Bed sizes UK retailers sell follow one standard but the names can be quite confusing. For example a small double is sometimes called a UK queen. Also a king bed in the UK is much narrower than a king bed in the States. You also have to remember that bed frames are named after the mattress they hold of the actual size of the bed frame. It is very easy to order a bed that does not fit the room you measured.

This guide covers every UK bed and mattress size from small single to super king. I have included the dimensions in centimetres, feet and inches. You will also find how room each bed size needs, how the bed frame size is different, from the mattress size, which bedding fits which bed and how UK bed sizes compare to European and American sizes.

Every one of the UK bed sizes sold in Britain, listed smallest to largest.

Bed Size	Metric (W x L)	Imperial (W x L)
Cot	60 x 120cm	2'0" x 4'0"
Cot Bed / Toddler Bed	70 x 140cm	2'3" x 4'6"
Small Single	75 x 190cm	2'6" x 6'3"
Single	90 x 190cm	3'0" x 6'3"
European Single	90 x 200cm	3'0" x 6'6"
Small Double (Queen / ¾)	120 x 190cm	4'0" x 6'3"
Double	135 x 190cm	4'6" x 6'3"
European Double	140 x 200cm	4'7" x 6'6"
King	150 x 200cm	5'0" x 6'6"
European King	160 x 200cm	5'3" x 6'6"
Super King	180 x 200cm	6'0" x 6'6"
Emperor	200 x 200cm	6'6" x 6'6"
Caesar	240 x 200cm	7'10" x 6'6"

Every measurement above is the mattress size, not the outer size of the bed frame. That difference matters, and we cover it properly further down.

British beds were originally built to imperial measurements and are still described that way in the trade. A "4'6" bed" is a double. A "5'0"" is a king. Retailers now list the metric equivalent alongside, which is why you'll see 135cm and 4'6" used for the same mattress.

The six adult UK bed sizes below make up almost everything sold in Britain. Children's sizes and the oversized specialist beds sit either side of them.

A UK cot bed measures 70 x 140cm (2'3" x 4'6").

A cot bed is designed to last from birth to roughly age four or five. The sides come off once your child outgrows the cot stage, turning it into a low toddler bed without buying anything new.

A standard cot, by contrast, is smaller at 60 x 120cm (2'0" x 4'0") and can't be converted.

Cot vs Cot Bed vs Toddler Bed

These three terms get used interchangeably in shops, which causes no end of confusion.

• Cot — 60 x 120cm, fixed sides, birth to around age two
• Cot bed — 70 x 140cm, removable sides, birth to around age five
• Toddler bed — 70 x 140cm, low to the floor, roughly 18 months to age five

A cot bed and a toddler bed take the same mattress. The difference is the frame, not the size.

A toddler bed measures 70 x 140cm (2'3" x 4'6").

Toddler beds sit low to the ground so a child can climb in unaided, and most come with a side rail. The mattress is thinner than an adult one, usually 10 to 12cm deep, which keeps the overall height down.

Most children move on to a small single or single around age five or six.

A small single mattress measures 75 x 190cm (2'6" x 6'3").

Also called a "2'6" bed", this is the narrowest adult-length size made in Britain. It's 15cm slimmer than a standard single but exactly the same length, so a child won't outgrow it in a hurry.

Who Is a Small Single Bed For?

Small singles suit box rooms, loft conversions and the awkward third bedroom that barely fits a wardrobe. They're a sensible step up from a toddler bed, and they work as an occasional guest bed where a full single would block the door.

The trade-off is choice. Fewer frames and mattresses are made in 2'6", and bedding is harder to find on the high street.

A single mattress measures 90 x 190cm (3'0" x 6'3").

The 3'0" single is the default children's bed in Britain and the standard size for bunk beds, cabin beds and most guest rooms.

Who Is a Single Bed For?

One sleeper of any age. Ninety centimetres gives an adult enough room to turn over comfortably, which is why singles are still common in student halls, spare rooms and B&Bs.

If the sleeper is over about 5ft 11in, look at a European single instead. It's the same width but 10cm longer at 200cm.

A small double mattress measures 120 x 190cm (4'0" x 6'3").

This size sits between a single and a double, and it's one of the most useful options in a typical British house. It's a full 30cm wider than a single, so one adult gets a genuinely roomy bed. Two adults will manage, but it's tight for every night.

Small Double vs Double: What's the Difference?

The length is identical. Both stop at 190cm. The only difference is width:

	Width	Length
Small Double	120cm (4'0")	190cm (6'3")
Double	135cm (4'6")	190cm (6'3")

That's 15cm — about the width of a paperback. It doesn't sound like much, but split between two people it's 7.5cm each, and couples notice it.

