Mattress dimensions in centimetres, the EU and UK names that mean different things, and how much floor a bed really needs once you add the frame and room to walk around it.
Bed sizes are where naming gets confusing, because the same word means different dimensions in the EU, the UK, and the US. The centimetres are what matter for planning, so the table below leads with those and notes the naming differences honestly rather than pretending there is one global standard.
Mattress sizes in centimetres
Widths are the moving part. Lengths are 190 cm across most UK and traditional sizes and 200 cm on the larger and continental European sizes.
| Name | Width x length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190 cm | EU and UK single; one adult or child |
| Small Double | 120 x 190 cm | UK; also sold as a 'four foot' |
| Double / Full | 135 to 140 x 190 cm | UK Double 135, US Full 137, EU 140 |
| Queen / UK King | 150 x 200 cm | UK King is 150; US Queen is 152 x 203 |
| King / UK Super King | 180 x 200 cm | UK Super King is 180; US King is 193 x 203 |
Floor space a bed needs
A mattress is not the footprint. A frame adds a few centimetres each side, and you need room to make the bed and get in. As a rule, add about 140 cm to the mattress length for the frame plus getting-in space, and leave 70 cm of clear floor on each side you use to get in.
| Bed | Mattress | With clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190 cm | ~1.6 x 2.3 m (one side + foot) |
| Double / Full | 135 x 190 cm | ~2.7 x 2.3 m (both sides + foot) |
| Queen / UK King | 150 x 200 cm | ~2.9 x 2.4 m (both sides + foot) |
| King / Super King | 180 x 200 cm | ~3.2 x 2.4 m (both sides + foot) |
The 70 cm figure is the minimum to walk and dress beside a bed; drop to 60 cm only for a side that just needs access, and give the primary side 90 cm if the room allows. The full set of bedroom clearances is in the furniture clearance and walkway spacing guide.
Which size fits which room
- Under 3 x 3 m: a Double (135 cm) centred on one wall, accessed from both sides, or a Single against a wall if you need floor for a desk or wardrobe.
- 3 x 3.5 m: a Queen / UK King (150 cm) works with 70 cm on both sides, the comfortable sweet spot for one bedroom.
- 3.5 x 4 m and up: a King / Super King (180 cm) fits with room to spare, plus bedside tables and a walk-around.
- Any room: put the long side of the bed along the room so the two get-in sides face the open floor, not a wall you then cannot reach.
Do not forget the headboard
A headboard adds 5 to 15 cm to the bed length against the wall, and an upholstered one more. If your wall is exactly the mattress length plus clearance, a chunky headboard can push the foot of the bed into the walkway. Measure the frame length with the headboard, not the bare mattress.
Laying out the whole room? See how to lay out a 3x4 bedroom and how to arrange furniture in a small bedroom. Every other bedroom piece, from nightstands to wardrobes, is in the furniture dimensions guide.
Common questions
- What are the standard bed sizes in cm?
- Single 90 x 190 cm, Small Double 120 x 190 cm, Double 135 to 140 x 190 cm, Queen / UK King 150 x 200 cm, and King / UK Super King 180 x 200 cm. Lengths are 190 cm on traditional UK sizes and 200 cm on the larger continental ones.
- Is a UK King the same as a US King?
- No. A UK King is 150 cm wide, similar to a US Queen (152 cm). A US King is 193 cm wide, closer to a UK Super King (180 cm). Always match the centimetres when buying across regions.
- How much space do you need around a bed?
- Leave about 70 cm of clear floor on each side you use to get in and dress, 60 cm minimum for a side that only needs access. Add roughly 140 cm to the mattress length for the frame and getting-in space at the foot.
- What size bed fits a small bedroom?
- A Double (135 cm) suits a room under about 3 x 3 m if centred on a wall with access from both sides. A Queen / UK King (150 cm) wants closer to 3 x 3.5 m to keep 70 cm on each side.