Should you buy a King or California King sized bed? Is a Full sized bed large enough for two people? What’s the deal with Twin XL? Whether you’re in the market for a mattress or planning the layout of a bedroom it’s important to know definitively how to think about mattress sizes.
Here’s a breakdown of standard North American sizes:
Twin: 39” wide x 75” long
Twin XL: 39” wide x 80” long
Full: 54” wide x 75” long
Queen: 60” wide x 80” long
King: 76” wide x 80” long
CA King: 72” wide x 84” long
King vs. California King
One of the most common pieces of misinformation we hear about mattress sizes relates to the length and width of King vs. California King. A normal King mattress is WIDER and SHORTER than a California King mattress. This of course means that a California King mattress is LESS WIDE and LONGER than a normal King mattress. We frequently hear this comparison wrongly swapped, but now you know!
If you’re deciding between which size works best for you, we advise thinking through the shape and design of your bedroom. Both beds should give ample width and length for two people of various shapes and sizes. The one caveat is if one partner is extremely tall, he or she may be more comfortable with a California King.
Full Size
Another question we get a lot is whether or not two people can comfortably share a Full size mattress. You’ll notice that a Full is half a foot thinner and five inches shorter than a Queen size, which is your standard option for couples living in smaller bedrooms. That reduction in both length and width can make a major difference or it could be barely noticeable – it really depends on your size and sleeping position. If one partner moves at night, space permitting, we would suggest using a Queen mattress or larger.
Twin XL
Let us take you back to your college years…because that’s basically the only place you’ll really find Twin XL sized mattresses outside of certain bunk bed units and special situations. The “XL” refers to the mattresses length, which is 5 inches longer than your normal Twin.
Have more questions about mattresses sizes? Feel free to email us at help@helixsleep.com, we’d be more than happy to chat!