Avoid Mattress Size Madness

Mattress size charts and tips make choosing the best bed easy. Here's goof-proof dimensions for the perfect bed size for you and your space.

Unfortunately mattress names make no sense. Many date from the 1930's when manufactured box springs were becoming common (along with marketing hype), and people were shorter by several inches. The result is that now you'd only want to sleep on a 'double' if you're single. Confused yet?

Fortunately for you, the Maniac's handy mattress size chart will keep you from bringing home a matress too big for the bedroom or the hallway. And the size recommendations below will keep you from jabbing your sleep partner in the ribs with your elbows.

...Except if you're 5 skiers in a bed. In that case, my advice is to have more beer.

Mattress Size Recommendations

A double mattress (full) is only 54 inches wide. It's often the mattress of choice for children, teenagers and shorter single adults. But don't try sleeping two adults. You'd be trying to sleep in a width just big enough for two standard crib mattresses (27" wide).

The queen size mattress (60" wide) is the most popular for single sleepers, couples that prefer closeness and people with smaller master bedrooms. But it might be too confining for more active sleepers since there's only 30 inches per person.

King and california king memory foam mattresses (72" to 76" wide) will be your best choice if you sleep with a partner and you tend to be restless sleepers. It's almost the equivalent of both of you sleeping on separate twin mattresses (78" wide). It's also great if the kids come bouncing in on weekend mornings or the dog or cat has bed privileges.

Is Your Bedroom Big Enough For Your Mattress?

Measure your available space and decide what size will best fit into your bedroom. To maximize privacy, try to place the headboard along the longest wall that allows you to have the bedroom door at the foot of your bed rather than by your head. Leave a walking space of at least 24 inches between the walls on either side of the bed. You'll need at least 36 inches on the side that faces any door that opens into the room. Measure any bedroom doors to ensure they can open fully without whacking the bed.

Measure the narrowest passageways into your bedroom, hall and house. It would be embarrassing if you thought you purchased the right mattress size and you couldn't get it into your sleeping quarters!

Do windows matter?Some people make a big stink about not putting your bed under a window to avoid drafts. I think that it depends upon where you live, the quality of your windows and personal preference. I live in a very warm climate where cool drafts are welcome, especially on hot summer nights. I wouldn't think of putting my bed anywhere but under a window.

Top of page

From Mattress Size back to Mattress Buying Guide

Mattress Size to Memory Foam Mattress - Home