Bed size

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Single size bed

Bed size refers to the dimensions of a mattress and the names by which standard sizes are called. The dimensions and names vary considerably around the world, with most countries having their own standards and terminology.

While the double size appears to be standard among English speaking countries, based on the imperial measurement of 4 ft 6 in by 6 ft 3 in, the sizes for other bed types tend to vary. The European sizes differ, not merely because of difference based on use of the metric system.

A king-sized bed may have a king-sized box spring; or, two smaller box-springs are used under a king-sized mattress. It is a common misconception that on a U.S. standard or eastern king, the box springs are identical in size to a twin extra-long, however twin extra-long mattresses next to each other add up to 78 inches wide instead of the 76 inch width that is standard for an eastern king.

Standard sizes

Standard US sizes

A pillow top queen-size mattress.

Modern manufacturing conventions have resulted in a limited number of standard sizes of commercial bedding for mattresses and box springs. They vary by country of origin.

The sizes in the UK and Ireland, other than the double, vary compared to the U.S. sizes, being generally smaller. The U.S. queen corresponds to UK king and king to super king. The European or continental basic sizes are similar to the UK but have a set length of 2 metres. The terms queen, king and super king are not used in continental Europe, and double refers to 140 cm or any higher width. Instead of these US/UK denominations, the bed width is given in centimetres.

These dimensions are for the mattress—the actual bed frame will be a little bigger in order to fully encompass and support the mattress. The thickness of the mattress may vary considerably.

In the UK, IKEA only sells beds in European sizes and are sometimes known as 'IKEA size beds'^[2], especially given that there are very few places which sell European beds in the UK, and so owners of IKEA beds generally have to go to IKEA to buy correctly sized mattresses too.

The Queen size bed is the bigger out of the two beds (king and queen).

Other UK sizes

Small Single 

30 × 75 in (2′6″ × 6′3″, 76.2 × 190.5 cm)

Super Single 

42 × 75 in (3′6″ × 6′3″, 106.68 × 190.5 cm)

Small Double / Three Quarter 

48 × 78 in (4′ × 6′6″, 121.92 × 198.12 cm)

Queen 

60 × 79 in (5′ × 6′7″, 150 × 200 cm - equal to two small single mattresses)

King 

71 × 79 in (5′11" × 6′7″, 180 × 200 cm - equal to two single mattresses)

Other European sizes

Modern continental Europe practice is to refer to a bed by explicit width or size ("80 cm bed" or "80x200 cm bed").^{[citation needed]} Other sizes found include:

Extra Small Single 

0.75 × 2 m (30 × 79 in)

Small Single 

0.8 × 2 m (31 × 79 in)

Large Single 

1 × 2 m (39 × 79 in)

In France, Spain and Mexico, the length of older beds is sometimes 1.9 metres instead of 2 metres.^{[citation needed]}

Most mattress sizes in the Netherlands are also available in extra long, meaning 2.2 m instead of 2.0 m.

In the Scandinavian countries, standards vary from one country to another. In Norway, these sizes are used: Small single: 0.75 x 2m (30 x 79 inches) Single: 0.90 x 2m (35.5 x 79 inches) Large Single: 1.2m x 2m (47 x 79 inches) King: 1.50 x 2m (60 x 79 inches - equal to two small single mattresses) Queen: 1.80 x 2m (71 x 79 inches - equal to two single mattresses) Beds/mattresses are often available also in extra long (2.2m or 86.6 inches length). Some older beds are only 1.9m (75 inches) long, while antique beds often are even shorter (since they in older times often slept in a reclined position rather than the close to supine position which is common today, and also, on average, people are taller now than they used to be).

Other Australian sizes

Single Extra Long 

0.92 x 2.03 m (36 in by 80 in)

King Single 

1.06 × 2.03 m (41 × 80 in)

Other New Zealand sizes

The following bed sizes are available in New Zealand:

Long Single 

0.90 × 2.03 m (35 × 80 in)

King Single 

1.05 × 2.03 m (41 × 80 in)

Long Double 

1.35 × 2.03 m (53 × 80 in)

Queen 

1.52 x 2.03 m (60 x 80 in)

King 

1.65 × 2.03 m (65 × 80 in)

Super King 

1.80 × 2.03 m (71 × 80 in)

Californian King 

2.00 × 2.03 m (79 × 80 in)

See also

• Bed

References

1. ^ Mattress Size :: USA & Canada
2. ^ [1]

External links

• What Size Mattress? from The Better Sleep Council

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Beds

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mattresses