Replacing your old mattress with a brand new one should be straightforward enough especially when done with mattress reviews, but, for whatever reason, this process often ends up being a lot more complicated and stressful than it needs to be. You can find yourself asking questions like; what is the standard size of a bed? Is my bedframe smaller or larger than the average? How can I tell the difference between European or UK sizes? Will my new mattress fit my old frame? The list goes on.
However, it’s very important to get this decision right. After all, beds and mattresses are notorious for being expensive. Making a mistake can be costly and returning them is cumbersome. To help our readers avoid this predicament and ensure they get the very best product for them, we decided to create this concise and comprehensive guide to mattress and bed sizes UK. Read on to find out more information.
What Are the Standard Mattress and Bed Sizes UK?
First and foremost, let’s discuss the standard sizes of mattresses and beds in the UK (we will briefly mention European sizing too). Bed owners need to establish what size their bedframe is classified as because this knowledge should help them to choose the most appropriate product for them. Here they are:
| STANDARD UK MATTRESS SIZES | METRIC SIZE | IMPERIAL SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| UK Small Single | 75 x 190 cm | 2’6” x 6’3” |
| UK Single | 90 x 190 cm | 3’ x 6’3” |
| UK Small Double | 120 x 190 cm | 4’ x 6’3” |
| UK Double | 135 x 190 cm | 4’6” x 6’3” |
| UK King | 150 x 200 cm | 5’ x 6’6” |
| UK Super King | 180 x 200 cm | 6’ x 6’6” |
• Small Single Bed/Mattress
A small single mattress or small single bed is 75 cm wide and 190 cm long. Going by imperial measurements, this is the same as being 2 feet 6 inches wide and 6 feet 3 inches long. It is generally recommended that you buy a small single bed and a small single mattress for young children, small rooms, or guest rooms. This is because small single mattresses can comfortably fit into narrow bedframes or littler nooks. As such, they can help to create more space in smaller places.
• Single Bed/Mattress
The single bed size in the UK is 90 cm wide and 190 cm long. If you use imperial measurements, this equates to 3 feet and 6 feet 3 inches respectively. As you might have guessed already, single beds and mattresses are designed for one person. Any parents with growing children will likely want to invest in a single bed, as these mattresses are suitable for kids, teens, and young adults.
• Small Double Bed/Mattress
This is the smaller alternative to a double bed or mattress. Going by metric dimensions, this is 120 cm wide and 190 cm long. Meanwhile, using imperial measurements, a small double mattress is 4 feet wide and 6 feet 3 inches long. A bed of this size is best suited to a single person, but two adults can share one if necessary. We recommend a small double mattress if your bedroom is smaller than the standard person’s, but you would prefer a double bed, nonetheless. In fact, they can provide additional storage, especially if they are a divan or ottoman.
• Double Bed/Mattress
The double bed size in the UK is 135 cm wide and 190 cm long, or 4 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 3 inches. This is one of the most popular sizes of bed or mattress because it can comfortably fit two people. Couples can save a huge amount of money by investing in a double bed, as they don’t need to pay for two separate mattresses or a zip link mattress. If you like to move around as you sleep, you might want to invest in a double bed, too. Most small and average-sized rooms will fit a bedframe/mattress with these dimensions.
• King-Sized Bed/Mattress
A standard king-sized bed or mattress is 150 cm wide and 200 cm long (which is 10 cm longer than everything we have talked about so far). Going by imperial dimensions, this means a mattress of this size would be 5 feet wide and 6 feet 6 inches long. If you are a taller person whose feet often hang off the end of the bed, then a king-sized mattress could be the perfect fit for you. These beds can also comfortably accommodate two people. Before purchasing a king-sized bed or mattress, make sure that you can fit the frame through your bedroom door. It is also very important to get the room’s measurements right.
• Super King-Sized Bed/Mattress
This is the largest bed in standard sizes that you can purchase in the UK. A super king-sized bed or mattress is 180 cm wide and 200 cm long. This is the same as 6 feet wide and 6 feet 6 inches long in imperial measurements. If you enjoy having a lot of room to yourself, then this is the perfect size for you. Super king-sized beds are most suitable for two people. Several others can also snuggle in briefly – making them a good choice for parents with children who like to join them in bed in the mornings.
An Emperor mattress size is even larger; 200 cm x 200 cm however this is uncommon and there aren't many manufacturers selling these.
• Cot Bed/Mattress
Now, let’s move on from the largest mattress and bed sizes UK to the smallest. A cot is designed for babies and toddlers who aren’t quite ready to move into their own bed. The average size of a cot bed or mattress is 60 cm wide and 120 cm long (23 inches wide and 47 inches long in imperial dimensions). Cot mattresses are quite thick and firm to ensure that babies are able to properly develop.
• Toddler Bed/Mattress
A standard toddler bed is slightly bigger than a cot – being 70 cm wide and 140 cm in length. Going by imperial measurements, this is 2 feet 3 inches wide and 4 feet 6 inches long. These beds are designed to help ease the transition between being a baby and becoming a slightly older child. If your kid is between the ages of 1 and 3, then a toddler mattress would be the perfect fit for them.
What Are the Standard Mattress and Bed Sizes EU?
