• Mattress Guides
    • Best Mattresses

    • Best Mattresses of 2023
    • For Side Sleepers
    • For Back Pain
    • Mail Order Mattress
    • Cooling Mattresses
    • Eco-Friendly Mattresses
    • Mattress Types

    • Fiberglass Free Mattresses
    • Memory Foam Mattresses
    • Hybrid Mattresses
    • Innerspring Mattresses
    • Soft Mattresses
    • Firm Mattresses
    • Mattress Reviews

    • Amerisleep Review
    • Zoma Review
    • Vaya Review
    • Avocado Review
    • Eight Sleep Review
    • Mattress Guides

    • Mattress Buying Guide
    • Mattress Sizes
    • Mattress Foundation Sizes
    • Bed Frame Sizes
  • Bedding Guides
    • Comforters & Blankets

    • Best Comforters
    • Best Down Comforters
    • Best Duvets
    • Best Blankets
    • Pillows

    • Best Pillows
    • Best Memory Foam Pillows
    • Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
    • Best Body Pillows
    • Comparisons

    • Cotton vs. Microfiber
    • Duvet vs. Comforter
    • FAQs

    • How to Wash Pillows?
    • How Often to Replace Every Type of Pillow
    • How Long Does it Take to Dry Clean a Comforter?
  • Mattress Resources
    • Mattress Comparison

    • Memory Foam vs. Pillow Top
    • Memory Foam vs. Spring
    • Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Hybrid vs. Memory Foam
    • Gel Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Size Comparison

    • King vs. California King
    • King vs. Queen
    • Queen vs. Full
    • Full vs. Twin
    • Twin vs. Twin XL
    • Solutions

    • Mattress Quiz
    • How to Fix a Sagging Mattress
    • How to Fix a Too Soft or Too Firm Mattress
    • How to Dispose of an Old Mattress
  • Sleep Health
    • How-To

    • How to Power Nap
    • How to Stop Snoring
    • How To Wake Up Early: 8 Benefits To Waking Up Early
    • How to Sleep on Your Back
    • Dreams

    • How to Lucid Dream: Techniques, Benefits, and Risks
    • Night Terrors vs. Nightmares
    • What is a Fever Dream?
    • Natural Sleep

    • Natural Herbs For Sleep
    • Essential Oils for Sleep
Home / Mattress Guides / Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Guide
Mattress Guides

Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Guide

by Kiera Pritchard Comment on Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Guide
Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Guide

Eachnight may earn commissions for products you purchase through our links. Our articles and reviews include affiliate links and advertisements, including amerisleep advertising. Learn more

Updated February 26, 2023

When we hear the word bunk bed, most of us imagine the standard twin mattress bunk bed. In actuality, bunk beds come in all sorts of sizes, from the typical twin all the way up to a king.

Bunk beds are great if you have a compact bedroom, you have more people in your home than bedrooms, your children share a room or have sleepovers often, or if you’re trying to maximize the number of sleepers per bedroom.

Bunk beds don’t use any special sort of mattress sizes, so you can fit any of your favorite mattresses on a bunk bed. Whether you prefer cooling gel memory foam mattress or hybrid bed, your bunk bed mattress should fit snugly into the bed frame to ensure the mattress won’t slip and slide and to prevent falls.

Let’s take a look at some of the bunk bed mattress sizes and variations you can find.

Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Chart

MattressDimensions (Inches)Dimensions (Centimeters)
Twin38" X 75"95.5 X 188.0cm
Twin XL38" X 80"96.5 X 203.5cm
Full54" X 75"134.5 X 190.5cm
Full XL54" X 80"137 X 203.5cm
Queen60" X 80"152 X 203.5cm
King76" X 80"192 X 203.5cm

Twin Bunk Bed Mattress Size

Most bunk beds hold twin size mattresses. It measures 75 inches long and 38 inches wide and works on both top and bottom bunk beds. One of the great parts about twin size bunk beds is they fit in basically any bedroom— all you need is vertical space to fit the height of the bunk bed.

Learn more about better sleep

Sign up for sleep health education, expert tips, and the latest and greatest mattress sales.

See Privacy Policy

Twin XL Bunk Bed Mattress Size

Twin XL bunk bed mattresses are slightly longer, measuring 80 by 38 inches. The extra 5 inches of length in a twin XL compared to a twin makes it more suitable for growing teens and adults. Twin XL mattresses fit both the top and bottom bunk and work well in dorms, studios, and small bedrooms.

Full Bunk Bed Mattress Size

Full, or double, bunk bed mattresses measure 75 by 54 inches. While full mattresses are typically used on the bottom bunk, people can use them for the top bunk as well. A full-size mattress works best for single sleepers. They can technically fit two people in case there’s limited space, but they are not comfortable as a consistent sleep situation for two people.

