A queen mattress may be the most popular mattress size, but it’s certainly not the best fit for every room. Below, we give the industry standard measurements for the most common mattress sizes and help you decide which size most suits your needs.
When buying a new mattress, consider these factors that can affect what mattress size fits your lifestyle:
- Room Size: Quite literally, what's the square footage you're working with? A good way to know what size mattress will fit into your space is to measure the length and width of the room. You can use a standard tape measure or get a rough estimate with a digital tape measure on your cell phone. Once you have the final measurements, pick the mattress size that most comfortably fits in the room. Remember to consider the dimensions of the bed frame and other furniture within the room as well.
- Number of Sleepers: Is it just you? You and your dog? You and your spouse and four dogs? A full-size bed may be just right for a single sleeper, but it can get cramped with two people and a pet or two. Those who have pets and small children who like to crawl into bed frequently may want to consider a king-size bed (or even larger).
- Sleepers' Sizes: For average-sized adults, a queen-sized mattress is usually adequate, but for those who like to move around or those who are bigger and taller than average, a king mattress or a California king may feel more comfortable. If you’re looking for something even bigger than a king or California king, check out non-standard mattress sizes that are larger than normal, like an Olympic queen or an Alaskan king.
- Sleeping Positions: Though we tend to identify with one type of sleeping position, such as back, side, or stomach sleeping, the truth is that most of us are combination sleepers. This means that even if you fall asleep on your back, you may wake up on your side. Consider how much room you may need to move around or spread out at night when picking a bed size.
- Mattress Price: In general, the larger the mattress, the higher the price. Some mattress sizes, like king- and California king-size mattresses, can cost the same, but this isn’t always true. And if you size up your mattress, keep in mind you’ll have to buy a new bed frame and sheets to accommodate all the extra inches.
Best For:
- Kid's rooms
- Day beds
- Small rooms
A twin mattress is often the first upgrade from a crib mattress and is commonly used in children’s rooms. A twin mattress is typically 38 inches wide by 75 inches long and usually fits small bed frames, daybeds, and bunk beds.
Best Twin Mattresses
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Twin Mattresses | Sleep Trial | Warranty | Type | Firmness | Price | Learn More |
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| Nectar Memory Foam : Twin » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $699 | Buy a Twin! |
| Avocado Green Mattress : Twin » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $1,399 | Buy a Twin! |
| The WinkBed : Twin » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,149 | Buy a Twin! |
| Bear Original : Twin » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $748 | Buy a Twin! |
| Nolah Evolution 15 : Twin » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,499 | Buy a Twin! |
What Is the Difference Between a Twin and Twin XL?
A twin XL adds 5 extra inches of length to the end of a twin mattress. Twin XLs are typically used for the following reasons:
- Twin XL is the standard-size mattress for a university dorm room. This size can meet the needs of young single adults better than a regular twin mattress without costing significantly more.
- If you sleep in a small space but are at least 6 feet tall, a twin XL will give you more room than a typical twin bed. Both mattresses measure 38 inches in width, but a twin XL is 80 inches long, whereas a regular twin is 75 inches.
If you’re part of a couple and you’ve been thinking about a split king bed, note that it is equivalent in size to two twin XL mattresses together. A split king can be a good choice for couples who have very different firmness preferences or don’t want to feel each other’s movements throughout the night.
| Mattress Size | Dimensions (Width x Length) |
| Twin | 38” x 75” |
| Twin XL | 38” x 80” |
Best For:
- Single people without pets
A full bed is as long as a twin bed at 75 inches but much wider at 54 inches and can fit an average-sized adult.
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Full Mattresses | Sleep Trial | Warranty | Type | Price | Learn More |
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| Avocado Green Mattress : Full » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | $1,699 | Buy a Full! |
| Birch Natural : Full » | 100 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | $1,349 | Buy a Full! |
| Bear Original : Full » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | $873 | Buy a Full! |
| Saatva Classic : Full » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Innerspring | $1,895 | Buy a Full! |
| Helix Midnight : Full » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | $1,249 | Buy a Full! |
Is a Full-Size Bed Big Enough for Two People?
A full-size bed could be big enough for two people, but it can depend on who exactly is sharing the bed.
- Are you or your partner considered large or tall? For larger or taller bodies, a full bed is likely not enough space for two people to share comfortably. You may end up bumping into each other or pushing each other out of the bed.
- How many will be sleeping in the bed? If you and your partner share the bed with children or pets, consider sizing up to a king- or California king-size mattress.
Best For:
- Single sleepers
- People with small pets
A queen-size mattress measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. You’ll find a queen-size model of all the main mattress types: innerspring, foam, hybrid, and adjustable air. A queen mattress is the most popular mattress size on the market, and as such you should have no problem finding bed frames or sheets to fit.
You’ll benefit the most from a queen-size bed if you’re a single, average-sized adult who tends to move around a lot, a couple, or someone who sleeps with a small pet, like a cat. If you’re considering a queen for your bedroom, take a look at our rating of the Best Mattresses or our selection of the Best Queen Mattresses.
