Shopping for a new mattress? Instead of defaulting to the same size as your last one, you may want to use this as an opportunity to see which mattress size is truly best for your sleep needs and preferences. According to Andy Bloom, owner of Home Mattress Center, you need to consider who’ll be using the bed (and for how long), the size of the room it will be placed in and your budget to find the ideal size.
Our mattress size guide includes more than 20 types of mattresses to help you determine which size ... [+]
In addition to the six standard mattress sizes (twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king), there’s a whole slew of specialty mattress sizes to consider for unique purposes or spaces. In this mattress size guide, we share the dimensions of each mattress, along with expert advice about who it’s best for and our favorite mattresses in each size.
- Best Twin Mattresses
- Best Twin XL Mattresses
- Best Queen Mattresses
- Best King Mattresses
- Best Split King Mattresses
- Best California King Mattresses
- Best Oversized Mattresses
- Best Crib Mattresses
Six Standard Mattress Sizes Most Brands Offer
These “standard” mattress sizes are the easiest to find in stores and online, as well as the most common bedding sizes. Keep in mind that the height or thickness of any size mattress will vary depending on the materials and brand.
The six most common mattress sizes are twin, twin xl, full, queen, king and California king.
California King Mattresses
Dimensions: 72 inches wide x 84 inches long
The California king mattress is the largest standard mattress, providing a full 6 feet of width and 7 feet of length. It’s a bit narrower than a standard king, but also 4 inches longer.
It’s an ideal fit for larger or taller people, families who bed share and couples who appreciate their personal space but still want to technically share a bed. As Rihanna says, “In this California king bed, we’re 10,000 miles apart.”
These beds are roomy to be sure, but one potential downside is that you most likely need to order bedding online or shop for it at a specialty bedding store—and the mattress will swallow up all but the most spacious of bedrooms.
Our favorite California king mattress is the Saatva Classic, since you and your partner can choose your preferred firmness level. Also, its hybrid construction all but guarantees a supportive sleep surface.
King Mattresses
Dimensions: 76 inches wide x 80 inches long
King mattresses are large, spacious mattresses for couples who value their space or who occasionally share their bed with pets or kids. A standard King is wider than California king mattresses, but also slightly shorter—so they have a different footprint in your bedroom and allow for a little more floorspace at the foot of the bed. They still take up a great deal of real estate, though.
Still, Kelly Wernersbach, owner of Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique, recommends a king mattress for all couples in any room that it can fit—even if it just barely fits. “Unless you like to dance in your bedroom and need the space for that,” she says, “having the space for healthy and sound sleep should be the primary factor.”
We like the king-sized Nectar Premier Copper Mattress. It’s infused with cooling copper fibers to help draw heat away from your body, and you can choose between a hybrid or foam model for the perfect level of comfort and support for you and your partner.
Queen Mattresses
Dimensions: 60 inches wide x 80 inches long
A full 16 inches narrower than a king mattress, the queen is a great choice for couples who don’t have the space for a larger mattress in their bedroom. Still, with two average-sized adults, there won’t be much extra wiggle room for kids or pets who may want to share the mattress too.
According to Bloom, queen-sized mattresses are the most commonly sold bed because they’re comfortable and practical. “They strike a perfect balance between space and versatility,” he says.
One queen mattress we highly recommend is the Leesa Studio. With a modest price point of less than $800 (yes, for a queen), this foam mattress provides medium-firm support and has earned a Greenguard Gold certification—signifying low emissions of potentially harmful chemicals.
Full Mattresses
Dimensions: 53 or 54 inches wide x 75 inches long
Although full-sized mattresses may at first seem a little too large for an individual, this mattress size would be pretty cramped for couples unless they are both smaller-framed.
This makes the full a great option for young children who are sharing a bedroom where a bunk bed isn’t an option, or for individuals who want to be able to sprawl out on their mattress.
Our top pick for a full-size mattress is the Helix Midnight Luxe, a medium support hybrid bed that offers just the right amount of support and will comfortably accommodate most sleepers regardless of their age, size or sleeping position preferences.
Twin XL Mattresses
Dimensions: 38 inches wide x 80 inches long
A mainstay in college dorms, the twin XL is a twin mattress with a few extra inches of length added to make it a better fit for adults.
These mattresses are ideal for growing kids and teens, as well as solo adults—although they don’t provide the same sprawling capacity as full sized mattresses.
One of our favorite twin XL mattresses is the Earthfoam Mattress. This mattress is made from fully organic wool, latex and cotton. My youngest child is currently sleeping on an Earthfoam mattress, and I can attest that it’s extremely comfortable—I occasionally nap on it myself.
Twin Mattresses
Dimensions: 38 inches wide x 75 inches long
Twin mattresses are made for solo sleepers, and they’re particularly well-suited to children. They do work just fine for average-sized individual adults too, but those on the taller side may want to go for the twin XL, while broader adults may prefer a full.
For a twin mattress for kids, we recommend the Eco Organic Kids Mattress from Avocado. It’s made from organic and natural materials, and is free from chemical flame retardants and fiberglass. With 7 inches of height, it fits nicely on just about any trundle bed or bunkbed.
17 Less Common Mattress Sizes
There are also many other mattress sizes that are less widely available, but still worth considering in certain cases. Here are a few of the less-common sizes you may come across.
Children’s Mattresses
These small mattresses are well-suited for toddlers and children and can be used in cribs or on narrow bed frames.
- Crib size mattresses: 28 inches wide x 58 inches long
- Small single mattresses: 30 inches wide x 75 inches long
Travel Mattresses
These mattresses are designed to fit RVs and campers. They are smaller than standard sizes in most cases to fit the smaller dimensions of an RV. There are various bunk sizes available, including several that aren’t listed here, because many of the sleeping spaces in RVs are made to fit the RV rather than the other way around.
