Buying a mattress for a guest room, master bedroom, recreational vehicle, or dorm? The first thing you’ll consider, other than price, is what size will fit your space. If you already have a bed frame, sheets, and a duvet that you’re happy with, and you’re content with how much room you have to maneuver, the answer is easy: Stick with your current mattress size. But if you want to size up to something bigger or get a bed for a growing child, you’ll need to carefully consider which standard mattress size fits best.
When buying a new mattress, consider these factors that can affect what mattress size fits your lifestyle:
- Room size: A good way to know what size mattress will fit into your space is to measure the length and width of the room. You can use a standard tape measure or get a rough estimate with a digital tape measure on your cell phone. Once you have the final measurements, pick the mattress size that most comfortably fits in the room. Remember to consider the dimensions of the bed frame and other furniture within the room as well.
- Number of sleepers: A full-sized bed may be just right for a single sleeper, but it can get cramped with two people and a pet or two. Those who have pets and small children who like to crawl into bed frequently may want to consider a king-size bed or bigger.
- Sleepers’ sizes: For average-sized adults, a queen-sized mattress is usually adequate, but for those who like to move around or for those who are bigger and taller than average, a king mattress or a California king may feel more comfortable. If you’re looking for something even bigger than a king or California king, check out non-standard mattress sizes that are larger than normal, like an Olympic queen or an Alaskan king.
- Sleeping positions: Though we tend to identify with one type of sleeping position, such as back, side, or stomach sleeping, the truth is that most of us are combination sleepers. This means that even if you fall asleep on your back, you may wake up on your side. When picking a bed size, consider how much room you may need to move around or spread out at night.
- Mattress price: In general, the larger the mattress, the higher the price. Some mattress sizes, like king- and California king-size mattresses, can cost the same, but this isn’t always the case. And if you size up your mattress, keep in mind you’ll have to buy a new bed frame and sheets to accommodate all the extra inches.
Best For:
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Daybeds
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Bunk beds
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Kids’ rooms
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Small rooms
A twin mattress is often the first upgrade from a crib mattress and is commonly used in children’s rooms. A twin mattress is typically 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, and usually fits small bed frames, daybeds, and bunk beds.
Best Twin Mattresses
|
TWIN MATTRESSES |
SLEEP TRIAL |
WARRANTY |
TYPE |
PRICE |
LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado Green Mattress » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | $899 |
Buy a Twin! |
| Zinus Cooling Copper Adaptive Hybrid Mattress » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | $288 | Buy a Twin! |
| Layla Memory Foam » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | $689 |
Buy a Twin! |
| The DreamCloud » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | $954.76 |
Buy a Twin! |
| Casper Original Hybrid » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | $895 | Buy a Twin! |
What Is the Difference Between a Twin and Twin XL?
Twin XL mattresses are slightly longer than traditional twin beds. Both twin and twin XL beds are 38 inches in width and designed for a single sleeper, but the twin XL mattress size is 80 inches in length as opposed to the 75-inch-long twin. The additional 5 inches in length of a twin XL make this bed better suited for tall children, teenagers, and college students.
If you are 6 feet or taller, a twin XL will fit you better than a normal twin bed. You are most likely to find twin XLs at universities as the standard-size mattress within a dorm room. This bed size is the most common in college residence halls because it better meets the needs of young single adults than a twin mattress for only a slightly higher price.
Best For:
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Studio apartments
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A single person with no pets
A full bed is as long as a twin (75 inches) but much wider (54 inches), and can fit an average-size adult. You can find every type of full-size mattress on the market, like an innerspring from Saatva, or a hybrid from WinkBeds.
Best Full Mattresses
|
FULL MATTRESSES |
SLEEP TRIAL |
WARRANTY |
TYPE |
PRICE |
LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado Green Mattress » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | $1,199 |
Buy a Full! |
| Birch Natural » | 100 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | $1,199 |
Buy a Full! |
| Bear Original » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | $567.45 |
Buy a Full! |
| Saatva Classic » | 365 Nights | Lifetime limited | Innerspring | $1,370 |
Buy a Full! |
| Helix Midnight » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | $899 |
Buy a Full! |
Is a Full-Size Bed Big Enough for Two People?
A full-size bed can be big enough for two people, but it depends. When deciding between a full bed and a queen bed or larger, first consider your room size. Will an extra few inches to the length and width make it more difficult to move around the room easily? What about adding a new bed frame that’s a few inches larger than the mattress? It’s always good to think about what, if anything, the mattress and bed frame may block you from easily reaching, such as a vent or electrical outlet.
Then, consider how many sleepers you’ll have in your bed. If it’s just you and your partner, a queen-size bed may be just right. If you’re accompanied by a pet or a small child, think about sizing up to a king-size bed, or even a California king.
For those with restless partners or pets, consider buying a queen or bigger, and make sure one or more layers of the bed are made of memory foam. Memory foam can help with motion isolation, which means that you’re less likely to be awoken by your partner’s movements.
Best For:
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Average-size couples
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Single sleepers
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People with small pets
A queen-size mattress measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. You’ll find a queen-size model of all the main mattress types: innerspring, foam, hybrid, and adjustable air. A queen mattress is the most popular mattress size on the market, and as such you should have no problem finding bed frames or sheets to fit.
You’ll benefit the most from a queen-size bed if you’re a single, average-sized adult who tends to move around a lot, a couple, or someone who sleeps with a small pet, like a cat. If you’re considering a queen for your bedroom, take a look at our rating of the Best Mattresses, or our selection of the Best Queen Mattresses.
