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The biggest mistake new bed-buyers make is picking one that’s just not big enough for their needs. Everyone has suffered through at least one night squeezed into an uncomfortable cot or sofa bed, but most don’t realize that even a full- or queen-sized mattress can be too small for some people, especially if they’re sharing the bed!
Sleeping on a too-small mattress can lead to muscle soreness, disturbed sleep, and even serious health problems over time. The key to a great sleep is choosing a mattress that is big enough to stretch out and move around on without disturbing your partner or rolling off the edge. This guide will help you understand bed dimensions and provide recommendations so you can find the right fit for your sleep health.
Standard mattress measurements varies from country to country, but in Canada there are 6 main sizes that you’ll find from almost every manufacturer: Twin (also called Single), Twin XL, Full (also called Double), Queen, standard King, and California King.
Generally speaking, children and teens are more comfortable in a Full-sized bed or smaller, while adults and couples prefer Queen-sized or larger.
Before you choose a mattress, you’ll need to measure your room to make sure it will fit comfortably (don’t forget to measure the door!). Check out the bed size chart below for the standard measurements:
|
Width x Length (in) |
Width x Length (cm) |
|
|
Crib |
28 x 51" |
71.1 x 129.5 cm |
|
Twin/Single |
38 x 74 ½" |
96.5 x 189 cm |
|
Twin/Single XL |
38 x 79 ½" |
96.5 x 202 cm |
|
Full/Double |
53 x 74 ½" |
134.5 x 189 cm |
|
Queen |
60 x 79 ½" |
152.5 x 202 cm |
|
King |
76 x 79 ½" |
193 x 202 cm |
|
California King |
72 x 84" |
183 x 213 cm |
As a general rule, you should choose the largest mattress that will fit inside your room size, the better! You should also consider how tall you are and whether or not you’ll be sharing the bed.
To give yourself the best chance at a great sleep every night, your mattress needs to be big enough to accommodate you and your partner (or pets!) without disturbing each other's sleep, with plenty of room to spread out if you get too hot during the night. Ideally, you’ll have at least 12 inches of extra sleeping space at the foot of your bed and enough room to roll over without disturbing your partner.
Here is a quick overview of the most standard bed sizes in Canada and when you might use them:
The smallest bed dimensions available, twin/single mattresses are a great choice for a child’s room size, guest room, or daybed, but are too short for most adults at only 74 ½ inches long. If you’re tight on space and only need enough room for one adult, a twin XL mattress might be a good alternative! This size is just as long as a queen or king sized mattress, but skinnier, so it can fit in a smaller room size.
A double-sized bed is a great option if you’re looking for something your child can use for several years. Popular in teenagers’ bedrooms, a double is the same length as a twin mattress but 15 inches wider so there is plenty of room for a single person to stretch out. However, there is not enough room for two people and it may be too short for most adults.
Queen mattresses are a popular choice for single adults or couples who don’t mind touching each other when they sleep. This option is a good middle-ground if you want extra living space in your bedroom without sacrificing too much personal space!
If you move around a lot at night or want to maximize your personal space when you’re sharing a bed, a king mattress is the way to go. The extra 16 inches of width compared to a queen makes a huge difference in personal comfort! A king-sized mattress might be too wide for some doorways, however, so you’ll want to measure everything ahead of time. Be sure to account for the space you need for any nightstands or other furniture in your sleeping space as well.
A California king-sized mattress is 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than a traditional king-sized bed, which makes it a better fit for most doorways. If you have a large or especially long bedroom, it is a great size to help balance things out. It’s perfect for tall people who need more space at the foot of the bed.