What Is Size of Double Bed in cm?

The Measurement in Centimetres

A UK double bed mattress measures 135cm wide by 190cm long. In imperial terms that is 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in, which is why doubles are sometimes still described as four foot six beds by older retailers and in trade listings.

The frame that holds the mattress is always larger. Depending on the design, expect the overall external width to fall between 143cm and 155cm, and the overall length between 198cm and 210cm. Those are the numbers to use when you are working out whether the bed fits, because a mattress does not sit on the floor.

Why 135cm by 190cm Became the UK Standard

British bed sizing developed separately from European and American conventions, which is the source of most of the confusion around double beds. The UK settled on 135cm by 190cm, while the closest continental equivalent is 140cm by 200cm. That 5cm difference in width and 10cm in length is small enough to look interchangeable in a listing and large enough to make bedding fit badly.

This matters when buying online from sellers outside the UK, or when inheriting a bed frame from a property abroad. A continental double mattress will overhang a UK double frame, and UK double bedding on a continental mattress will pull tight at the corners. Always check whether a listing specifies UK sizing.

Where a Double Sits Among UK Bed Sizes

Written out in centimetres, the UK range runs as follows. A small single is 75cm by 190cm. A single is 90cm by 190cm. A small double, also called a three quarter bed, is 120cm by 190cm. A double is 135cm by 190cm. A king is 150cm by 200cm, and a super king is 180cm by 200cm.

Note that everything up to and including the double shares the same 190cm length. Only at king size does the length increase to 200cm. This is why taller adults sometimes find a double frustrating regardless of width, and why the move from double to king solves a problem that a wider double never could.

Planning Floor Space Around a Double

Knowing the mattress size is only half the job. The usable question is how much floor the bed and its access will occupy. As a working rule, allow 60cm of clear walkway on any side you need to use, and 70cm if a wardrobe door opens into that space.

A double placed centrally against a wall with access on both sides therefore wants a room around 270cm wide as a minimum. Pushed against one side wall, a room of 210cm can work, though only one person will be able to get in and out easily. Along the length, allow 200cm for the bed plus at least 60cm at the foot if you need to walk past.

Ceiling height is the forgotten dimension. In loft conversions and dormer bedrooms, the width of the room at mattress height can be considerably less than the width at floor level. Measure at 60cm above the floor, which is roughly where the top of a made bed sits, rather than at skirting level.

Bedding Sizes That Match a Double

A UK double duvet measures 200cm by 200cm. On a 135cm wide mattress that gives a generous drop on each side, which is intentional and helps the duvet stay put. Some couples prefer to size up to a king duvet at 225cm by 220cm on a double bed, which reduces the tug of war without changing the bed itself.

Fitted sheets are sold as double but vary in depth. Standard depth suits mattresses up to around 25cm. Deep fitted sheets handle up to around 35cm, which covers most pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses. Measuring your mattress depth before buying sheets saves a lot of frustration.

Valance sheets and mattress protectors follow the same 135cm by 190cm reference. If you are using a mattress topper as well, add its depth to the mattress depth when choosing sheets.

Matching Furniture to the Dimensions

Once the bed occupies 135cm plus frame, the remaining wall space determines everything else. Bedside cabinets between 35cm and 45cm wide sit comfortably beside a double in most rooms, and taller narrow designs give you drawer space without eating into the walkway. Our modern wooden bedside cabinets UK range includes several slim options that suit tighter layouts.

For clothing storage, work out your remaining wall run before you shop. A two door wardrobe typically needs around 100cm of wall, a three door around 150cm. If the numbers do not work, sliding doors remove the need for clearance in front, which can be the difference between fitting a wardrobe and not. Our modern sliding wardrobes UK sale selection is worth a look in narrow rooms.

A chest of drawers is often the better use of a short wall than a small wardrobe, since drawers use their full depth while a shallow wardrobe wastes it. Compare options across our modern chest of drawers UK sale range with your available width written down before you start.

Small Doubles and When to Consider One

If 135cm will not fit but a single feels inadequate, a small double at 120cm by 190cm bridges the gap. That 15cm saving sounds minor but can be exactly what allows a walkway to work or a bedside table to fit.

Small doubles are common in second bedrooms, box rooms and older terraced properties where room proportions were set long before modern bed sizes existed. Bedding is available in the size, though the range is narrower than for standard doubles, so check availability before committing.

The compromise is per person width. Two adults on a 120cm mattress each have 60cm, which is workable for occasional use and tight for every night. For a guest room it is a sensible choice. For a main bedroom shared full time, most people prefer to find the extra 15cm.

Getting the Bed Into the Room

Assembled dimensions are not delivery dimensions. Almost all double frames arrive flat packed, with the longest carton usually containing the side rails at just over 200cm. That length is what causes problems on tight stair turns and narrow landings.

Mattresses are the harder item. A pocket sprung double cannot be folded, and while many memory foam mattresses arrive vacuum rolled in a manageable box, sprung models arrive full size. Measure the narrowest point of your route and compare it against the mattress width of 135cm and depth.

At Furniture in Fashion we list carton dimensions on our bed products so you can check before ordering, and you can see the full modern beds UK sale range with sizing details for each frame. Free delivery is available to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a UK double bed 135cm or 140cm?

A UK double is 135cm wide. The 140cm figure is the continental European double, which is a different size and takes different bedding.

How long is a double bed in cm?

190cm. The length only increases to 200cm at king size and above in UK sizing.

What is the smallest room a double bed fits in?

With single sided access, a room around 210cm by 260cm can take a double. For access on both sides, aim for at least 270cm of width.

Does double bedding fit a small double?

No. A small double is 120cm by 190cm and needs bedding made for that size, otherwise fitted sheets will be loose and untidy.

How deep is a double mattress?

Depths commonly range from around 18cm for entry level models to 30cm or more for pocket sprung designs. Check the depth before buying fitted sheets.