Mattress & Bed Size Guide

 

What size mattress do I need?

Here's where we share the information you need to understand our bed and mattress sizes. As well as sharing the measurements of each mattress and bed size, you'll also be able to see the differences between each bed size.
Choosing the correctly sized bed and mattress is more important than you might think - your sleep quality affects every aspect of your life, so it's not something to rush! Because the amount of space you have to sleep in is so important, we recommend choosing the largest bed and mattress your bedroom and budget allow for. 
If you're choosing a mattress to use with an existing bed frame or divan, make sure it matches - choosing the wrong size mattress can mean a prematurely damaged mattress, which is bad news for your bank account and your sleep.
Once you've chosen the right bed and mattress, make sure you protect your investment with a mattress protector. A quality mattress protector will prolong the life of your mattress, giving you many more restful, healthy nights' sleep.

 

Standard Single Bed & Mattress Size

The standard single bed dimensions are 90cm x 190cm in the UK. This is 15cm wider than a small single (75cm x 190cm), 10cm shorter than a Euro single (90cm x 200cm) and 45cm narrower than a double bed.
A single bed is the bed most of us associate with childhood, and they're perfect for kids and teens. A young child will be ready for a single bed, instead of a cotbed when they're around three years old, although there's no hard and fast rule - it's about what's right for you and your child. 
Single beds are also ideal for smaller guest rooms - indeed, some adults prefer sleeping in a single bed to sharing with their partner. Single beds are a great choice if you have a small bedroom; it's what makes them such a good choice for children's bedrooms or spare rooms when guests stay.

What is a twin bed? 

A twin bed is the American term for a single bed. It's another example of Americans using different words to us Brits - just like they say 'faucet' and we say 'tap', Americans use the term 'twin bed' where we say 'single bed'!

 

Standard Double Bed & Mattress Size

The standard double bed size dimensions in the UK are 135cm x 190cm, and it is the most common double bed size in the UK. The standard double bed is 45cm wider than a single bed and 15cm narrower than a king size bed. In contrast, a small double bed measures 120cm x 190cm and a Euro double bed measures a slightly more generous 140cm x 200cm. 
The standard double bed is the smallest bed you'd want to share with another person but is also ideal for anyone who loves to spread out at night. A standard double bed is an excellent choice for young adults and older teens - it gives them space to spread out and accounts for their increasing maturity. However, it's also the natural choice for a smaller bedroom as it will only take up some of the space, leaving room for bedside tables or other furniture. For this reason, a double bed is often the default option if you're kitting out a guest bedroom or if your main bedroom is more compact.
We'd recommend double beds for growing teens, cosy couples who like snuggling up together and singletons who adore spreading out, starfish-style, as they slumber.

 

Small Double Bed & Mattress Size

The small double bed measurements in the UK are 120cm x 190cm. It's 15cm smaller than a standard double bed and 30cm wider than a standard single bed. 
Why choose a small double bed? We say it's the perfect option for those who want something larger than a single bed and like the space and impact of a double bed but need more space. This makes the small double bed a brilliant choice for children's and teenagers' bedrooms - giving them extra sleeping space without taking up all the floor space. The small double bed is also an excellent compromise for guest rooms, giving your guests the comfort of a double bed, even if your guest room is on the smaller side.

Double Bed vs. Queen Size Bed

A standard double bed measures 135cm x 190cm, and a queen size bed measures 120cm x 190cm. This means that a queen size bed has the same measurements as a small double bed. Choose a standard double over a queen size bed if you have the additional space to accommodate the extra width without compromising on the floor space of your bedroom. If space is an issue, opt for a queen size bed as its more compact dimensions will take up less space. 

 

King Size Bed & Mattress Size

The standard king size bed measurements are 150cm x 200cm. This is 15cm wider than a standard double bed, enough to give you and your sleeping partner extra room to stretch out. However, a king size bed is 30cm narrower than a super king size mattress. It also gives you more space from top to bottom. In contrast, a Euro king size bed is 160cm x 200cm.
If you have the space, a king size bed is an excellent choice for couples, as it gives both of you enough space to stretch out comfortably without disturbing the other person. You will need a larger room to accommodate a king size bed - and remember that this is for the room's length and width - it's a full 10cm longer than a standard double bed.

King Size Beds vs Super King Beds 

King size beds are ideal for bed sharers who are happy to sleep close to one another. Although a king size bed is larger than a double, you'll definitely know you're sharing a bed with another person. A super king bed gives you and your sleeping partner an extra 30cm of space. This is especially helpful if one (or both) of you are very tall, get hot at night or move around a lot while sleeping.

