Understanding mattress sizes and choosing the right one

Finding the right bed is a crucial step in setting up your bedroom. Wake up in comfort with the correct mattress size for you.

A twin size mattress measures 39 inches wide by 75 inches long.

• It is usually an acceptable size for a child or teenager. Most people bypass purchasing a small toddler bed when their child outgrows their crib, and they opt to purchase a twin instead because of the added size.
• Adults often feel cramped sleeping on a twin mattress because they cannot sprawl out.
• There is a twin size mattress known as the Twin XL, but it's often hard to find. The Twin XL measures 80 inches in length.

Many people mistakenly believe that a full size mattress, also known as a double, is large enough for two people to comfortably sleep.

• A full size mattress only measures  53 inches in width. That gives the sleeper only 15 more inches than a twin mattress. The added size is nice for a single person to stretch out across, but a full size mattress becomes very cramped with two people.
• A full size is also only 75 inches long, so if the adult is tall, the person's feet may dangle over the edge.

Measuring 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, the queen size is the most popular bed for two people to sleep side by side.

• Even though many people report being happy with their queen size, large people should remember that each person only has 30 inches of individual sleeping space, so if you want to sprawl, or you are a bed hog, you might want to go with a bigger size bed.
• Queen mattresses are often ideal for guest rooms because the room's smaller size accommodates a queen well.

A king size mattress measures 76 inches in width by 80 inches in length. It gives you the most width of any mattress.

• Its size is comparable to sliding together two twin beds, which was once a common practice in the 1950's.
• The box springs of a king size mattress are usually two pieces.
• A king size mattress's sheer size and weight makes it difficult to move easily. You should also make sure that your bedroom can accommodate its great bulk.

The California king mattress is not wider than a king, but it is longer.

• It measures only 72 inches in width compared to the king's 76 inches, but it is 84 inches in length.
• The added length of the California king mattress makes it a favorite for very tall people.