How the bed size calculator works
There are two tabs:
- Bed for my room: enter the size of your bedroom and choose how much space you want at the sides and the foot of the bed. You get the largest bed that fits, which way round to put it, a table showing every size, and a plan view.
- Room for my bed: pick a bed size, and see the room size it needs.
You can choose US, UK or metric bed sizes.
Standard bed sizes
| US size | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 × 75 | 97 × 191 |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80 | 97 × 203 |
| Full | 54 × 75 | 137 × 191 |
| Queen | 60 × 80 | 152 × 203 |
| California King | 72 × 84 | 183 × 213 |
| King | 76 × 80 | 193 × 203 |
| UK size | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 36 × 75 | 91 × 191 |
| Small double | 48 × 75 | 122 × 191 |
| Double | 54 × 75 | 137 × 191 |
| King | 60 × 78 | 152 × 198 |
| Super king | 72 × 78 | 183 × 198 |
These are mattress sizes. A bed frame, headboard or footboard can add 2 to 6 in on every side, so check the frame size too.
How much space do you need around a bed?
- At the sides: 24 in (60 cm) is the minimum for getting in and out and making the bed. 30 in (76 cm) is comfortable, and 36 in (91 cm) is roomy.
- At the foot: 24 in is the minimum, 30 in is comfortable, and 36 in or more is good if there is a walkway or a dresser at the foot.
- Next to a wall: if one side of the bed is against the wall, you only need space on the other side, but it is harder to make the bed.
- Bedside tables: they sit in the space at the side, and are usually 18 to 24 in wide, so they fit within the 24 to 30 in.
- Doors and wardrobes: a door needs its swing space, and a wardrobe needs about 36 in in front of it, so add those on top.
The smallest room for each bed
| Bed | Smallest practical room |
|---|---|
| Twin or single | 7 × 10 ft |
| Full or double | 9 × 10 ft |
| Queen | 10 × 10 ft |
| King | 12 × 12 ft |
These are the sizes at which the bed fits with the basics. A bigger room is needed for a dresser, a desk or an armchair.
Which wall should the bed go on?
- On the wall opposite the door if you can, so you see the bed as you come in, and not the foot of it.
- Away from a radiator, vent or drafty window, and not below a window if you can avoid it.
- On the wall that lets the bed be centred, with a table at each side.
- On the shorter wall, if the room is long and thin, so the length of the bed runs along the room.
Worked examples
A bedroom of 10.5 × 10 ft
With 30 in at the sides and the foot, a queen fits with 6 in to spare in both directions. A king and a California king only fit with tight clearances.
A bedroom of 9 × 8 ft
A queen is too big. A twin or a full fits with tight clearances, and it works best with one side against the wall.
A queen bed
It is 60 × 80 in. With 30 in at the sides and the foot, you need a room of 120 × 114 in, which is about 10 × 9.5 ft.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the mattress, not the frame. A frame with a footboard adds a lot of length.
- Forgetting the door. A door that hits the bed is a daily irritation.
- Ignoring the other furniture. A dresser or wardrobe takes space that the bed alone does not.
- Choosing the biggest bed that fits. A room that feels like a mattress with walls is not relaxing.
- Not checking the route. A king mattress is hard to get up the stairs or round a corner.
Tips
- Mark the bed on the floor with painter’s tape, and walk around it.
- In a small room, choose a bed with storage underneath, instead of a dresser.
- Use wall-mounted lights or shelves, to save bedside table space.
- A low bed with no footboard makes a small room feel larger.
