Whether it’s an upgrade for yourself, a new bed for a young child who’s outgrown their cot or a mattress and base for the guest bedroom, there are times in life when it really helps to know all about UK bed sizes!
A Brief Guide to UK Bed Sizes
Whether it’s an upgrade for yourself, a new bed for a young child who’s outgrown their cot or a mattress and base for the guest bedroom, there are times in life when it really helps to know all about UK bed sizes!
The measurements of a bed can be key, especially when you’re dealing with limited space. Which, let’s face it, most of us are. So before you head out to bounce on a few beds in the stores at the nearest retail park, forewarned is forearmed.
Knowing what sort of bed you’re seeking before setting out will mean spending less time in the shop. Maybe even less money. It also means you can make the most of every centimetre (or inch) of available space within your home.
To help you decide which bed to buy next, here is a brief and no-nonsense guide to bed sizes in the UK.
Do note that we’ve not included cots or toddler beds here, as sizes do vary. But the measurements and pros and cons of everything from a small single to a Super King can be found right here!
See our post about the top pillow types to really up grade your sleeping experience.
Top 6 UK bed sizes
1. Super King
Best for couples craving more space
- 180cm wide x 200cm long
- 6 feet wide x 6 feet & 6 inches long
The Super King bed size in the UK is 6 feet, or 180cm, wide. This is equivalent to two single beds in width, because one single bed is 90cm (or 3 feet) wide. At 6 feet and 6 inches - or 200cm - it’s longer than most beds. As compared to a standard double or single, you get an extra 3 inches of space (or 10 centimetres) of space with a Super King bed.
Pros:
- Extra wide with more room for 2
- Extra long for taller people
Cons:
- Takes up an extra foot or more in space
- Bedlinen is not quite as easy to find as with a King
2. King
Best for a couple or taller people
- 150cm wide x 200cm long
- 5 feet wide x 6 feet & 6 inches long
A King size bed is a popular choice. It gives you more space than a standard double, yet takes up far less room than a Super King. King size bed dimensions are 5 feet (or 150cm) wide by 6 feet and 6 inches (200cm) long. So this bed is just as long as a Super King, but is a foot narrower.
Pros:
- Wider than a regular double
- Just as long as a Super King
- Bedding is easy to buy
- Takes up less space
Cons:
- Takes up more room than a double
- Not as wide as a Super King or 2 single beds
3. Double
Best for 1 or 2 people and smaller rooms
- 135cm wide x 190cm long
- 4 feet & 6 inches wide x 6 feet & 3 inches long
The standard double bed size in the UK is the 4 foot 6 inch double bed. This - or 135cm - is the width. It’s 3 inches, or 10 centimetres, shorter than a King or Super King. It’s a good choice for those who sleep along and want more space, or couples sharing a small bedroom.
Pros:
- Popular among single people and couples
- More compact than a Super King or King
- Lots of bedlinen to choose from
- Good for small rooms
Cons:
- Not as long for taller people
- Can feel cramped as compared to a King bed
4. Small Double
Best for 1 or 2 people and the smallest double rooms
- 120cm wide x 190cm long
- 4 feet wide x 6 feet & 3 inches long
Lose 6 inches from a standard double and you have a small double bed. The small double bed size in the UK is ideal for a couple of kids or adults, or a solo sleeper. It’s used mainly when space is at a premium, and gives you a foot of extra sleeping space as compared to a single.
The small double bed dimensions are 4 feet or 120cm wide by 6 foot 3 or 190cm long. Bed linen in this size can be harder to come by, but it isn’t too difficult to find. Many people use a standard double duvet and cover, and just buy a couple of small double sheets.
Pros:
- Popular among single people and couples
- More compact than a Super King or King
- Lots of bedlinen to choose from
- Ideal for the smallest rooms
Cons:
- Limited choice when buying bedlinen
- Less space for couples than larger doubles
5. Single
Best for 1 person for childhood to adulthood
- 90cm wide x 190cm long
- 3 feet wide x 6 feet & 3 inches long
A single bed is just as long as a double or small double, so it’s a good choice for a single sleeper under 6 feet in height. Single beds are often used by children and young people - such as students. It’s a one-size-fits-all bed that suits a child moving up from their cot or toddler bed - you can buy rails to attach if you’re worried about them falling out.
A single bed will see someone from toddler age to their teens. At this point, though, many kids like to upgrade to a small double or bigger if there’s sufficient space for this to be realistic.
Pros:
- So much bedding to pick from
- Suits anyone from a small child to an adult
- Takes up at least a foot less space than any double
Cons:
- Not enough room for 2
- Can feel cramped for a large adult
6. Small single
Best for kids or occasional use
- 75cm wide x 190cm long
- 2 feet & 6 inches wide x 6 feet & 3 inches long
A small single is a good choice for kids or use as a guest bed. As it’s narrower than a standard single, it takes up less space. But this also means less room to stretch out in, of course. It’s still 6 foot 3 (or 190cm) in length, and is 2 feet and 6 inches wide (or 75cm).
Bed linen for small single beds isn’t always the easiest to buy. But again it’s not too much of a challenge to buy a couple of small single sheets online or from certain shops. You can then use a standard single duvet and cover.
Pros:
- Good for small spaces
- Ideal as a child’s or guest bed
Cons:
- Bed linen is harder to buy
- Will feel small to as adult