Best Queen Mattresses
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QUEEN MATTRESSES |
SLEEP TRIAL |
WARRANTY |
TYPE |
FIRMNESS |
PRICE |
LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado Green Mattress » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $1,399 |
Buy a Queen! |
| Helix Midnight » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | Medium | $1,049 |
Buy a Queen! |
| The WinkBed » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,799 | Buy a Queen! |
| Saatva Classic » | 365 Nights | Lifetime limited | Innerspring | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,470 |
Buy a Queen! |
| Nectar Memory Foam » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $1,498 | Buy a Queen! |
Best For:
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Large master bedrooms
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Couples who need more space
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People who share their bed with pets
The dimensions of a king bed are typically 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. A king mattress is typically the most expensive mattress size as it is one of the largest sizes offered by many companies.
King beds are pretty common so finding bed sheets, mattress toppers, and protectors that fit is easy. Most bedding and mattress companies offer a size king in all their mattress products.
If you and your partner prefer different firmness or incline levels, a split king mattress is a good option. A split king is essentially two twin mattresses side-by-side so you can choose different firmness levels for each side. An adjustable bed frame for a split king can also adjust the incline of each side of the mattress separately.
Best King Mattresses
|
KING MATTRESSES |
SLEEP TRIAL |
WARRANTY |
TYPE |
FIRMNESS |
PRICE |
LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Natural » | 100 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $1,699 |
Buy a King! |
| Nolah Evolution 15-Inch » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,749 |
Buy a King! |
| Helix Midnight » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | Medium | $1,399 |
Buy a King! |
| The WinkBed » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,999 | Buy a King! |
| Saatva Classic » | 365 Nights | Lifetime limited | Innerspring | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,870 |
Buy a King! |
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Taller-than-average people
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Those who need more legroom
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Those who sleep with pets at the foot of the bed
A California king mattress measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long, which is four inches narrower and four inches longer than a traditional king mattress. Most mattresses in our Best Mattresses of 2022 rating are available in a California king size. However, not all companies offer this size so your options are fewer. California king-sized bed frames, mattress protectors, and bed sheets may also be harder to find and a bit more expensive. When it comes to price though, California king mattresses typically cost the same as a traditional king mattress so there’s no major price hike to worry about.
For couples who have different mattress preferences, a split California king is a viable option. Similar to a split king, a split California king is two twin XL mattresses side-by-side.
Is a California King Bigger Than a King?
A California king is longer than a king-size mattress but a king bed is wider than a California king. When comparing overall surface area, a king-size mattress has more space than a California king. Similarly priced, the main difference between a California king bed and king size mattress is that California kings are designed for people who are 6 feet or taller.
To learn more about the difference between king and California king beds, check out our California King vs. King page.
Similar to twin XL and California king mattresses, there are a variety of custom beds that are variations of standard mattress sizes. One thing to keep in mind is that with custom mattresses you may have more difficulty finding sheets, bedding, and frames that fit.
The Olympic queen mattress is the same length as a standard queen but 6 inches wider. The additional 6 inches of width gives you and your partner additional space to stretch out without taking up as much space in your room as a king-size bed.
Alternatively, a California queen is longer than a standard queen mattress but the same width. At 84 inches long, the California queen mattress is the same length as the California king and is a good choice for people that are 6 feet or taller. You may want a California queen if you or your partner are tall and your room is better suited for the standard width of a queen-size bed.
There are also several nonstandard king-size mattress variations. The Wyoming king bed is 84 inches by 84 inches, giving you a longer and wider mattress than your standard king. The Texas king is 80 inches wide by 98 inches long, making it perfect for larger sleepers that like to really stretch out. The largest is the Alaskan king bed which is 108 inches by 108 inches. The Alaskan king is designed for large master bedrooms and gives you plenty of space to share with a partner, children, and pets.
On the smaller end of the spectrum is the crib mattress. The crib mattress is designed to fit a standard crib at 52 inches long and 28 inches wide. The size of a crib mattress is important in keeping your baby safe while sleeping. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that a crib should not have a gap larger than two fingers between the mattress and crib walls. Crib beds are small enough that they can easily follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to keep your newborn in the same room as you for at least the first six months to keep an eye on your baby at night. A crib mattress will provide your child with a good sleep surface until they are ready to move up to a larger twin bed.
The most popular mattress size is a queen mattress. It provides the necessary space for a couple to sleep together while taking up less floor space than larger mattresses. Queen-size mattresses are affordable and widely available due to their popularity. To find the right mattress for you, check out our rating of the Best Mattresses of 2022.
Popular Mattress Companies
Saatva Classic »
Best Firm Mattress
Price reflects discount.
SEE REVIEW
Nectar Memory Foam »
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People
SEE REVIEW
Puffy Lux »
Price reflects discount.
SEE REVIEW
The WinkBed »
Best Mattress for Back Pain (tie)
SEE REVIEW
Helix Midnight »
Best Lower-Priced Mattress (tie)
Price reflects discount.
SEE REVIEW
Nolah Evolution 15-Inch »
Best Mattress for Heavy People
Price reflects discount.
SEE REVIEW
Why You Can Trust Us: 340 Mattresses Researched
At U.S. News & World Report, we rank the Best Hospitals, Best Colleges, and Best Cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team draws on this same unbiased approach to rate the products that you use every day. To build our ratings, we researched 340 mattresses from 32 mattress companies and analyzed 18 reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, gifts, or loans of products or services we review. All sample products provided for review are donated after review. In addition, we maintain a separate business team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations.