Is a Small Double the Same as a UK Queen or Three-Quarter Bed?

Yes. All three names describe the same 120 x 190cm mattress.

• Small double — the term most UK retailers use
• Queen — a British usage that means small double, and has nothing to do with an American queen
• Three-quarter (¾) — an older term, still used by some independents

If a seller advertises a "queen bed" in the UK, check the measurements before you buy. An American queen is 152 x 203cm, considerably bigger.

A double mattress measures 135 x 190cm (4'6" x 6'3").

This is the most widely stocked bed size in Britain and the safe default for couples in an average bedroom. Every frame style, every mattress type and every bedding range is made in 4'6", so you'll never struggle for options.

Is a Double Bed Big Enough for Two Adults?

For most couples in a room that can't take anything larger, yes. But 135cm split two ways gives each sleeper 67.5cm — narrower than a single bed's width per person, and about the same space a baby gets in a cot.

There's a simple test used across the bed trade. Lie side by side on your backs, put your hands behind your heads and stick your elbows out. If your elbows touch, the bed is too narrow for the two of you.

The other issue is length. At 190cm, a double is short for anyone above roughly 5ft 11in. Adding a king or super king gains you 10cm.

A UK king size mattress measures 150 x 200cm (5'0" x 6'6").

A king gains you on both counts: 15cm more width than a double and 10cm more length. It's the size most often recommended for couples who can spare the floor space.

King vs Double: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Per person, a king gives you 75cm of width against a double's 67.5cm. That extra 7.5cm each is the difference between waking every time your partner shifts and sleeping through it.

The length matters just as much. A double leaves anyone near six foot with their feet at the edge. A king's 200cm handles sleepers up to around 6ft 3in comfortably.

The catch is the room. A king needs meaningful clearance on both sides to be usable, and bedding costs a little more.

A super king mattress measures 180 x 200cm (6'0" x 6'6").

The largest of the standard UK bed sizes, and a full 30cm wider than a king. Each sleeper gets 90cm — the same width as a whole single bed.

Super kings suit couples who share with children or pets, anyone who sleeps restlessly, and larger master bedrooms. They also make sense if one partner works shifts, since movement barely transfers across that much surface.

Be realistic about access before ordering. A super king mattress is heavy and, unlike smaller sizes, difficult to bend around a tight staircase.

This is the single most common mistake British bed shoppers make, and it's worth pausing on.

In the UK, a bed frame is named after the mattress it holds — not after its own outer measurements. A "double bed frame" takes a 135 x 190cm mattress. The frame itself will always be bigger than that.

If you measure your bedroom for 135 x 190cm and buy an upholstered double, you may find it doesn't fit.

How Much Bigger Is a Bed Frame Than the Mattress?

It depends entirely on the style. As a rough guide, typical UK frames add:

• Width: 5cm to 25cm on top of the mattress
• Length: 10cm to 30cm on top of the mattress

Always check the external dimensions on the product page rather than assuming. Good retailers publish both figures.

Divan, Ottoman, Bedstead and Four-Poster Footprints

Frame Type	Typical Extra Width	Typical Extra Length	Notes
Divan base	0–2cm	0–2cm	Smallest footprint of any style
Metal bedstead	5–10cm	10–15cm	Slim rails, minimal bulk
Wooden bedstead	8–15cm	15–25cm	Depends on rail and post thickness
Upholstered / fabric	10–20cm	15–25cm	Padding adds up on all four sides
Ottoman	10–20cm	15–25cm	Also needs lift clearance above
Four-poster / sleigh	15–30cm	20–30cm	Curved ends add real length

Divan bases are the space-saving choice for tight rooms. An ottoman needs clear headroom above so the mattress can hinge upward, and a sleigh bed's scrolled foot end eats floor space you might not have accounted for.

Headboard and Bed Base Sizes

Headboards are sized to match the bed, so a 4'6" headboard fits a double. They add 5 to 15cm of depth against the wall, and most sit 100 to 140cm above floor level.

Divan bases come as one solid unit in small single, single and small double, and usually as two linked halves in double and above. Two-part bases are much easier to get upstairs, which is worth remembering in an older property.

A bed that technically fits and a bed you can live around are two different things. Room space is the main thing that decides which of the UK bed sizes will actually work for you. Use these as working minimums.

