What Size Is a King Size Bed in Feet?

The Measurement You Need

A UK king size bed measures 5ft wide by 6ft 6in long. In metric that is 150cm by 200cm. Those figures describe the mattress, not the frame, which is an important distinction when planning a room.

For quick comparison, a UK double is 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in, and a UK super king is 6ft by 6ft 6in. So a king gains 6in of width and 3in of length over a double, and gives up 12in of width to a super king while matching its length.

UK Bed Sizes in Feet and Inches

Working in feet is often easier when visualising a room, since most people picture floor space that way. A single is 3ft by 6ft 3in. A small double is 4ft by 6ft 3in. A standard double is 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in. A king is 5ft by 6ft 6in. A super king is 6ft by 6ft 6in.

Two patterns are worth noting. The first is that length increases only once, at the step from double to king, where 6ft 3in becomes 6ft 6in. Everything from king upwards shares that longer length. The second is that width climbs in roughly 6in increments across the range, which makes the differences easier to judge than the centimetre figures suggest.

Bear in mind that these are UK standards. An American king is significantly wider at around 6ft 4in, and closer in width to a UK super king. Bedding is not interchangeable, so if you have inherited or imported linen, check the actual dimensions rather than trusting the label.

Frame Size Versus Mattress Size

A king mattress is 5ft by 6ft 6in, but the bed itself will be larger. A slim wooden or metal frame may add only a couple of inches on each side. A deeply upholstered frame with a padded surround can add 6in or more per side, which turns a 5ft bed into something approaching 6ft of floor width.

Headboard depth adds to the length at the top, and a footboard adds at the bottom. Ottoman bases match the mattress footprint closely but need clearance above and to one side or the foot for the lid to open. TV beds need clearance for the screen to rise.

Always check the external frame dimensions on the product listing. Our modern king size leather beds UK sale range includes both slim profile and deeper upholstered designs, and the difference in overall footprint between the two can be several inches on every side.

How Much Floor Space a King Needs

Start with the frame footprint rather than the mattress. Then allow at least 2ft of clear floor on each side you need to walk down. Where a wardrobe or chest of drawers opens into that space, allow closer to 2ft 4in so the door or drawer clears comfortably.

In practice, a king with proper access on both sides suits rooms from roughly 10ft by 11ft upwards. Rooms of around 9ft by 10ft can take a king if one side sits against a wall, though that limits access for making the bed and changing bedding.

Ceiling height rarely matters for the bed itself but does affect headboard choice. A tall upholstered headboard in a room with a low ceiling can feel heavy. In older properties, check the headboard against picture rails and window sills before ordering.

Do not overlook the delivery route. Measure the narrowest doorway, the stair width and any tight landing turn. A 5ft mattress is a substantial item to manoeuvre, though rolled and vacuum packed mattresses make this far easier than it once was.

Choosing a King Size Frame

Material sets the character of the room more than any other decision. Wooden frames bring warmth and tend to have a lighter visual footprint, which suits rooms where the bed already fills much of the floor. The king size wooden beds UK range covers oak, walnut and painted finishes that work with existing timber flooring or wardrobes.

Upholstered frames soften the room and are comfortable to lean against for reading. Fabric absorbs sound slightly, which is a small but noticeable benefit in rooms with hard flooring. Faux leather wipes clean easily and gives a crisper, more defined edge.

Storage designs deserve serious consideration in UK homes, where cupboard space is often short. An ottoman lift up base turns the entire 5ft by 6ft 6in footprint into usable storage for bedding and off season clothing. Drawer bases offer easier access to frequently used items but less total volume.

Whichever you choose, check the base construction. A king mattress needs a centre rail with at least one supporting leg, or closely spaced slats with mid support. Without it, the mattress will sag through the middle over time and the guarantee may be affected.

Bedding for a King Size Bed

A king duvet is typically 225cm by 220cm, which is 7ft 5in by 7ft 3in. Note that it is wider than it is long in some cases, so check the orientation when putting on a cover. Using a double duvet on a king bed leaves the sides short and leads to one person losing the covers overnight.

Fitted sheets need to match the mattress depth as well as the size. A deep pocket sprung or hybrid mattress can be 12in or more, and a standard depth sheet will keep pulling off the corners. Deep fitted sheets solve this for a modest extra cost.

For pillows, two standard pillows leave a gap across a 5ft width. Two king size pillows fill the space properly, or three standard pillows arranged across the head. This is a small styling detail that makes the bed look properly finished.

Making a King Work in an Average UK Bedroom

Many British master bedrooms are tighter than people expect, so a few adjustments help a king sit comfortably. Choose a frame with a slim surround rather than a deep padded one to reclaim inches on each side. Skip the footboard, which frees up length and makes the room feel more open.

Replace bedside tables with wall mounted shelves or slim depth cabinets where floor space is short. Wall lights instead of table lamps clear the surfaces and reduce visual clutter. Our modern wooden bedside cabinets UK sale includes narrow designs intended for exactly this situation.

Keep the palette calm so the bed does not dominate. Soft whites, warm greys and muted earth tones let a large piece of furniture recede visually. Layered textures in the bedding add interest without adding busyness.

Storage should go upwards rather than outwards. A tall narrow chest holds as much as a wide low one while taking less floor. Coordinating finishes across the bed and storage helps too, and browsing bedroom furniture UK sale alongside the bed makes that easier than choosing pieces separately. At Furniture in Fashion we list frame and mattress measurements on every bed so a room can be checked properly before ordering, and free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes applies.

King or Super King

If the room takes a king with genuine walkways and a little space to spare, and two adults share it nightly, it is worth checking whether a super king also fits. The extra 12in of width gives each person the equivalent of a single bed, and the improvement in undisturbed sleep is often immediate.

If the king only just fits, stay with the king. A bed that leaves the room functional is a better outcome than a larger one that blocks a wardrobe or forces a sideways shuffle past the foot. Mark both footprints on the floor with masking tape and see which one you stop noticing.