Best Queen Mattresses
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Queen Mattresses | Sleep Trial | Warranty | Type | Firmness | Price | Learn More |
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| Avocado Green Mattress : Queen » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $1,999 | Buy a Queen! |
| Helix Midnight : Queen » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | Medium | $1,374 | Buy a Queen! |
| The WinkBed : Queen » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,799 | Buy a Queen! |
| Saatva Classic : Queen » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Innerspring | Medium-Soft, Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,995 | Buy a Queen! |
| Nectar Memory Foam : Queen » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $1,099 | Buy a Queen! |
Best For:
- Master bedrooms
- Couples who need more space
- People who share the bed with pets
The dimensions of a king bed are typically 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. A king mattress is typically the most expensive mattress size as it is one of the largest sizes offered by many companies.
King beds are pretty common so finding bed sheets, mattress toppers, and protectors that fit is easy. Most bedding and mattress companies offer a size king in all their mattress products.
Best King Mattresses
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King Mattresses | Sleep Trial | Warranty | Type | Firmness | Price | Learn More |
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| Birch Natural : King » | 100 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $1,799 | Buy a King! |
| Nolah Evolution 15 : King » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $2,699 | Buy a King! |
| Helix Midnight : King » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | Medium | $1,749 | Buy a King! |
| The WinkBed : King » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $1,999 | Buy a King! |
| Saatva Classic : King » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Innerspring | Medium-Soft, Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $2,495 | Buy a King! |
Best For:
- Those who need more legroom
- People who sleep with pets at the foot of the bed
A California king mattress measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long, which is 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than a traditional king mattress. Most mattresses in our Best Mattresses of 2024 rating are available in a California king size. However, not all companies offer this size so your options are fewer. California king-sized bed frames, mattress protectors, and bed sheets may also be harder to find and a bit more expensive. When it comes to price though, California king mattresses typically cost the same as a traditional king mattress so there’s no major price hike to worry about.
For couples who have different mattress preferences, a split California king is a viable option. Similar to a split king, a split California king is two twin XL mattresses side-by-side.
Best California King Mattresses
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California King Mattresses | Sleep Trial | Warranty | Type | Firmness | Price | Learn More |
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| Nolah Evolution 15 : California King » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium-Soft, Medium-Firm, Firm | $2,699 | Buy a California King! |
| Nectar Memory Foam : California King » | 365 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $1,399 | Buy a California King! |
| Bear Original : California King » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Foam | Medium-Firm | $1,248 | Buy a California King! |
| The WinkBed : California King » | 120 Nights | Lifetime | Hybrid | Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm | $2,049 | Buy a California King! |
| Helix Midnight : California King » | 100 Nights | 10 Years | Hybrid | Medium | $1,749 | Buy a California King! |
| Avocado Green Mattress : California King » | 365 Nights | 25 Years | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | $2,599 | Buy a California King! |
Is a California King Bigger Than a King?
A California king bed is technically smaller overall than a king-size bed. California king beds are 84 inches long, which is 4 inches longer than a standard king mattress at 80 inches. At 72 inches wide, a California king is 4 inches narrower than a standard king, which measures 76 inches wide.
The total surface area of a king-size mattress (6,080 square inches) is larger than that of a California king (6,048 square inches), but those who are taller may benefit from the greater length that a California king mattress provides. However, couples may prefer a standard king-size bed for its larger width. Since most mattress manufacturers sell these sizes for about the same price, you won’t be paying for the added length or extra space.
For further information, visit our guide that compares a California king to a standard king mattress.
Queen-size mattresses are the most popular mattress size. They are large enough for a couple to share, but small enough to fit in most bedrooms. Because queen-size mattresses are so popular, you likely won’t have trouble finding one that’s affordable. Our rating of the Best Mattresses of 2024 can help you find the right mattress for your budget.
Popular Mattress Companies
- Price (Queen)
$1,995$1,845- Type
- Innerspring
- Firmness
- Medium-Soft, Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm
Price reflects discount on Queen mattress.
Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Price (Queen)
- $1,099
- Type
- Foam
- Firmness
- Medium-Firm
Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Price (Queen)
$1,799$1,499- Type
- Hybrid
- Firmness
- Medium, Medium-Firm, Firm
Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Price (Queen)
- $1,374
- Type
- Hybrid
- Firmness
- Medium
Best Cooling Organic Mattress
- Price (Queen)
$1,999$1,699- Type
- Hybrid
- Firmness
- Medium-Firm
Best Overall
- Price (Queen)
$1,332$665- Type
- Hybrid
- Firmness
- Medium-Firm
Need More Advice?
Our sleep team has done countless hours of research on all sorts of sleep products. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered in one of our guides, send an email to sleep@usnews.com, and we’ll do our best to help.
About Our Team
Haniya Rae, Staff Writer and Editor
Haniya Rae is a journalist, editor, and Certified Sleep Science Coach. She has nearly a decade of product reviewing experience, and more than five years of experience writing about sleep products and sleep health. Before joining U.S. News, she reported on test results for mattresses, pillows, and sheets at Consumer Reports. She is currently the sleep editor for U.S. News & World Report’s 360 Reviews vertical.