Bed Size	Suggested Minimum Room
Single (90 x 190cm)	2.1m x 2.5m
Small Double (120 x 190cm)	2.4m x 2.7m
Double (135 x 190cm)	2.6m x 2.8m
King (150 x 200cm)	2.9m x 3.1m
Super King (180 x 200cm)	3.2m x 3.2m

These assume a bed placed against one wall with access on the remaining sides. Push a bed into a corner and you can go smaller, though making it becomes a chore.

Minimum Clearance Around a Bed

Aim for 60cm of walking space at the foot of the bed and along any side you need to reach.

Where a wardrobe or chest of drawers sits opposite, allow 70 to 90cm so the doors and drawers open fully with someone standing in front of them.

A useful trick before you order: mark the frame's external dimensions on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day. You'll know very quickly whether the room can take it.

Will a King Size Fit in a Standard UK Bedroom?

Often, but not always. A typical British double bedroom runs around 3.0m x 3.4m, which takes a king comfortably. A smaller double bedroom of 2.7m x 3.0m will fit a king only if you accept reduced clearance on one side.

Measure the shortest wall first. King frames commonly reach 160 to 170cm across once the frame is included, and you need 60cm beyond that on at least one side.

Best Bed Sizes for Small Bedrooms

For rooms under about 2.6m wide:

• Small double on a divan base — the widest sleeping surface with the smallest footprint
• Ottoman small double — reclaims the storage you lose by having no room for drawers
• Small single — for box rooms and loft conversions under 2.1m wide
• Low or no foot end — saves 10 to 20cm of length instantly

Avoid four-posters, sleigh beds and heavily upholstered frames in a tight room. The style adds bulk you can't afford.

Bed size charts cover width and length. Depth is left out, and it's the reason a lot of fitted sheets don't fit.

UK mattress depths typically run:

• Rolled foam and budget sprung: 16–20cm
• Standard pocket sprung: 22–28cm
• Premium and pillow-top: 30–40cm

Standard UK fitted sheets are cut for a depth of about 25 to 30cm. Anything deeper needs a "deep fitted" sheet, usually sold for 35 to 40cm.

Depth also changes how the bed feels to use. A 35cm mattress on a divan base can put the sleeping surface above 70cm, which is high for children and awkward for anyone with limited mobility.

Duvet sizes don't match bed names, and this catches almost everyone out. A double duvet isn't 135cm wide.

Bed Size	Duvet Size	Fitted Sheet
Small Single (75cm)	Single 135 x 200cm	Small single
Single (90cm)	Single 135 x 200cm	Single
Small Double (120cm)	Double 200 x 200cm	Small double
Double (135cm)	Double 200 x 200cm	Double
King (150cm)	King 225 x 220cm	King
Super King (180cm)	Super King 260 x 220cm	Super king

Two things to plan for. Small double fitted sheets are the hardest of the standard sizes to source, so buy spares when you find a range you like. And if you and your partner disagree on tog rating, a king or super king comfortably takes two single duvets side by side.

European beds are generally longer than British ones and use different widths. If you're buying imported furniture or shopping at IKEA, the sizes won't line up with UK bed sizes.

Size	European	Nearest UK
Single	90 x 200cm	Single (90 x 190cm)
Double	140 x 200cm	Double (135 x 190cm)
King	160 x 200cm	King (150 x 200cm)
Super King	180 x 200cm	Super King (180 x 200cm)

UK Double vs European Double

A European double is 140 x 200cm against the British 135 x 190cm — 5cm wider and 10cm longer.

That gap is small enough to look interchangeable and large enough to cause problems. A UK double mattress in a European frame leaves a gap at the foot that the mattress will slide into. A European mattress in a UK frame simply won't go in.

European Single, Queen and King Explained

The European single at 90 x 200cm matches a UK single for width but adds 10cm of length, which makes it a good option for tall teenagers.

The European king measures 160 x 200cm, 10cm wider than a UK king. Some retailers list this as a "European queen", which adds another layer to the naming muddle.

The rule is simple: if the frame is European, buy a European mattress and European bedding to match.

American sizes share names with British ones but rarely share measurements.

US Size	US Metric	UK Equivalent
Twin	97 x 191cm	Single (90 x 190cm)
Full / Double	137 x 191cm	Double (135 x 190cm)
Queen	152 x 203cm	Between king and super king
King	193 x 203cm	Wider than a super king
California King	183 x 213cm	No UK equivalent

Is a UK King the Same as a US King?

No, and the gap is substantial. A UK king is 150 x 200cm. A US king is 193 x 203cm — 43cm wider.

An American king is actually closer to a British super king, and still 13cm wider than that. Never buy US-sized bedding for a UK bed.

What Is a US Queen in UK Sizes?