 

Superking Bed & Mattress Size 

The UK super king mattress and bed dimensions are 180cm x 200cm. That's a blissful extra 30cm of width compared to a king size bed. It's also the same width as two single beds pushed together. Although a super king bed might seem indulgent, when you realise it's the same as two single beds, you can understand why some people struggle to share a double or king size bed. A superking bed gives you and your sleeping partner enough space to sleep undisturbed. It's especially suitable for tall sleepers, those who overheat at night, and people who move a lot during their sleep. A super king bed is also perfect for parents of young children - there's plenty of space for little bodies to snuggle into if they wake in the night or want to join you for an early morning cuddle.
However, you'll need a large bedroom to accommodate a super king bed - we'd recommend your bedroom is at least 60cm wider and longer than your bed, so that's 240cm wide and 260cm long. More space is better - after all, you want to walk around your bed comfortably and safely.

 

Emperor Bed & Mattress Size 

The emperor bed in the UK has dimensions of 200cm x 200cm - indulgently spacious but difficult to shop for if you need emperor size fitted sheets, duvets and duvet covers. We stock a range of emperor sized bedding so you can be sure of an emperor bed that feels and looks incredible. 
An emperor bed and mattress is 50cm wider than a king size bed and 30cm wider than a superking size bed, giving you much more space to stretch out and relax. Emperor mattresses and beds are ideal for very large bedrooms where a smaller bed might look a bit 'lost'. They're also a great choice if you or your sleeping partner move around a lot at night - there's so much room that it's difficult to disturb one another. And, of course, if you have children - or pets - who like to snuggle up with you at night or in the morning, then an emperor bed gives you enough space to fit everyone comfortably. If you'd like an emperor bed, ensure your bedroom is large enough. We'd recommend allowing at least 60cm of additional width and depth in your bedroom, preferably more. That means your bedroom should be 260cm wide and 260cm long. This will give you enough space to walk around your bed safely. However, we'd recommend you allow additional space to ensure your emperor bed doesn't 'take over' the bedroom. 

 

Small Single Bed & Mattress Size 

The small single bed size has measurements of 75cm x 190cm. This is 15cm narrower than a standard single bed and a Euro single bed. Small single beds are the perfect choice for small bedrooms where a standard single bed would be too tight, or you want to allow floor space for other furniture or activities. This makes small single beds a wise choice for a child's bedroom or a room that doubles up as an office and occasional guest room. Small single beds are also a good option if you want to fit two or more beds into the same room, for example, if you have children who share a bedroom. By having two small single beds, you can claim 30cm of extra floor space compared to two standard single beds. Although the small single bed is narrower than a regular single bed, it provides plenty of space for a comfortable night's sleep, especially for children and smaller adults. As a comparison, sleeping on a small single bed means more sleeping space for a single person than for two people sharing a standard double! Choosing fitted sheets and mattress protectors for small single beds can be difficult, but Soak&Sleep stocks a range of products to suit your small single beds, such as specialist size protectors and fitted sheets.

 

Cot Bed & Mattress Sizes

Our cot bed sizes are 70cm x 140cm. That's 20cm narrower and 50cm shorter than a standard single bed. The more compact size suits small children who might feel 'lost' or overwhelmed in a larger bed. It also suits the smaller mattress and pillow that experts recommend for toddlers. 
A cot bed is larger than a cot which measures 60cm x 140cm. A cot may fit into the parent's bedroom, making it a good choice for babies under six months old who should sleep in the same room as their parents. A cot bed is excellent for older babies and toddlers who sleep in their own room. A cot bed can be used as a traditional cot, with safety bars around it, or as a smaller version of a 'grown-up bed' with the safety bars removed. This means they're a good investment as they can be used for several years. If you are using a second-hand cot bed or passing a cot bed from one sibling to the next, we recommend you buy a new cot bed mattress. A mattress protector is a wise idea, as this will protect your child's mattress from bedwetting, leaky nappies and illness. 

 

Euro Single Bed & Mattress Size

A European single bed and mattress (also called a 'Euro single' or 'EU single') measures 90cm x 200cm. This is slightly longer than the UK standard single bed and mattress size of 90cm x 190cm.

European Double Bed & Mattress Size

A European double bed and mattress (also called a 'Euro double' or EU double) measures 140cm x 200cm. This is slightly longer and wider than the UK standard double bed and mattress size of 135cm x 190cm.

European King Bed & Mattress Size

A European king bed and mattress (also called a 'Euro king' or 'EU king') measures 160cm x 200cm. This is slightly wider than the UK standard king size bed and mattress size of 150cm x 200cm.

 

Measuring out your room for the perfect sized bed 

We recommend you allow at least 30cm at each side of your bed so you can get in and out of bed comfortably and safely. The space at the bottom of your bed is also important - allow at least 60cm between the foot of your bed and the wall or furniture. It's also essential to make sure your bed's size and position allow you to fully open any doors and drawers, so allow for this in your measurements.