Looking For a New Bed? Bed Dimensions Explained

With increasing interest in health and better sleep, among both millennials and baby boomers, more people are upgrading their mattresses. Usually that means a king size. In keeping with this trend, the mattress industry has moved to provide more options. Here’s an overview of what’s currently out there, starting with King and working on down to Twin.

KING SIZE, a plethora of choices

King size is the most popular choice for master bedrooms. This category has the most options, from sizes to special configurations or shapes. You’ll find king mattresses that are a little longer, ones that are built to allow separate movement on a power base and ones that are somewhere in the middles.

STANDARD KING, 76”W x 80”L

Pros: A king mattress provides an extra 16” of width (or 8” per person) more than a queen, for a more comfortable and less-crowded sleeping experience, particularly if you put the extra width between you. It is essentially the same size as two twin mattresses. Also great option if you have pets or children who like to climb in bed with you. Cons: Heavier and requires more room than queen size beds.

CALIFORNIA KING, 72”W X 84”L

Pros: At 84” long, California King mattresses are perfect for taller persons or anybody who wants more length in their mattress. It gives each sleeper 6” more sleeping width than a queen size bed. California King mattress size is nice for use with an adjustable base, because it provides extra length even with the head and foot elevated. If you’re taller or have a pet who likes to sleep at the foot of the bed, California King is a good choice. Cons: Takes up more space than a queen size, less width than a Standard King.

SPLIT TOP KING, 76”W X 80”L

Also referred to as a Split Head King and a DreamTop™ King, this is a newer entry into the market. Pros: It is built for use with a power adjustable base, with a split in the head section of the mattress about a third of the way down. This allows separate movement of head portion of the bed, which is the section that has the largest range of movement. The idea is to give an option to couples who like to cuddle while sleeping without the seam of a Split mattress. The foot of the bed, which rises less than the head, can still be operated separately, but is one piece. Cons: This bed requires special sheets, which can be harder to find, but are sold by some manufacturers who offer this mattress size, including Reverie.

SPLIT TOP CALIFORNIA KING, 72”W X 84”L

Also referred to as a DreamTop™ California Split King. Same as Split Top King above, except for the size, which is 4” longer and 4” less wide. Great for taller couples who like to cuddle while sleeping but who want the comfort options that a power base provides. Also good for couples whose pet sleeps at the foot of the bed.

SPLIT KING, 38”W X 80”L

(Two mattresses used side by side, for a total size of 76”W x 80”L)

An innovative newer option, Split King beds are made for use with power adjustable bases. Pros: They are great for couples who have different preferences for firmness in a mattress. They’re good for couples with different sleep preferences or schedules, allowing each partner to sleep in a different position, or one partner to read elevated while the other sleeps flat. They’re also nice for people who have different body temperatures; for instance, the partner who sleeps hot can opt for natural latex and the partner who sleeps cold might like a memory foam option. With a split king, you each get your own fitted sheet and can either sleep with one big flat sheet, or get your own completely different twin sheet sets and blankets, if one of you is known to steal the covers. If the power base has a massage function, each partner can use that separately, too, without disturbing the other. Cons: People who like to cuddle while sleeping sometimes find the seam down the middle bothersome.

SPLIT CALIFORNIA KING, 36”W X 84”L

(Two mattresses used side by side, for a total size of 72”W x 84”L)

 Pros: A Split California King mattress gives ample space and length to each sleeper. When paired with adjustable bases, Split California King beds offer more comfort choices for couples who have different preferences in mattress firmness, sleeping positions or who keep different sleep schedules (see Split King description above). If the power base has a massage function, each partner can use that separately, too, without disturbing the other. Cons: People who like to cuddle while sleeping sometimes find the seam down the middle bothersome.

QUEEN, 60”W X 80”L

Pros: Queen mattresses are nice for couples with moderately sized bedrooms, bigger guest rooms, or couples who just like to sleep close together. Allows significantly more space than a full size mattress, with an extra 6” of width and 6” of length. This is also a good option for taller single sleepers who like to more space while sleeping. Cons: For couples with a bigger sleep footprint, queen size mattresses can feel cramped. A King mattress would give them an extra 12-18” of space.

SPLIT TOP QUEEN, 60”W X 80”L

Also referred to as a Split Head Queen and a DreamTop™ Queen, this mattress is built for couples with moderately sized bedrooms who want to maximize the comfort of their adjustable power base. Pros: Each partner can enjoy separate movement on his or her sides of the bed, sleeping or watching tv in different positions or perhaps using the bed massage function (or not). The top section of the mattress is split about a third of the way down, allowing separate movement of the head portion of the bed (which is the section that with the largest range of movement). The foot of the bed, which rises less than the head, can still be operated separately, but is one piece. Couples can sleep and cuddle in the middle comfortably. Cons: This bed requires special sheets, which can be harder to find, but are sold by some manufacturers who offer this mattress size, including Reverie.

SPLIT QUEEN, 30”W X 80”L

(Two mattresses used side by side, for a total size of 60”W x 80”L)

An option that is still available but starting to fall out of fashion. Split Queen beds are made for use with power adjustable bases. Pros: They allow individual movement of the bed for both partners, accommodating couples who have different preferences in a mattress in terms of firmness, sleeping position, body temperature or schedules. Cons: Splitting a smaller mattress all the way down the middle means having your separate territory can feel cramped at a width of only 30”. People who like to cuddle while sleeping sometimes find the seam down the middle bothersome. Sheets can be hard to find.

FULL, 54”W X 74”L

Full mattresses are great for tiny studio apartments, small guest rooms, single sleepers or children who need more space. Provide extra 16” of width over a twin and allows one sleeper to spread out comfortably as long as they aren’t too tall. Also, if you have a vintage bed, most of them are full size; people used to be smaller decades ago. Cons: At only 27” per person, full mattresses are a tight fit for two and they can be too short for some. There are no split power bases available for this size.

STANDARD TWIN, 38”W X 74”L

The smallest size mattress out there that can still fit an adult. Pros: Twin mattresses are the longtime standard size for kids, teenagers, bunk beds, trundle beds and daybeds. They are economical and fit most standard bed frames. Cons: It’s not a ton of room and most people outgrow them by the time they are adults. Obviously this mattress is only meant for one person.

TWIN XL, 38”W X 80”L

Twin Extra Long mattresses are great for teens’ bedrooms, college dorm rooms and small apartments. They don’t take much space, yet are suitable for young adults and guests that are too tall for regular twin beds. Cons: Even though they add 6” of length over a Standard Twin, they are the same width as a regular twin size mattress and still feel cramped for many adults. 

Which is right for you?

Every person and every couple is different, so this advice is not absolute. Due to space considerations, we didn’t complicate things by talking about how, with Reverie, you can also get different firmness on each side of the mattress, even if they’re not split. Should you like to learn more about that, give us a call at 888-888-5990. We hope this detailed information has been helpful. Sleep well!