How to Measure Your Mattress

Measuring your mattress is important for fitting your mattress in your bedroom, buying the right size bedding, and having room for any other furniture. Furthermore, measuring ensures you and your co-sleeping partners are sleeping on a mattress that is large enough.

According to the 2-foot rule, you should have at least 2 feet of open space around the perimeter of your bed. This allows you to easily navigate your room in the middle of the night without tripping.

In this article, we’ll teach you how to measure the width and length of your mattress. In addition, we’ll provide you with the different mattress sizes and types to guide your mattress shopping.

Measuring Your Mattress

1. The first thing you’ll want to do when measuring your mattress is remove all bedding and pillows. Bedding gets in the way and can add extra length or width when measuring.
2. Next, you’ll need to grab an accurate tape measure or ruler that can be attached to the side of the bed while you measure it.
3. First, you’ll need to use the tape measure to get the length of your bed. To do so, measure from the top or head of your bed down to the bottom or foot of your bed. This vertical height gives you the length of your bed.
4. To measure the width of your bed, you’ll want to measure from the left side of the mattress to the right edge of the mattress.
5. To measure the height, thickness, or depth of the mattress, measure vertically along the side of your mattress. Most mattresses fall between 8 to 14 inches in height.
6. Once the above measurements are done, you’re ready to shop for bedding, a frame, and a foundation for your bed. Measurements for these items are in a width by length format.

Standard Mattress Sizes

Twin

Twin mattresses work well for kids, teens, and college dorm rooms. The dimensions of a twin size mattress are 38 inches by 75 inches. To avoid an overcrowded bedroom, place a twin bed in a room that measures 7 feet by 10 feet.

Twin XL

A twin XL mattress is best for taller single sleepers who need additional legroom. A twin XL bed measures 38 inches by 80 inches. Twin XL mattresses need to be put in a room that measures 9 feet 6 inches by 10 feet 6 inches.

Full

Full size mattresses can sleep either one full size adult or two small children. The dimensions of a full size mattress are 54 inches by 75 inches. According to the 2-foot rule, a full-size mattress should be set up in a room that measures 9 feet 6 inches by 10 feet 6 inches.

Queen

A queen size bed is great for couples with average size bedrooms. The dimensions of a queen mattress are 60 inches by 80 inches. For best results, queen mattresses need to be put in a room that measures at least 10 feet by 10 feet.

King

A king bed is optimal for couples who need extra space to sleep comfortably or those who plan to co-sleep with their children. The dimensions of a king size mattress are 76 inches by 80 inches. King mattresses need to be set up in larger bedrooms that measure at least 12 feet by 12 feet.

California King

Those who want a luxurious amount of space should go with a California king mattress. This roomy bed is perfect for taller or larger couples who want to share their bed with 1 to 2 small children. A California king mattress measures 72 inches by 84 inches. California king mattresses need to be put in a room that measures at least 12 feet by 12 feet.

Mattress Types

Once you’ve settled on a mattress size for your space, you’ll need to choose a mattress type. The different types of mattresses come in a range of firmness levels, price points, and support levels.

Certain foundation are also more well-suited to specific mattress types. See our best mattresses for adjustable beds, for example, if you want a flexible mattress that can bend with an adjustable base.

Similarly, memory foam mattresses cannot be put on a box spring, nor can other all-foam or hybrid mattresses. Only traditional innerspring mattresses can be paired with box springs.

Airbed

An airbed contains a system of air chambers for support. This type of bed is cheap, lightweight, and easy to install. However, airbeds aren’t very durable or comfortable to sleep on long-term. If you’re looking to host overnight guests for a few days, an airbed is a suitable option.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses contain a pocketed coil system to aid in pressure point relief. Bouncy support is a notable tenant of hybrid beds. This responsive feeling results in some motion transfer, which may not be ideal if you’re a light sleeper.

Drawbacks of hybrid mattresses include a higher price tag and difficulty lifting the bed without assistance.

SEE ALSO: Hybrid Mattress Buying Guide

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are known for their edge support. This edge support is a result of their steel coil support system. Innerspring beds are breathable and budget-friendly. However, they may be too stiff or not supportive enough for sleepers with health conditions or joint pain.

Latex

Latex mattresses reduce motion transfer and do a superior job of keeping you cool while you sleep. The natural latex foam used in this bed provides you with responsive and bouncy support. The only downsides of purchasing a latex mattress are the higher price tag.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses conform to the unique shape of your body. This body-hugging sensation can aid in joint support and promote better spinal alignment. Another benefit of a memory foam bed includes motion isolation, which is great for couples and light sleepers. Hot sleepers should opt for a memory foam mattress with cooling gel.

A memory foam bed pairs well with an adjustable bed. A latex mattress does as well, but a latex bed can make the purchase of an already-expensive adjustable bed feel even more costly.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Joint Pain

FAQs

Is a California King size mattress too big for one person?

A California king mattress isn’t necessarily too big for single adults. The biggest factor in determining whether a California king bed is right for you is your budget and room size. The larger your mattress size, the more expensive it typically is. If your room measures at least 12 feet by 12 feet, you’ll be perfectly fine sleeping by yourself on this larger mattress.

What do 2 full beds make?

You cannot combine 2 full beds to make a comparably sized queen or king bed. However, you can use two twin XL beds to make a king size bed. Twin XL mattresses are 5 inches longer than a standard twin. This pairing works well if you want a split king adjustable bed.

Do I need to include the height of my bed frame when measuring my mattress?

You do not need to include the height of your bed frame when measuring your bed. If your bed frame adds a considerable amount of height to your mattress, it may cause your comforter to be too short.

In this case, you could consider stepping up to a larger comforter or duvet. If you have a full bed, for example, you could step up to a queen comforter for added length.

Which size mattress is best for couples?

Queen size beds make the best mattresses for couples. Which mattress size is best for you and your partner depends on your size and space needs. Some taller or larger framed couples are more comfortable with the added space that a king or California king mattress offers.

What size mattress do I need?

When deciding which size mattress you need, you’ll need to address several factors. The first factors to consider are the size of your bedroom and how many people will be sharing the bed. It is never a good idea to put too large of a bed into a compact bedroom or studio apartment.

The next factors you’ll want to look at are sleeper size and budget. Are you going to be sharing your bed with the same size partner, a different size partner, or co-sleeping with your children? The price of your bed is impacted by the size and type of mattress you choose. Large mattresses are typically more expensive.

Conclusion

Knowing how to correctly measure your mattress is important for bedroom planning and shopping for bedding accessories. Use a tape measure to calculate the width and length of your mattress. It is also helpful to measure your bedroom before purchasing a mattress. You’ll want to have at least 2 feet of open space around the outside of your bed.

Use the sizes and dimensions guide provided to help assist you in choosing a mattress for your space. When choosing a mattress type, keep your budget and the support needs of all sleepers in mind.