Full XL Bunk Bed Mattress Size

Full XL bunk bed mattresses are 80 inches long and 54 inches wide and work well for tall, single sleepers. Full XL mattresses can be both a top and bottom bunk, but it’s unlikely you’ll find a mattress larger than a full XL on a top bunk.

Queen Bunk Bed Mattress Size

While rare, it’s possible to find a bunk bed with a queen bottom bunk and a twin or twin XL top bunk. Queen bunk bed mattresses measure 80 by 60 inches and fit in most master bedrooms. Queen mattresses fit two people and the top bunk typically fits one, sleeping three people total.

King Bunk Bed Mattress Size

King bunk bed mattresses are another rare bunk bed size since they require a large master bedroom, but most families with a large master bedroom don’t want a bunk bed. King mattresses measure 80 by 76 inches and are for the bottom bunk only, while the top bunk will likely be a twin or twin XL. They work well for three people, with two people sleeping on the bottom bunk and one person sleeping on the top bunk.

Consider Mattress Thickness

When shopping for bunk bed mattresses, keep in mind the mattress’s thickness to ensure your top bunk is safe to sleep on.

Top bunks have guard rails to protect a sleeper from falling and injuring themselves at night. So, if your top bunk’s mattress is too thick, it might end up taller than the guard rails, leaving the sleeper at risk of falling and getting hurt. Additionally, the thicker the top bunk’s mattress is, the less clearance there will be between the sleeper and the ceiling.

Ideally, choose a 4 to 6-inch thick mattress for your top bunk. Not only will a thinner mattress fit within the guard rails, but it will be easier to get in and out of the top bunk, make the bed, and remove and replace bedding for laundry day.

For the bottom bunk mattress, there’s little to worry about and few safety guidelines—bottom bunks have similar guidelines to regular mattresses and bed frames. You can choose any mattress thickness for your bottom bunk.

Bunk Bed Variations

Beyond different mattress sizes, bunk beds come in various dimensions. These different shapes and forms can accommodate unique needs and living spaces.

Standard

The most common bunk bed variation is the standard bunk bed, with two beds on top of each other. Typically, standard bunk beds have two twin mattresses, but they can have any of the other sizes previously mentioned, such as a twin over full, full over full, or twin over queen.

Triple

Triple bunk beds are three bunks stacked on top of each other. They typically exclusively fit twin beds and require a tall ceiling to use since the beds are between 75 to 82 inches tall.

Triple Loft

Triple loft bunk beds have two top bunks connected at a 90-degree angle, and one bottom bunk underneath one of the two top bunks. The open space underneath the second top bunk leaves space for a desk or a couch. Due to the shape of triple loft bunk beds, they work best in the corner of a bedroom.

Shorty

Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes Guide

Shorty bunk beds are a low profile version of a standard bunk bed, measuring about 50 to 55 inches tall. A shorty bunk bed reduces the chance of injury in case someone falls out of the top bunk, though it doesn’t eliminate the risk. It also works well if you have limited ceiling space but still want a bunk bed.

Trundle

Bunk beds with a trundle bed attached are similar to standard bunk beds, only they have a sliding mattress underneath the bottom bunk. Trundle beds are useful when you’re trying to sleep three people but have limited space.

L-Shaped

L-shaped bunk beds have two bunks, but instead of being perfectly stacked, they’re perpendicular to each other. The bottom bunk is vertical, but the top bunk is horizontal. L-shaped bunk beds typically have more storage space than a standard bunk bed, though they do take up more space due to their perpendicular shape.

Futon

Futon bunk beds have a top bunk, but rather than a bottom bunk, there’s a futon in its place.  During the day, the futon is a couch, and at night, you can flatten it into a usable mattress. Futon mattresses are often thinner than standard mattresses and typically come in full size dimensions.

This couch-bed duo is good for dorm rooms or small apartments where you need to maximize your living space as much as possible.

FAQs

How tall are bunk beds?

There’s no standard bunk bed height, but they’re usually about 65 inches tall. Extra tall bunk beds are upwards of 75 to 82 inches, while short bunk beds are around 50 to 55 inches tall.

The right bunk bed height for your home depends on your ceiling height. There should be between 33 to 38 inches of clearance between the top bunk and the ceiling so a person can sit upright.

What’s the difference between loft beds and bunk beds?

Loft beds are similar to bunk beds since they both have an elevated bed, however, loft beds lack the bottom bunk. Instead of a bed, standard loft beds have space for desks, couches, or toys. Loft beds work well for single people living in a small space such as a studio, apartment, or dorm.

Do bunk beds need box springs?

Box springs aren’t required for bunk beds because they’re too tall and, as we’ve noted, too tall of a bed is dangerous for top bunks. Also, a box spring only works for an innerspring mattress, and nowadays, most people prefer a latex, hybrid, or memory foam mattress.

Rather than adding a base to a bunk bed, most bunk beds have slats or a bunkie board to support the mattress.