A US queen measures 152 x 203cm. That's almost exactly a UK king in width, with 3cm more length.

The one to watch is the word "queen" on its own. In Britain it means a small double at 120 x 190cm. In America it means 152 x 203cm. Same word, two very different beds.

Plenty of beds fit the bedroom perfectly and never make it up the stairs.

A standard internal UK door is 762mm (2'6") wide. Older properties are often narrower, and a turn at the top of a staircase is usually the real obstacle rather than the door itself.

Before ordering, measure:

• Front door and any hallway doors
• Stairwell width and the space at each landing turn
• Ceiling height above the stairs
• Bedroom door frame

Mattresses have some give and can be bent through a tight turn, though pocket sprung and hybrid models flex far less than foam. Rigid divan bases have no give at all.

What Is a Zip and Link Bed?

A zip and link bed is two separate mattresses that zip together to form one larger surface. A super king zip and link, for example, arrives as two 3'0" single units.

They solve the access problem outright, since each half goes upstairs like a normal single mattress. They're also popular with couples who want different firmness on each side, and with guest rooms that need to switch between one large bed and two singles.

The one downside is a slight ridge down the middle. A mattress topper across both halves removes it.

The general rule across the trade: of the UK bed sizes available, buy the largest your room can properly take. Very few people regret extra sleeping space.

Best Bed Size for Couples

A king (150 x 200cm) is the sensible target for two adults sharing every night. Move to a super king (180 x 200cm) if you have the floor space, sleep restlessly, or share with children or pets.

A double works, but treat it as the minimum rather than the standard.

Best Bed Size for Tall Sleepers

Length is the deciding factor. Anything up to and including a double stops at 190cm.

Buy a bed at least 10cm longer than the tallest person using it. In practice, anyone over about 5ft 11in should choose a 200cm length — a king, super king or a European size. Extra-long beds at 215cm are made to order for sleepers above roughly 6ft 5in.

Best Bed Size for Guest Rooms

A small double is the best value in most spare rooms. It's comfortable for one guest, workable for two on occasional nights, and fits rooms a full double would crowd.

Where the room allows, two singles with a zip and link option cover both couples and friends travelling together.

Does a Bigger Bed Cost Much More?

Less than people expect. Stepping up from a double to a king typically adds 10 to 20 per cent to the frame and mattress price.

Spread across the life of the bed — most quality mattresses last seven to ten years — the difference works out at pennies per night. Bedding is the ongoing extra cost, since king and super king linen carries a premium.

Of all the UK bed sizes, the double at 4'6" remains the most widely sold, largely because it fits the most British bedrooms.

That said, the market has shifted. Several UK retailers now report king size overtaking double in their own sales, and consumer group Which? has found that around four in ten of its members own a king-size mattress. Zip and link mattresses have helped, by making larger sizes deliverable to houses that previously couldn't take them.

Britain still buys smaller beds than most of northern Europe, where 160 x 200cm is the everyday standard for couples.

What are the standard UK bed sizes?

There are six standard adult UK bed sizes: small single (75 x 190cm), single (90 x 190cm), small double (120 x 190cm), double (135 x 190cm), king (150 x 200cm) and super king (180 x 200cm).

What size is a small double bed in the UK?

120 x 190cm, or 4'0" x 6'3". It's 15cm narrower than a standard double and the same length.

Is a small double the same as a queen?

In the UK, yes. Queen and three-quarter both mean a 120 x 190cm mattress. An American queen is much larger at 152 x 203cm.

What are UK double bed dimensions?

135cm wide by 190cm long, or 4'6" x 6'3".

Is a UK king bigger than a double?

Yes. A king is 15cm wider and 10cm longer, at 150 x 200cm against 135 x 190cm.

Do bed frames measure the same as the mattress?

No. UK bed frames are named after the mattress they hold, but the frame's external dimensions are larger — typically 5 to 25cm wider and 10 to 30cm longer, depending on the style.

Are UK and European bed sizes the same?

No. European beds are usually 200cm long against the UK's 190cm for smaller sizes, and the widths differ too. A European double is 140 x 200cm compared with the UK's 135 x 190cm.

What size duvet fits a small double bed?

A standard double duvet, 200 x 200cm. There's no separate small double duvet size.

How much space do I need around a bed?

Allow 60cm for walking space at the foot and sides, and 70 to 90cm where wardrobe doors or drawers need to open.

Which bed size is best for a small bedroom?

A small double on a divan or ottoman base gives you the most sleeping width for the least floor space. For rooms under 2.1m wide, a small single is the practical choice.