- RV bunk mattresses: 28-35 inches wide x 75-80 inches long
- Short full mattresses: 48 inches wide x 75 inches long
- Short queen mattresses: 60 inches wide x 75 inches long
- Short king mattresses: 72 inches wide x 75 inches long
In-Between Sizes
These uncommonly-sized mattresses bridge the gap between some of the standard sizes.
- Full XL mattresses: 54 inches wide x 80 inches long
- Olympic queen mattresses: 66 inches wide x 80 inches long
Split Mattresses
Split mattresses are made of two individual mattresses that share a bed frame. They are a perfect fit for couples who have vastly different mattress preferences, and they come highly recommended by Wernersbach for the “independent comfort” they provide. If you’re considering a split adjustable base, which lets you lift and lower the head and foot of the bed, this is the kind of mattress you will need.
- Split queen mattresses: two side-by-side 30 inch wide x 80 inch long mattresses
- Split king mattresses: two side-by-side 38 inch wide x 80 inch long mattresses
- Split California king mattresses: two side-by-side 36 inch wide x 84 inch long mattresses
Oversized Mattresses
Oversized mattresses are larger and wider than even California king beds, making them ideal for large bed-sharing families. Keep in mind that finding bedding that fits these sizes of mattresses can be particularly challenging, so you may want to consult with the manufacturer about your options when it comes to buying sheets and duvets for an oversized mattress.
- Texas king mattresses: 98 inches wide x 80 inches long
- Wyoming king mattresses: 84 inches wide x 84 inches long
- Vermont king mattress: 96 inches wide x 96 inches long
- Alaskan king mattresses: 108 inches wide x 108 inches long
- Family bed: 120 inches wide x 80 inches long
- Family bed XL: 144 inches wide x 84 inches long
What To Consider When Choosing A Mattress Size
Ready to make a decision about your mattress size? Here are a few key considerations.
Who’s Using The Mattress
First, who’s going to be using the mattress? If it’s just you, then consider your size, sleeping habits and preferences to help you decide between a twin, twin XL, full or even a queen if you’re particularly fond of a large bed space. If it’s you and a partner, consider these factors for each of you to help determine whether a queen, king or California king would be the right fit.
For children, you may also want to do some advance planning. A mattress can usually last between seven and 10 years, so think about the size mattress your child will need in a decade. If your lanky tween will probably be 6 feet tall in his mid- to late teens, you may want to go ahead and skip the twin in favor of the twin XL.
Room Size
Your bed will most likely be the largest piece of furniture in your bedroom, so it’s important that you pick one that fits neatly in the space and still allows for other furniture and plenty of space to walk freely.
It’s a good idea to know the dimensions of your room, as well as the other pieces of furniture you have or want in the space, so that you can accurately determine what size mattress will most comfortably fit in your room.
Price
Price is another important consideration. Naturally, larger mattresses are more expensive, and the bedding to outfit those mattresses will be pricier as well. Even if you’ve got the square footage for a California king, you may be working with a queen budget. Generally, you can expect every size up to cost about $100 to $300 more, but this can vary significantly between brands.
Best Mattress Sizes For Single Sleepers
The best mattress sizes for single adult sleepers include:
- Twin: A short or average-sized adult may do just fine in a standard twin, but Wernersbach says that most of her twin-sized mattress sales are for children and adolescents.
- Twin XL: The twin XL is ideal for bedrooms with limited space, but still provides that extra 5 inches of length to comfortably accommodate most adults.
- Full: A full is a roomy choice for an individual, allowing for plenty of room to spread out or toss and turn with impunity. Bloom says it’s also ideal for a guest bedroom, since it’s a space-saving option that could still sleep two people if needed.
Best Mattress Sizes For Couples
For couples, here are the best mattress sizes:
- Queen: Bloom and Wernersbach both agree that the queen size bed is a great option for couples. Like the king size bed, Bloom says a queen bed “accommodates both partners, allowing for movement and comfort.”
- King: Wernersbach considers the king bed the gold standard for couples. “The king allows for so much more healthy sleep,” she says, “No breathing on each other, absolutely less motion and just having more room. You absolutely do sleep better with more of your own space.”
- California king: Finally, the California king—which is a bit narrower and longer than the standard king—is a great choice for couples (or individuals within a couple) who are tall and need a little extra leg room.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The sleep and mattress team at Forbes Vetted works hard to stay up-to-date on all things bedding, mattresses and sleep. Our team regularly shops for and tests new mattresses and bedding products, and we frequently collaborate with experts in sleep medicine and mattress production and sales. For instance, we reached out to Bloom and Wernersbach—both owner-operators of mattress stores—for their insights on this piece. We also devour the most up-to-date research on sleep and keep our eyes peeled for great deals on the brands we’ve grown to love from our extensive testing.
This helps us make the best possible recommendations for you, so that you can be a more informed shopper. After all, a new mattress is a big, long-term investment.
What Are The Standard Mattress Sizes?
The six standard mattress sizes are twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king. Most mattress manufacturers will offer their mattresses in all of these sizes.
How Do I Measure My Mattress Size?
If you’re not sure what your mattress size is, it’s time to whip out the tape measure. Measure the length and width to determine what size your mattress is. Even though the corners of most mattresses are rounded, you should still be able to easily determine the correct size of your mattress based on your measurements. Alternatively, if your mattress still has the tag on it, the size may be listed there.
What Is The Most Purchased Mattress Size?
According to 2017 data from Statista, the most popular mattress size is queen—with nearly 50% of survey respondents reporting that they sleep on a queen sized mattress. Bloom and Wernersbach both affirm this, explaining that it’s also the best-selling size at their respective mattress stores.
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