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Mattress Size Guide

Buying a too-small mattress is one of the biggest mistakes new bed-buyers make. Couples who've been sleeping on a "double" since they got married may think they have enough room, until they learn that each person has only as much sleeping space as a baby's crib!

Here are size guidelines for shoppers from the Better Sleep Council:

Full beds. Sometimes still called "double," full beds are 53 inches wide, which is just 15 inches wider than a twin size (single). That leaves each partner only 27 inches of personal space, or about the width of a crib. Both twin and full sizes are approximately 75 inches long, which may be too short for some adults, especially men.

Full bed Recommendations: A Full size bed is only enough space for a single sleeper and only if the person is under 5 feet 5 inches tall. Parents are increasingly choosing full size over twin for teenage bedrooms. Parents are even making this choice for younger children in to give themselves a more comfortable place to rest when reading together at tuck-in time.

Queen beds. A queen bed is 60 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long – 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a full size mattress. These added inches can make all the difference in comfort, especially for couples, and have made the queen today's most popular mattress size. However, with 30 inches of personal space, each adult still has 9 inches less width than if they slept alone in a twin bed.

Recommendations: Queen size is a good choice for guest rooms, smaller master bedrooms and for couples who prefer close quarters. It's also a great choice for single sleepers who are also "sprawlers."

King beds. These are 76 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long – about 18 inches wider than a queen. This is the closest a couple can come to having as much personal space (38 inches) as each would have on a twin bed. In fact, two twin extra-long beds pushed together are about the same size, an option that can offer a flexible arrangement for a guest room. For consumers on the west coast, there is also the "California King," which is 72 inches wide by 84 inches long – 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than a regular king.

Recommendations: King size is the best choice for couples that want maximum personal sleeping space. It's also the best bet to accommodate that time on Sunday morning when children may pop into bed – or if the pets in your house have mattress privileges! However, size can be a problem. Even with a "split boxspring" – two twin-size foundations to support it – to make a king set more manageable, it may be too big for some bedrooms or too bulky to navigate through some corridors, doors and stairwells. It's a good idea to break out the tape measure to check your room dimensions if there is any doubt.

Nancy Shark of the Better Sleep Council answers consumers' commonly-asked questions.

Q: Is it normal for my mattress to get body impressions?

A: Yes. Many of today's top-quality mattresses use extra-plush foams and fibers to create comfort layers designed to cradle your body and relieve pressure. In the first few weeks you sleep on a new mattress with extra comfort layers, you will likely notice some body impressions on the surface. These impressions are normal. They indicate that the comfort layers are conforming to your body, as they are supposed to do, and shouldn't be considered a sign that something is wrong with your new mattress.

Q: I'm shopping for a platform bed. Should I expect it to feel the same as a regular sleep set?

A: Not really. The way a mattress feels when you try it in the store is partly due to its matching foundation (boxspring) – they are engineered to work in tandem with one another. When you replace the foundation with a platform bed's rigid surface, the feel will be different – generally, firmer and less resilient. You might also want to consult with your salesperson to determine if there are any changes in warranty coverage for a mattress used without its matching foundation.

Q: Will I be able to find fitted sheets if I buy a thicker bed?

A: Most definitely. Mattress shoppers are often concerned that they won't be able to find sheets to fit the newer plush, extra-thick models. But fortunately, bed linens have adapted to these state-of-the-art mattresses and foundations. Sheets, comforters and mattress pads for these new, thicker mattresses are readily available, and often noted on packaging as compatible with "extra deep" mattresses or featuring "deep pocket" construction.

Q: Does softer mean less support?

A: Not with a new mattress. Innovations in coil constructions and a new generation of foams have made it possible for mattresses to offer a wide range of surface softness options without sacrificing the deep-down support that your body needs.

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