Can adults sleep in bunk beds?

There’s no age limit on bunk beds; however, adults should look for heavy-duty or high-capacity bunk beds if they want to sleep on a bunk bed regularly. Heavy-duty bunk beds have between a 250 to 800-pound weight capacity for the top bunk, while child-specific bunk beds only have a 150 to 220-pound weight capacity.

A larger bunk bed size is ideal for adult sleepers so they have enough space to stretch out and enough legroom for comfort. Also, a bunk bed should have enough overhead clearance so an adult can sit upright comfortably on the top bunk.

When sleeping on top bunks, keep in mind that top bunk mattresses are usually quite thin (4 to 6 inches). Thin mattresses likely thin foam comfort layers and won’t properly relieve an adult’s pressure points or cushion their spine and hips. An adult’s weight may also impact a thin mattress’s durability, causing any coils or foam to break down and require repairs or replacement.

Are bunk beds with stairs safer?

Most bunk beds have a small ladder attached to it so you can get to and from the top bunk easily. However, an increasing number of bunk beds have stairs in place of a ladder. Bunk beds with stairs and handrails make it easier and safer to access the top bunk, especially for young children.

Bunk beds with stairs take up more space and are generally pricier than bunk beds with ladders. However, the stairs sometimes double as storage drawers, so this can make up for the space they take up and the added cost.

What Bunk Bed Mattress Size is Right For You?

Bunk beds are ideal when you’re trying to maximize a small space, whether for an RV, a small apartment, or a kid’s bedroom. The best bunk bed mattress size for you depends on how many people are using the bed, their size, and their age.

About the author
Kiera Pritchard

Kiera Pritchard’s curiosity about dreams and dreaming sparked her passion for sleep science. In addition to writing for eachnight, Kiera is also a physical trainer and strives to help others lead healthy lives while asleep and awake. Since joining our team, Kiera has compiled multiple sleep health guides offering our readers advice on how to improve their days and evenings. 

Find more articles by Kiera

Comments

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s the best mattress?

Best Mattress

We’ve spent countless hours finding the best mattresses out there so you don’t have to hunt for them.

See Our Best Mattress Picks

Mattress Guides

Best Mattress for Daybeds
Best Mattress for Daybeds: Reviews and Buyer's Guide
Narwan Amini
Best-Mattress-For-Neck-Pain
Best Mattress for Neck Pain
Rosie Osmun
best-memory-foam-mattress-for-back-pain
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Pain (2023): Reviews and Buyer's Guide
Kiera Pritchard

EachNight Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

The EachNight writing team is devoted to creating articles that are not only entertaining and easy to understand but also as impartial, accurate, and well-sourced as possible. Whenever possible, we strive to have our articles fact-checked by our independent review board. We also do not tolerate plagiarism or ill intent from our contributors.

Here are the medical and factual guidelines that a EachNight article must adhere to:

  • We draw upon only reputable and respectable sources when researching our articles’ topics and endeavor to only link to highly authoritative sources. Such sources would include peer-reviewed medical and academic journals, medical and academic associations in good standing, and interviews with or blog posts from certified medical professionals.
  • We may link to news articles or peer-reviewed medical blog posts about studies when appropriate, but always attempt to connect directly to the studies these pages discuss.
  • Our scientific information, conclusions, and analysis are always supported by at least one reputable source.
  • We strive to make any potential conflicts of interest attached to any studies or sources clear to our readers. When applicable, we also try to include conflicting research or questions that may throw a study’s conclusion into doubt to clarify that scientific understandings often change and progress over time.
  • Our articles typically link to other articles and resources on our site. This is solely for easier navigation, and we do not promote our website as a medical resource. Try to speak with your physician if you have medical concerns.
  • Any necessary background information on a topic will be included when appropriate.
  • Our goal is for every one of our medical-related articles to be reviewed by our independent board of experts. Should they spot any medical or health-related misinformation or errors, we will strike it out from the final published article.

What’s a Certified Sleep Coach?

Our writers are sleep coaches certified by the Spencer Institute, which has been training coaches since 1992. Becoming a certified sleep coach means that our writers are well-versed in various sleep science matters, taking us beyond being just a group of mattress reviewers. The certification allows us an in-depth understanding of what we’re talking about when it comes to advising readers on better sleep habits.

About Us

Our simple goal is to provide the information you need to get better sleep each night. We provide a full-circle approach to sleep and wellness that incorporates mental, physical, and environmental well-being.

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Expert Review Board

Our Guides

  • Mattress Guides
  • Mattress Reviews
  • Best Mattress
  • Mattress Quiz
  • Sleep Health
  • Sleep Calculator
  • Mattress Sizes

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out about content, features and more happening at eachnight.

You must enter a valid email.
Each Night Logo

Copyright © 2023 eachnight. All rights reserved.