How to Choose the Appropriate Mattress Size

What follows is a list of the most common mattress sizes following a detailed description of each.

Twin Size: 39" x 75"

Twin Long Size: (Twin XL): 39" x 80"

Full Size: 54" x 75"

Full Long Size: (Full XL): 54" x 80"

Three Quarter: 48" x 75"

Queen Size: 60" x 80"

King Size: 76" x 80"

California King Size : 72" x 84"

A Description of Each Common Mattress Size:

Twin Mattress Size: is designed for a single small child or adult. It's commonly used for bunk beds, hi-risers, day beds, or in it's mattress and boxsprings format, for a small guest room. This mattress size would be a good choice for a child, but once they grow out of it, it's going to cost you more to upgrade to a larger mattress size. Contrary to popular belief, pushing two twin mattress sizes together does not make a King size. To accomplish that goal, you would want to look at the next mattress size, the Twin XL.

Twin XL Mattress Size: (extra long): most commonly ordered for dorm rooms, this mattress size gives the extra length for those tall students. Two Twin XL's pushed together form a King mattress size. This is a good choice if your sleeping partner is restless and keeps you tossing and turning. If you order an electric adjustable base (which allows you to sit up or elevate your feet), you'll most likely need a Twin XL mattress size ordered for it. This keeps your feet from dangling over the end of the mattress as you lift up the head portion of the bed to sit up.

Full Mattress Size: (it's nickname is double): adds an extra 15 inches in width when compared to the Twin mattress size. You could fit 2 people in a double, but it's a tight fit. A Full mattress size only gives each sleeping partner 27" (the same width as a crib size).

Full XL Mattress Size: the only difference between the Full and the Full XL mattress size is the length. It adds and extra 80". This is a perfect choice for those people who don't have room for a queen. Just a side note, a Full XL mattress size is usually the same wholesale price as a queen as most manufactures have to stop their machines and retool them to make a Full XL mattress size. So expect to pay the same.

Three Quarter Mattress Size: the most common place to find beds of this size would be at estate auctions or road shows. It's known as the antique bed mattress size. Most of the major manufacturers do not make this mattress size.

Queen Mattress Size: the most popular mattress size, queen size is usually selected for two adults. The queen mattress size adds 6 inches to the width in comparision to the full size and another 5 inches in the length.

King Mattress Size: If you have the space in your room, this is the ideal mattress size. Most likely, your not going to be bumping in to your sleep partner in the night. Although it's the same length, this mattress size adds 16" in width compared to the queen.