Standard Bed Sizes

When building a bed, it all starts with deciding what size bed you want - double, queen, king, etc. Once you've made that determination, it's a matter of sizing the bed frame and other bed components accordingly.

Standard bed dimensions have been developed over time although there are some subtleties to be aware of. For example, most countries have a standard set of four mattress sizes - twin, double, queen, and king - but the sizes for each tend to vary between countries. And within a given country, there are certain sizes that are similar but different. A good example is the twin single versus the twin extra long. Both are 39" wide but the extra long is 5" longer than the single. Likewise, there are expanded versions of the standard queen and king mattress.

The following table summarizes the most commonly used bed sizes in the U.S. These dimensions represent mattress sizes -- the actual bed frame is typically made slightly larger in order to allow room for bedding materials.

Crib
28" x 52"
Defined by US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Toddler beds are the same size as a crib and use a crib size mattress.

Cot
30" x 74"-80"
30" width is common but some slightly wider or narrower.

Standard Bunk
39" x 75"
Appropriate for school-age children; upper and lower

Narrow Bunk
36" x 75"
Appropriate for school-age children; upper and lower

Twin (Single)
39" x 75"  (some 37.5" wide)
Most common choice for children's rooms or multi-use guest rooms.  Too short for most adults.

Twin Extra Long
39" x 80"
Common in hospitals, dormitories, hotels, shelters, etc.  Often used in college dorm rooms to accommodate tall teens.  Bedding is often difficult to find and in limited patterns.

Full (Double)
54"x 75"
Accommodates one large adult or two small adults. The most common size for two to sleep in until the 1960's.

Full Sofa Bed
54" x 72"
Sofa mattress typically thinner than bed variety.

Queen
60" x 80"
Good choice for two "normal-sized" adults. Queen size beds are 21" wider and 5" longer than a Twin bed and 6" wider and 5" longer than a Double size bed.

Queen Sofa Bed
60" x 72"
Narrower and lighter than a conventional Queen mattress.

California Queen
60" x 84"
4 inches longer than standard Queen.

Expanded Queen
66" x 80"
6 inches wider than standard Queen.

Super Queen
66" x 80"
6 inches wider than standard Queen, also thicker.

King
76" x 80"
Standard King, also called Eastern King. Two people sleeping in a King size bed will get the same amount of personal sleeping space as in a Twin bed.  Widest bed commonly available in stores.

California King
72" x 84"
Not as wide but longer than a standard King. The longest bed commonly available in stores and the best choice for tall people.

Grand King
80" x 98"
The bed of choice if one really wants room to stretch out. Provides 30% more sleeping space than a traditional King.

 

Helpful tip: Pick out your mattress before building the bed so you there won't be any unpleasant surprises.