A UK king size bed is 150cm x 200cm in centimetres. The 150cm figure is the width and the 200cm figure is the length, which converts to 5ft by 6ft 6in. Those are mattress dimensions, and the frame around them is always larger.
Because the UK, Europe and North America all use different systems, the centimetre measurement is the only reliable way to check what you are buying. A bed labelled king in one country will not match a bed labelled king in another.
Written out fully, a UK king mattress is 150cm wide, 200cm long, and typically between 20cm and 30cm deep. Converted to imperial, that is 4ft 11in by 6ft 6.7in, which the trade rounds to 5ft by 6ft 6in.
Depth is the measurement people forget. A pocket sprung king mattress at 28cm needs deep fitted sheets with a skirt of 30cm or more. A standard 25cm skirt will pull off the corners overnight, which is the most common complaint after buying a new mattress.
Per sleeper, 150cm gives two people 75cm each. That is 7.5cm more than a double provides and 15cm less than a super king. It is the size at which most couples find they stop disturbing each other.
All five UK standard sizes in centimetres: single is 90cm x 190cm, small double is 120cm x 190cm, double is 135cm x 190cm, king is 150cm x 200cm and super king is 180cm x 200cm.
The king is the point in the range where the length changes. Sizes below it are 190cm long, while the king and super king are 200cm. So moving from a double to a king gains 15cm of width and 10cm of length, whereas moving from a king to a super king gains 30cm of width and no length at all.
That detail matters when the reason for upgrading is a sleeper’s height. A 200cm mattress suits someone up to around 185cm to 190cm once a pillow is accounted for. Going up to a super king will not add any length, so taller sleepers should look for extra long or continental frames instead.
European sizing works in centimetres but uses different steps. A European king is commonly 160cm x 200cm, which is 10cm wider than a UK king. A European double is often 140cm x 200cm against a UK double at 135cm x 190cm.
American sizes convert less neatly. An American queen is 153cm x 203cm, close to a UK king but not identical. An American king is 193cm x 203cm, wider than a UK super king at 180cm but shorter in relative terms than the width suggests.
Bedding is where these differences bite. A European king fitted sheet cut for 160cm will be loose on a UK king, and a UK king sheet on a European mattress will not reach. Always buy bedding sized to the centimetre measurements of your actual mattress rather than to the word on the label.
This applies to imported furniture too. A frame bought abroad may not accept a UK king mattress even where the names match, which is worth confirming before ordering either component.
The 150cm x 200cm figure describes the mattress cavity. External frame dimensions depend entirely on the design and can vary considerably.
An upholstered frame with padded side rails typically adds 10cm to 20cm of width, giving an external measurement of 160cm to 170cm. A headboard and footboard can add 15cm to 25cm of length, so an external footprint of 165cm x 220cm is common for a king.
Wooden frames with substantial posts sit at the upper end of both ranges. Slim metal frames add the least, sometimes only 5cm in each direction. Divan bases with a floating headboard are the most compact, since the base sits flush with the mattress edge.
Where the bed goes into an alcove or between fitted wardrobes, use the external figure. Our modern king size wooden beds UK sale range lists external dimensions on each product so you can check the fit properly.
Working in centimetres makes room planning easier. Allow 60cm to 75cm of clear walkway on each side you need to access.
For a king with access on both sides, that is 150cm of bed plus two walkways of 65cm, giving a required width of 280cm. Add the frame overhang and 290cm to 300cm is a comfortable target. With one long side against a wall, 215cm to 225cm of width will do.
For depth, a frame at 220cm external plus a 65cm walkway at the foot needs 285cm. Where the foot of the bed faces an open doorway or bay, you can borrow circulation from the adjoining space and reduce that.
Doorway and stair measurements matter for delivery. Measure the narrowest point of your access route in centimetres and compare it against the mattress dimensions. A king mattress at 150cm wide will not turn a tight stair landing, which is why rolled mattresses that arrive compressed are so useful in terraced houses and flats.
King fitted sheets are cut for 150cm x 200cm, with a skirt depth to match your mattress. King duvets are typically 225cm x 220cm, giving a generous overhang on each side of a 150cm mattress.
Pillowcases are the one item not tied to bed size in the UK. Standard pillowcases are 75cm x 50cm regardless of whether the bed is a single or a super king. King size pillowcases at 90cm x 50cm are available and suit the wider bed visually, though they are optional.
Mattress protectors follow fitted sheet sizing, so match both the 150cm x 200cm footprint and the depth.
With a king taking 150cm of wall plus frame overhang, the space left for bedside furniture is usually tight. Cabinets of 35cm to 45cm width fit alongside without narrowing the walkway too much.
Height is the other measurement. The cabinet top should sit level with the finished mattress top, so measure the frame height plus mattress depth before choosing. Our bedside cabinets UK sale range lists heights for every model.
For clothing storage, wardrobe door clearance matters. A hinged door needs up to 60cm of clear floor in front, which is often exactly the walkway you have preserved. Our modern sliding wardrobes UK sale range removes that conflict since the doors run parallel to the frame.
To compare all five UK sizes in centimetres side by side, browse our full modern beds UK sale collection. At Furniture in Fashion you can shop modern furniture for every room, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
What is a king size bed in cm?
A UK king size mattress is 150cm wide and 200cm long, with a depth usually between 20cm and 30cm.
Is a European king the same as a UK king in cm?
No. A European king is commonly 160cm x 200cm, which is 10cm wider than a UK king at 150cm x 200cm.
What size room do I need for a king bed in cm?
Around 290cm to 300cm of width for access on both sides, or 215cm to 225cm with one side against a wall.
What size duvet fits a 150cm x 200cm mattress?
A UK king duvet at 225cm x 220cm is the standard match.
How deep are king size mattresses in cm?
Most range from 20cm to 30cm. Check the depth before buying fitted sheets, as skirts under 30cm will not hold a deep mattress properly.
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