Buying a next day delivery mattress should be easy. You lie down, fall asleep, wake up rested. Done.
Except it’s not.
You look at a list of sizes and suddenly it’s a maths exam you didn’t study for. Small single, long single, Euro king—what does any of it mean? Are your feet going to hang off the end? Is the frame you bought last year suddenly useless?
And don’t get me started on the people who buy a new mattress without measuring the room first. You haven’t lived until you’ve watched someone try to wrestle a super king up a staircase designed for hobbits.
So here it is. A straight-talking guide to mattress sizes in the UK. No nonsense. No buzzwords. Just the numbers—and what they mean for your bed, your room, and your sanity.
Small Single – 75 x 190 cm
This is the one you buy for children, bunk beds, or very small adults with very little room.
It fits where nothing else does. You can move it on your own. You can flip it without getting a hernia. But don’t expect to spread out.
Best for:
– Kids’ rooms
– Box rooms
– Grown-ups who don’t mind sleeping like they’re in a drawer
Single – 90 x 190 cm
This is what most people had as kids and still regret once they hit their twenties.
It’s fine if you’re alone. Fine if you don’t move much. Fine if you’ve accepted that comfort takes up too much space.
But if you’re over six feet tall or like to spread out like a starfish, you’ll be pushing it.
Best for:
– Teenagers
– Solo sleepers in tight spaces
– Spare rooms you don’t want guests to get too comfortable in
Small Double – 120 x 190 cm
Also called a “three-quarter” or “four-foot” bed. Which is confusing, because it’s neither three-quarters of anything nor four feet wide.
It’s bigger than a single. Not quite a double. Just enough room for one person to sprawl or two people to argue politely about elbow space.
Best for:
– Small flats
– Couples who like to cuddle (or have no choice)
– One person and a cat with boundary issues
Double – 135 x 190 cm
This is the size that most people still call a “normal” bed.
It isn’t, really. It’s just the size that fits most rooms without pushing the wardrobe out the window.
It works for couples, but don’t expect luxury. If one of you fidgets, snores, or flails, the other will know about it. Immediately.
Best for:
– Guest rooms
– Couples on a budget
– People who don’t mind touching toes by accident
King – 150 x 200 cm
This is where life starts to improve.
Extra width. Extra length. Enough space to roll over without launching someone else off the edge.
If you’ve ever slept in a king and gone back to a double, you’ll know it feels like sharing a canoe.
Best for:
– Couples with pets or small children who sneak into bed
– Tall people
– Anyone who enjoys breathing room
Super King – 180 x 200 cm
Now we’re talking.
You could fit three people in this and still have space for regrets. If your room can handle it and your partner snores like a freight train, this might save your relationship.
Just don’t forget to measure the doors, or you’ll be sleeping in the hallway.
Best for:
– Big bedrooms
– People with money, space, and sleep-deprived rage
– Anyone who hates feeling the mattress move when someone else turns over
What About European Sizes?
Of course, IKEA had to get involved.
Their sizes are slightly different. Longer. Sometimes wider. If you buy a European mattress by mistake, your fitted sheets won’t fit. Your frame might not match. And your life will become mildly irritating in a way you can’t quite explain.
Quick tip:
– Euro Double: 140 x 200 cm
– Euro King: 160 x 200 cm
Just make sure you’re buying UK or European size on purpose, not by accident.
Things People Forget to Check
- Room Size
That super king looks great online. Until you realise you can’t open the wardrobe without standing on the bed. - Bed Frame Fit
Some mattresses fit on the frame. Others in it. Measure carefully or you’ll end up with a mattress that overhangs like a badly made sandwich. - Bedding Sizes
Duvets, sheets and mattress protectors all come in matching sizes. Don’t mix them unless you enjoy daily fights with corners.
Don’t Buy The Wrong One
Mattress size doesn’t seem important—until you’ve bought the wrong one.
Too small, and you sleep like you’re in a suitcase. Too big, and your room feels like a mattress showroom.
Pick what suits your body, your room, and your sleep style. Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Measure it. Twice.
And if you need help, we’ll answer your questions without making you feel like you’ve walked into a shop full of jargon and sales talk.
Just beds. That fit. That work. That let you sleep properly—without waking up with one foot hanging off the end.
