What Are the Measurements of Bed Sizes?

UK bed sizes run from small single at 75cm by 190cm up to emperor at around 200cm by 200cm. The full standard range is: small single 75cm by 190cm, single 90cm by 190cm, small double 120cm by 190cm, double 135cm by 190cm, king 150cm by 200cm, super king 180cm by 200cm, and emperor approximately 200cm by 200cm.

Note that length only changes once across the whole range, from 190cm at double and below to 200cm at king and above. That single fact explains many buying decisions, particularly for taller sleepers. Below is the complete picture including bedding sizes, frame allowances and the room dimensions each size needs.

The Complete UK Size Table in Words

Small single measures 75cm by 190cm, or 2ft 6in by 6ft 3in, and suits box rooms and cabin beds. Single measures 90cm by 190cm, or 3ft by 6ft 3in, and is the standard children’s and guest size. Small double measures 120cm by 190cm, or 4ft by 6ft 3in, sometimes called a three quarter bed.

Double measures 135cm by 190cm, or 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in. King measures 150cm by 200cm, or 5ft by 6ft 6in. Super king measures 180cm by 200cm, or 6ft by 6ft 6in. Emperor measures around 200cm by 200cm, sometimes listed at 200cm by 220cm depending on the manufacturer.

Width Per Sleeper

Dividing width by the number of sleepers gives a clearer sense of comfort than the total. A double gives two people 67.5cm each, less than a single bed. A king gives 75cm each, exactly a single bed’s width. A super king gives 90cm each. An emperor gives 100cm each.

That progression is why the double to king step feels significant and the king to super king step feels transformative. It is also why couples in a double who report disturbed sleep are often responding to genuine physical constraint rather than mattress quality alone.

Bedding Sizes for Each Bed

Single duvets are commonly 135cm by 200cm. Double duvets are 200cm by 200cm. King duvets are 225cm by 220cm. Super king duvets are 260cm by 220cm. Emperor bedding is a specialist size and less widely stocked, which is worth knowing before choosing that size.

Fitted sheets must match both the mattress footprint and its depth. Mattress depths range from around 18cm on a basic model to over 30cm on a pillow top, and a topper can add another 5cm to 8cm. A sheet cut too shallow will pull off the corners overnight. Our modern mattresses UK sale listings state depth for each model.

Frame Allowances by Size

Every frame is larger than its mattress, and the allowance grows with the style rather than the size. Slim wooden and metal frames add roughly 4cm to 6cm per side. Mid range upholstered frames add 6cm to 10cm per side. Deeply padded frames with wide surrounds can add 12cm to 15cm per side.

Applied to the range, that means a single can occupy 98cm to 120cm externally, a double 143cm to 165cm, a king 158cm to 180cm, and a super king 188cm to 210cm. Planning from the mattress figure alone is the most common cause of a bed that does not fit as expected. Our modern beds UK sale listings give external dimensions for each frame.

Room Sizes Needed for Each Bed

Allowing a 60cm walkway on each accessible side, the room requirements work out as follows. A single against a wall needs around 170cm by 250cm. A double with walkways on both sides needs around 270cm by 265cm. A king needs around 285cm by 275cm. A super king needs around 315cm by 280cm. An emperor needs around 335cm by 280cm.

Those figures cover the bed and its access only. Add depth for wardrobe doors, drawer fronts and any bench at the foot. A wardrobe with hinged doors needs its full swing clear, while sliding doors need none, which changes what fits in a tight room. Our modern wardrobes UK sale range includes both types.

UK Sizes Against US and European Equivalents

Names do not translate. A UK single at 90cm by 190cm is close to a US twin at 97cm by 191cm. A UK double at 135cm by 190cm is near a US full at 137cm by 191cm. A UK king at 150cm by 200cm sits between a US queen and a US king. A UK super king at 180cm by 200cm is closest to a US king at 193cm by 203cm.

European sizes are usually quoted in centimetres directly, often 140cm, 160cm or 180cm wide by 200cm long. The 160cm European width has no UK equivalent, sitting between king and super king, which makes sourcing bedding for an imported frame awkward. Always buy by measurement.

Choosing Between Adjacent Sizes

When two sizes both fit, the deciding factors are usually height and storage. If any sleeper is over about 5ft 10in, choose from king upward for the 200cm length. If wardrobe space is limited, choosing the smaller bed and gaining a full width wardrobe often improves daily life more than 15cm of extra mattress.

For children’s rooms, a single at 90cm by 190cm lasts into adulthood, so there is rarely a reason to buy a small single unless the room genuinely cannot take one. Our single wooden beds UK sale range covers the standard 90cm width in styles that suit older children as well as younger ones.

Measuring Your Room Properly

Measure the clear run of wall rather than the overall room width, since chimney breasts, bays and radiators reduce usable space. Note the door swing, the position of any window that needs to open, and the height of skirting boards, which can hold a bed a centimetre or two off the wall.

Then mark the external frame footprint on the floor with tape and leave it in place. Walking the room for a day or two reveals problems that no measurement predicts, particularly around door swings and the route from bed to door at night. You can compare every size and shop modern furniture UK at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are all the UK bed sizes in centimetres?
Small single 75cm by 190cm, single 90cm by 190cm, small double 120cm by 190cm, double 135cm by 190cm, king 150cm by 200cm, super king 180cm by 200cm, and emperor around 200cm by 200cm.

Why do only larger beds get longer?
UK mattress length is 190cm up to double size and 200cm from king upward. It is a convention of the range rather than a rule, but it means a taller sleeper needs to reach king size for the extra length.

How much width does each sleeper get?
On a double, 67.5cm each. On a king, 75cm each. On a super king, 90cm each. On an emperor, 100cm each. A single mattress is 90cm for comparison.

Do UK and US bed sizes match?
No. A UK super king is closest to a US king, and a UK king sits between a US queen and king. Buy bedding by centimetre measurement rather than by size name.

How much space should I allow around any bed?
Aim for 60cm of walkway on each side you use and at the foot, with 45cm as a tight minimum. Add extra depth wherever drawers or hinged wardrobe doors open into that space.