You may find your self with an EU size mattress/bed especially if you bought from IKEA. Below is a brief summary of their sizes.
| STANDARD EU MATTRESS SIZES | METRIC SIZE | IMPERIAL SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| EU Single | 90 x 200 cm | 3' x 6'6" |
| EU Small Double | 120 x 200 cm | 4’ x 6’6” |
| EU Double | 140 x 200 cm | 4'7" x 6'6" |
| EU King | 160 x 200 cm | 5'3" x 6'6" |
| EU Super King | 180 x 200 cm | 6’ x 6’6” |
How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Bedframe
Now you know what the standard sizes for mattresses and beds UK, let’s discuss choosing the right mattress for your bedframe. Every standard-sized mattress has a corresponding bed frame. For instance, if you have purchased a super king-sized mattress, it should fit onto a super king-sized bed frame.
Homeowners should know that the fit won’t be exact, though. By this, we mean there might be a little wiggle room on either side of the mattress when it’s on the frame. This is to be expected, simply because of the different ways that manufacturers design their beds. The style of the bed frame will also have an impact. Headboards and footboards, for instance, add to the overall size of the frame. Here are some common bed frame styles that might affect the fit of your mattress on the bed frame:
• Divan Beds
A divan bed is made from two separate parts. They have a sturdy wooden frame which is covered with fabric. Most divan beds have wheels to make them easy to move around. Moreover, they tend to have headboards or drawers. If your divan does not have a headboard, then your mattress should have the exact same dimensions as the frame. As such, it will sit perfectly on top. Otherwise, you might need to account for how the headboard will affect the fit.
• Wooden Frames
A wooden bed frame is a popular option for homeowners. These frames are sturdy and much less likely to creak as opposed to metal beds. They often have intricately designed headboards and footboards, plus the base is made from hardy slats. Most wooden frames are slightly bigger than their corresponding mattress, so don’t be surprised to find small gaps around the edges. This empty space shouldn’t be more than a few centimetres, though.
• Upholstered Beds
An upholstered bed is a frame which is covered with additional material, such as velvet, faux leather, and suede. These bed frames are quite padded, which inevitably affects the mattress’s fit. What’s more, their style can have an impact. For example, upholstered beds often come in the ‘sleigh’ shape, so you might want to have a low-profile mattress which doesn’t look overpowering on this frame. As such, when buying a mattress for an upholstered bed, you need to account for the detail, shape, and amount of fabric on the frame, as these factors will all impact the fit.
• Ottoman Frames
If you have an ottoman bed frame, then you need to carefully consider what mattress you buy for it. An ottoman is a bed which can have its frame lifted up to reveal additional storage space. Most ottoman bed frames don’t need a mattress, but sometimes people like to add one. Therefore, we recommend choosing a lighter mattress which snugly fits on the frame. Anything that slides around too much will be a real problem – and anything too heavy will be a struggle to lift.
Always make sure to double-check the dimensions of your bed frame before purchasing your mattress. Though most mattresses will perfectly match their corresponding frame, there can sometimes be exceptions to this case – meaning you might need to go one size up or down. However, as we mentioned before, there should always be a little wiggle room around your mattress whilst it’s sat down on the bed frame.
What About the Thickness of the Mattress?
We have mainly spoken about the width and length of mattresses so far in our article. But thickness (or depth) is also an important factor to consider when buying. The depth of the mattress might affect your quality of sleep and the aesthetic appeal of the bedroom overall. Ideally, you will want your mattress’s thickness to perfectly suit your bedframe. For example, a very deep mattress on a divan bedframe might look rather odd. So, here’s a little more information on depth for the standard mattress and bed sizes UK:
• Average Mattresses
The average mattress in the UK is 8 to 12 inches deep. Any products that are 8 inches will be rather thin and have a low profile. If you have any children with a bunk bed, then a thinner mattress is ideal because this will prevent them from rolling off the top during the night. A low-profile mattress is also good for bedframes which might be overpowered by a deeper one.
• Deep Mattresses
A deep mattress is anything from 12 to 20 inches in thickness. They are more expensive but provide better comfort, as they are made from several different layers. Typically, memory foam and hybrid mattresses can be found in this thickness. If you suffer from spinal problems, they might be better suited to you.
• Extra Deep Mattresses
Extra deep mattresses are hard to come by these days. Anything more than 20+ inches is considered extra deep. These mattresses are difficult to transport and fit into bedrooms because they cannot be rolled or compressed. However, they are designed to be very comfortable and luxurious. A good alternative to an extra deep mattress is getting a mattress topper. These provide more thickness and support at a fraction of the cost, whilst also being more convenient.
Overall, we recommend getting a thinner or average depth mattress if you have children or weigh anything below 9 stone, as you can still receive complete spinal support from the structure’s compression. Moreover, if your mobility is limited or you’re shorter than the average person, then you can benefit from a thinner mattress. As they aren’t as tall, you can more easily climb in and out of bed. However, most people would be better suited to a deeper mattress.
Mattress and Bed Sizes UK Conclusion
That’s pretty much everything you need to know about mattress and bed sizes UK. We hope that you have found this information helpful and feel more confident about choosing the right product for your bedroom. Remember to always double-check the measurements and consider how the bed frame will affect the fit of your mattress. Don’t forget about depth, either!
