m × 1.98 m	75in × 79in 1.90 m × 2 m	76in × 77in 1.94 m × 1.95 m
California King King Long (Japan)	72in × 84in 1.83 m × 2.13 m				76in × 81in 1.94 m × 2.05 m

Note that, for North American and British/Irish beds, the sizes are specified in US customary units or Imperial units and the metric equivalents given are approximate. For Latin America, mainland Europe, and Japan, the sizes are specified in metric and the imperial equivalents given are approximate.

Standard sizes in the United States and Canada

Standard North American sizes

A pillow top queen-size mattress.

Modern manufacturing conventions have resulted in a limited number of standard sizes of commercial bedding for mattresses and box springs. Imported beds vary by country of origin as per the table above.

These dimensions are for the mattress—the actual bed frame will be a little larger in order to fully encompass and support the mattress. The thickness of the mattress may vary considerably.

A king-sized bed may have a king-sized box spring (bed base), or two smaller box-springs under a king-sized mattress. It is a common misconception that on a North American standard or eastern king, the (two) box springs are (each) identical in size to a twin extra-long. However, two twin extra-long mattresses next to each other add up to 78 inches (200 cm) wide instead of the 76-inch (190 cm) width that is standard for an eastern king.

Other North American sizes

Twin extra long

39 in × 80 in (.99 m × 2.03 m)

This size is common in college dormitories.

Three quarter

48 in × 75 in (1.22 m × 1.9 m) often (47-48) in × 72 in. sizing varies.

This size is considered obsolete by the major manufacturers.

Super single

48 in × 84 in (1.22 m × 2.13 m)Typically a waterbed size

Full extra long

53 in × 80 in

Olympic queen

66 in × 80 in (1.68 m × 2.03 m) a novelty size by Simmons

Eastern king

76 in × 80 in (1.93 m × 2.03 m)

An alternative name for a North American king

California queen

60 in × 84 in (1.52 m × 2.13 m)

California king

72 in × 84 in (1.83 m × 2.13 m)

A common size on the west coast, also called a western king, West Coast king, Cal king, or WC king.

Other

In Mexico, the length of older beds is sometimes 1.9 metres instead of 2.^{[citation needed]}

UK and Ireland sizes

Most modern beds/mattresses sold in the UK and Ireland are constructed using imperial dimensions^[3] but are sometimes sold in their (very) approximate metric equivalents.^[5]

Toddler bed 

(about 70 cm x 140 cm)

Small single 

30" by 72" (about 75 cm x 180 cm)

Standard single 

36" x 75", also sold as 90 cm by 190 cm.^[3]

Prince aka small double or three quarter 

48" by 75" (approximately 120 cm x 190 cm). Not widely available

Standard double 

54" x 75", also sold as 135 cm by 190 cm.^[3]

King 

60" x 78", also sold as 150 cm by 200 cm.^[3]

Super King 

72" x 78", also sold as 180 cm by 200 cm.^[3]

Larger sizes are available by special order, such as 'Eastern king' (78 in (200 cm) wide), 'Emperor' (84 in (210 cm) wide) 'Large Emperor' (215 cm) and 'Caesar' (96 in (240 cm) wide).

Mainland European basic sizes [see next] are sold in the UK, notably from IKEA: these are sometimes known as "IKEA size beds".^[6]

Mainland European size beds are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, especially the European King size (160 cm x 200 cm) as contemporary Italian beds & furniture become more popular. It is now relatively easy to buy Euro King mattresses from suppliers like Tempur & Vispring.^[7]

Mainland European sizes

Modern mainland Europe practice is to refer to a bed by explicit width or size ("80 cm bed" or "80 × 200 cm bed").^{[citation needed]} In France and Spain, the length of older beds is sometimes 190 centimetres instead of 200.^{[citation needed]}. Other sizes found include:

Extra small single

75 cm × 200 cm (30 in × 79 in)

Small single

80 cm × 200 cm (31 in × 79 in)

Long single

90 cm × 220 cm (35.4 in × 86.6 in)

Large single

100 cm × 200 cm (39 in × 79 in)

Ikea

In most countries of mainland Europe, due to its cross-border retail prominence, IKEA's own sizing is common. Mattress sizes offered are:
80 cm × 200 cm (31 in × 79 in)
90 cm × 200 cm (35 in × 79 in)
140 cm × 200 cm (55 in × 79 in)
160 cm × 200 cm (63 in × 79 in)
With the assumption that two 90 cm wide mattresses may be combined for a
180 cm × 200 cm (71 in × 79 in) bed.

Italy

In Italy, beds are classified by width. Sizes often used are:

Una piazza or Singolo 

80–90 cm (31–35 in) wide

Una piazza e mezza

120 cm (47 in) wide

Piazza francese

140 cm (55 in) wide

Due piazze or Matrimoniale

160–180 cm (63–71 in) wide

Tre piazze or Osimano

200–400 cm (79–157 in) wide

Netherlands

Most mattress sizes in the Netherlands are also available in extra long, meaning 220 cm instead of 200 cm.

Norway

In the Scandinavian countries, standards vary from one country to another. In Norway, these sizes are used:

Small single

75 cm × 200 cm (30 in × 79 in)

Single

90 cm × 200 cm (35 in × 79 in)

Large single

120 cm × 200 cm (47 in × 79 in)

Queen

150 cm × 200 cm (60 in × 79 in — equal to two small single mattresses)

King

180 cm × 200 cm (71 in × 79 in — equal to two single mattresses)

Beds/mattresses are often available also in extra long 220 cm (87 in) length. To cover the California king size mattress, waterbeds are also sold in Europe with size of 180 cm × 210 cm. Some older beds are only 190 cm (75 in) long, while antique beds often are even shorter (since they in older times often slept in a reclined position rather than the close to supine position which is common today^{[citation needed]}, and also, on average, people are taller now than they used to be).

Australian sizes

Australian sizes

Australian standard mattress sizes.

Single 

92 cm × 188 cm (36 in × 74 in)

Single Extra Long 

92 cm × 203 cm (36 in × 80 in)

King Single 

107 cm × 203 cm (42 in × 80 in)

Double 

138 cm × 188 cm (54 in × 74 in)

Queen 

153 cm × 203 cm (60 in × 80 in)

King 

183 cm × 203 cm (72 in × 80 in)

New Zealand sizes

The following bed sizes are available in New Zealand:

Single 

90 cm × 190 cm (35 in × 72 in)

Long single 

90 cm × 203 cm (35 in × 80 in)

King single 

105 cm × 203 cm (41 in × 80 in)

Double

135 cm × 190 cm (53 in × 72 in)

Queen 

152 cm × 203 cm (60 in × 80 in)

King 

165 cm × 203 cm (65 in × 80 in)

Super king 

180 cm × 203 cm (71 in × 80 in)

Californian king 

200 cm × 203 cm (79 in × 80 in)

See also

Design portal

• Bed
• Bed frame
• Bed sheet
• Mattress

References

1. ^ Canadian and US Mattress Sizes
2. ^ Australian & International mattress & bed size dimensions
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f} NBF Guidelines: Standard Bed Sizes – National Bed Federation (UK)
4. ^ ベッドのサイズについて - Bed sizes in Japan
5. ^ Mattresses at John Lewis John Lewis
6. ^ Odd size beds.co.uk. "Ikea/ European Size Mattresses". http://www.oddsizebeds.co.uk/products/special-sizes/ikea-european-size-mattresses-products.html. Retrieved 2010-08-10. 
7. ^ Contemporary beds in the UK Contemporary bed sizes explained

External links

• What Size Mattress? from The Better Sleep Council