A king bed is bigger than a queen bed. In the American sizing system a king measures 193cm by 203cm while a queen measures 152cm by 203cm, making the king 41cm wider at the same length. In UK sizing, a king measures 150cm by 200cm and there is no standard queen at all, so the nearest British equivalent to an American queen is in fact the UK king.
That overlap is the source of most confusion around this question. The word king means two quite different widths depending on which side of the Atlantic the listing comes from, and getting it wrong affects the frame, the mattress and every sheet you buy.
American sizing runs twin 99cm by 191cm, full 137cm by 191cm, queen 152cm by 203cm, king 193cm by 203cm, and California king 183cm by 213cm.
UK sizing runs single 90cm by 190cm, small double 120cm by 190cm, double 135cm by 190cm, king 150cm by 200cm, and super king 180cm by 200cm.
Matching them up: an American queen at 152cm is closest to a UK king at 150cm. An American king at 193cm is wider than a UK super king at 180cm, and sits between super king and the specialist emperor sizes. There is no UK size that matches an American king exactly.
If you are buying in the UK, ignore the queen label. Work in UK sizes, compare double, king and super king, and buy bedding to the same terminology.
If you have moved from North America or bought a frame abroad, measure the mattress before ordering anything. A 152cm queen mattress will sit in a 150cm UK king frame with a 2cm discrepancy that shows at the edges, and a UK king mattress in a queen frame leaves a small gap. Neither is catastrophic but both are irritating.
Bedding is where the mismatch bites hardest. UK king fitted sheets are cut for 150cm and will be tight on a 152cm queen mattress, particularly a deep one. Order to the mattress you own rather than the frame’s name.
Our modern king size beds UK sale range lists both mattress size and external frame dimensions, which makes cross checking against an existing mattress straightforward.
The practical question behind the sizing is how much room each sleeper has.
On a UK double at 135cm, each person has 67.5cm. On a UK king at 150cm, that rises to 75cm. On a UK super king at 180cm, each person gets 90cm, matching a single mattress each. An American king at 193cm gives 96.5cm each, which is the most generous of the standard sizes.
The jump from double to king, at 7.5cm each, is more noticeable than the number suggests, particularly on a mattress with good motion isolation. The jump from king to super king at a further 15cm each is the point most couples describe as transformative.
Width dominates the conversation but length is often the more useful gain. UK single, small double and double sizes are all 190cm long. King and super king are 200cm.
A 190cm mattress suits sleepers up to roughly 185cm tall. Beyond that, feet reach the end and any footboard becomes a nuisance. Moving to a 200cm king solves this even if the extra width is not needed.
American sizes are longer across the board at 191cm to 203cm, and California king at 213cm is specifically designed for very tall sleepers, trading width for length compared with a standard American king.
Allowing 60cm of clear floor on each side and at the foot, a UK king needs a room of around 3m by 3.4m. A super king needs closer to 3.4m by 3.8m. An American king, if you have one, needs more again.
Frames add to this. Upholstered designs with padded rails and wing headboards can add 15cm to 20cm on each dimension. Divan bases stay closest to mattress size.
Before committing to any larger size, check the delivery route. The narrowest point is usually a turn on the staircase or a landing doorway, and the headboard is normally the component that fails to make it. Split divan bases and flat packed frames with detachable headboards handle difficult access far better than solid one piece designs.
Assuming UK sizing, the real decision for most people is king or super king rather than king or queen.
Choose a king if your bedroom is between 3m and 3.4m wide, if you want floor space for a wardrobe wall and a chair, or if the staircase is tight. It is the size that fits the largest number of British main bedrooms without compromise.
Choose a super king if the room exceeds 3.4m wide, if partner disturbance is a persistent problem, or if children and pets regularly share the bed. Our modern super king size beds UK sale range covers fabric, wooden and high gloss frames in the 180cm width.
Whichever you choose, mattress support matters more at larger sizes. Check the base has a centre rail with additional legs, since inadequate central support is the main cause of premature sagging in wide mattresses. Our modern mattresses UK sale range includes king and super king options built with edge to edge support.
A wider bed changes the proportions of everything else. Bedside cabinets that suited a double look small against a 150cm or 180cm headboard, and taller or wider units generally sit better. Matching pairs are worth the effort, because asymmetry is more visible as the bed grows.
Wardrobe access becomes the main planning constraint, since the bed occupies the floor that a hinged door needs. Sliding designs frequently resolve it, and our modern sliding wardrobes UK range includes wide units suited to larger bedrooms.
Rug scale needs adjusting too. Under a king or super king, a rug should extend 60cm to 80cm beyond the bed on three sides, or be replaced by two runners along each side. A rug that stops at the mattress edge undermines the whole arrangement.
You can compare double, king and super king frames with full dimensions listed at Furniture in Fashion, which makes the size decision easier than working from names alone.
Yes. In American sizing a king is 193cm wide against a queen at 152cm, both 203cm long. In UK sizing there is no standard queen, and a UK king at 150cm is the closest equivalent to an American queen.
A UK king size at 150cm by 200cm is the nearest match to an American queen at 152cm by 203cm. Buy bedding to UK king sizing if that is the mattress you own.
No. A UK king is 150cm wide while an American king is 193cm. An American king is actually wider than a UK super king at 180cm, so there is no exact UK equivalent.
A UK king is 15cm wider than a double and 10cm longer, giving each of two sleepers an extra 7.5cm of width plus useful additional legroom.
King suits bedrooms between 3m and 3.4m wide and leaves room for wardrobes and seating. Super king suits rooms over 3.4m wide and is worth it where partner disturbance or shared sleeping with children and pets is an issue.
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