What Size Bed Should I Get?
A number of factors influence what size bed you should buy, including the dimensions of your room, your height, and your sleeping preferences. The choice you make has implications for the comfort and style in your room: A bed that’s too small will leave you with too little space to comfortably change positions while you sleep, but one that’s too big can make your bedroom look and feel crowded. Start with our Bed Size Chart to find standard mattress dimensions, and then explore important questions to consider when choosing what size bed is best.
Bed Size Chart
While there are some outliers, these are the standard bed sizes offered by most retailers—and the sizes for which you’ll most easily find bedding that fits.
| Bed Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Twin | 38 in. x 75 in. |
| Twin XL | 38 in. x 80 in. |
| Full | 53 in. x 75 in. |
| Queen | 60 in. x 80 in. |
| King | 76 in. x 80 in. |
| California King | 72 in. x 84 in. |
Twin Beds
Twin Bed Dimensions: 38 in. x 75 in.
Best For: Kids, Bunk Beds, Adults Under 6 ft. Tall
The smallest standard bed size is a Twin. Just over 3 feet wide and 6 feet long, Twin beds are so called because they were traditionally used in pairs, and today they are most frequently found in children’s rooms. But a Twin bed can also work for teens and young adults, especially in a small space where a larger Full or Queen bed will not fit.
Is a Single Bed the Same as a Twin?
Yes, a Single bed is the same as a Twin bed, but “Twin” has become the more common term. If you have a Single mattress, Twin-size bedding will fit.
Twin XL Beds
Twin XL Bed Dimensions: 38 in. x 80 in.
Best For: College Dorms, Tall Adults
The preferred size for college dorms, Twin XL beds offer an extra 5 inches of length to accommodate older teens’ taller frames. They’re also great for tall adults in small city apartments. Twin XL mattresses require specially sized bedding—standard Twin layers will be too short.
Full Beds
Full-Size Bed Dimensions: 53 in. x 75 in
Best For: Children, Teens, Individual Adults
Also called a Double bed, a Full bed most comfortably fits a single adult or couples who don’t require a lot of personal space. Full mattresses are also popular for children, because they can easily transition as kids grow. Because of its versatility—it can comfortably sleep one or two people but takes up less space than a Queen mattress—a Full mattress is the preferred size for two-bed hotel rooms.
Queen Beds
Queen Size Bed Dimensions: 60 in. x 80 in.
Best for: Couples, Primary or Guest Rooms
Striking a balance between spacious and sprawling, a Queen-size bed is the most popular on the market. The dimensions of a Queen bed make it ideal for a primary bedroom: It can comfortably fit two adults while allowing plenty of space for furniture and traffic flow in most rooms.
King Beds
King Bed Dimensions: 76 in. x 80 in
Best for: Couples, Parents, Primary Bedroom
A King bed is the biggest standard mattress size. At 76 inches, a King is more than a foot wider than a Queen bed (but the same length), so it’s a popular option for the primary bedroom, for couples who prefer extra space, and for parents who allow kids into the bed.
California King Beds
King Bed Dimensions: 72 in. x 84 in.
Best for: Couples, Adults Over 6 ft. tall
The difference between a King and a California King bed is its proportions. California King mattresses are longer than they are wide, so they offer plenty of space for tall sleepers to stretch out.
Bed Size Buying Guide: Questions to Consider
Many factors influence what size bed will work in your space and complement your comfort preferences. Consider these important questions before choosing which bed is best for you.
How Do I Choose the Right Bed for My Room Size?
Whether you’re deciding between a Twin and Full bed or a King versus Queen bed, to choose the right bed for your room size, you’ll want to consider the available space. Choose a bed that allows ample room for walking around, or a minimum of 30 inches of clearance between the bed and walls or other furniture. Consider the following recommendations for the minimum room dimensions for standard bed sizes:
- Twin: 7 ft. x 10 ft.
- Twin XL: 7 ft. x 10 ft.
- Full: 9 ft. x 10 ft.
- Queen: 9.5 ft. x 10 ft.
- King: 10 ft. x 12 ft.
- California King: 10 ft. x 11 ft.
What Size Bed Should I Get for My Height?
If you’re taller than 6 feet, choose a California King bed that comfortably accommodates your extra length, or a Twin XL if you’re short on space. Most bed sizes—Twin, Full, Queen, and King—are comfortable for anyone under 6 feet tall.
What Bed Size Is Best for Two People?
Most people who sleep with a partner prefer the extra space of a Queen, King, or California King bed, although a Full bed may be big enough for partners who don’t need much personal space.
Can You Get the Bed Upstairs Into Your Room?
Queen, King, and California King beds can be tricky to maneuver up stairs, around corners, and through narrow hallways or doorways. Take careful measurements and look closely at your home’s layout to come up with the best plan for getting your mattress to its final destination, so you’re not left in a bind once the bed is delivered.
Choosing the right bed size is essential to ensuring enough space for your stature, body shape, partner, and sleeping style. Pair a hybrid mattress in the perfect size with a mattress topper or pad, sheets suited to the season, and cozy or lightweight top of bed layers create a space perfectly customized to you. Explore our Guides for more tips and advice on choosing the best bedding products and layers.