Buying a too-small mattress is one of the biggest mistakes new bed-buyers make. Couples who’ve been sleeping on a “double” (also known as a full-size mattress) since they got together may think they have enough room – until they learn that each person has only as much sleeping space as a baby’s crib! This guide will help you understand mattress sizing, along with recommendations to find your best fit.
Crib/Toddler Mattress
In general, your baby’s crib mattress should be fairly firm. Soft mattresses and pillow tops seem like a good choice for parents, but infants need a solid sleep surface because they can’t move themselves out of positions where their face sinks into the mattress if they happen to flip over on their tummies. Push down on the mattress and see how easily your hand sinks. The more resistance, the firmer the mattress. Whether you choose an innerspring or solid foam mattress, just make sure it’s nice and firm!
For many parents, the time to move their children into a bigger bed comes when they reach 35 inches in height or 2 years of age, whichever comes first. For that next bed, a twin mattress is a popular choice. For youngsters, consider using detachable safety rails to discourage climbing, prevent falls, and help your toddler feel more secure. Another option is a full-size (also called a double) mattress that allows them freedom of movement while sleeping well into their teen years.
Single Mattress
A twin (or “single”) mattress is the smallest possible mattress size other than a crib-size mattress. Twin mattress dimensions are approximately 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. At approximately 75 inches long, both twin and full mattresses may be too short for some adults.
Twin Mattress
A twin XL mattress is the same width as a regular twin (around 38 inches) but features an extra 5 inches length-wise. This extra length makes a twin a good option for taller children.
Double Mattress
Sometimes still called a double mattress, a full-size mattress is 53 inches wide, which is just 15 inches wider than a twin size (or “single”). For a couple sharing a bed, that leaves each partner only 27 inches of personal space — or about the width of a crib. Both twin and full sizes are approximately 75 inches long, which may be too short for some adults. A full-size bed is really only enough space for a single sleeper and at only 27″ per person (the size of a crib), full mattresses are a tight fit for two. Plus, they’re the same length as a twin, which can be too short for many. Parents are increasingly choosing full sizes over twin sizes for teenagers’ bedrooms. Parents are even making this choice for younger children to give themselves a more comfortable place to sit or lie down when reading to children at tuck-in time and to avoid the child outgrowing the bed too quickly.
Queen Mattress
Queen mattress dimensions are 60 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long – 7 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a full-size mattress. These added inches can make all the difference in comfort, especially for couples, and have made the queen-size mattress today’s most popular mattress size.
A queen-size mattress is a good choice for couples who don’t need as much sleeping space or who want more living space in their bedroom. Single sleepers may also find they prefer plenty of space when snoozing, and the increased size of the queen over a full-size mattress makes for the ideal fit.
King Mattress
The king-size mattress dimensions are 76 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long – about 16 inches wider than a queen. A king-size mattress is the best choice for couples who want maximum personal sleeping space. To ensure that the king-size mattress will fit nicely into your bedroom, check your room dimensions. Also, think about how you’re going to move the mattress into your bedroom. For example, you’ll want to measure the corridors, doors, and stairwells that the mattress will need to fit through. Alternatively, your delivery service, where applicable, may be able to advise you on moving your new king mattress into your bedroom.