Standard US mattress sizes: twin 38 x 75 in, twin XL 38 x 80 in, full 54 x 75 in, queen 60 x 80 in, king 76 x 80 in and California king 72 x 84 in. Queens suit most couples; kings give each sleeper as much width as a twin; California kings are longer for tall sleepers. Allow walkway space around the bed when choosing.
Size is the first decision when buying a mattress, and the easiest to get wrong for your room.
US mattress sizes
| Size | Inches (W x L) | Centimeters (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 x 75 | 97 x 191 | Kids, bunk beds |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 97 x 203 | Teens, dorms, split kings |
| Full | 54 x 75 | 137 x 191 | Single adults |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 152 x 203 | Most couples |
| King | 76 x 80 | 193 x 203 | Couples who want space |
| California king | 72 x 84 | 183 x 213 | Tall sleepers |
Sizes vary slightly by brand; UK and EU sizes differ.
Room size
Leave about 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 cm) of walkway on the sides you use. A queen usually suits rooms of at least 10 x 10 ft; a king works better from 12 x 12 ft.
Next steps
Pick the type with our sleep position guide, and check how often to replace a mattress. Browse mattresses.
Common questions
What is the difference between king and California king?
A king is wider (76 in) and a California king is longer (84 in) but narrower (72 in).
Is a full big enough for two?
At 54 inches wide, each person gets 27 inches, less than a crib mattress is wide. Most couples prefer a queen or larger.
What size for a tall teenager?
A twin XL or queen gives the extra length of 80 inches.