MattressMathMattress Sizes and Prices: Twin, Full, Queen and King on a Budget
Size changes the price more than almost anything else, and the jump is not linear. The cheapest size per sleeper isn't the cheapest mattress.
Dimensions and typical budget prices
Standard US sizes. Prices are estimates for a budget all-foam mattress, scaled from a $280 queen using typical size ratios; hybrids cost roughly 60% more at every size.
| Size | Inches (W × L) | Width per sleeper | Budget foam, est. | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 × 75 | 38 (one) | $168 | Children, bunks, daybeds |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80 | 38 (one) | $190 | Dorms, tall single sleepers, split king halves |
| Full / double | 54 × 75 | 27 (two) | $230 | One adult, small rooms, guest rooms |
| Queen | 60 × 80 | 30 (two) | $280 | Most couples, most bedrooms |
| King | 76 × 80 | 38 (two) | $364 | Couples who want space, kids or pets in the bed |
| California king | 72 × 84 | 36 (two) | $370 | Sleepers over about 6 ft 2 in |
For comparison, each sleeper on a full gets 27 inches, about the width of a crib mattress, and on a queen 30 inches. A king gives each person the width of a twin.
Cost per sleeper, not per mattress
The jump in price is smaller than the jump in space at the top end. Using the same estimates:
- A queen for two is $140 per person; a full for two is $115 per person but with three fewer inches each.
- A king for two is $182 per person, 30% more than a queen for 27% more width.
- Two twins pushed together cost $336 and leave a gap; a split king made of two Twin XLs costs about $381 but lets each person pick their own firmness.
The cheapest comfortable choice for most couples is a queen. A king is worth it when someone is woken by the other's movement or when children regularly join; the extra $84 over six years is about $14 a year.
Will it fit the room?
Allow roughly 24–30 inches of walking space on each side you use and at the foot. Rough minimum room sizes:
| Mattress | Minimum room (approx.) | Comfortable room |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 7 × 10 ft | 8 × 10 ft |
| Full | 9.5 × 10.5 ft | 10 × 12 ft |
| Queen | 10 × 10 ft | 10 × 12 ft |
| King or California king | 12 × 12 ft | 12 × 14 ft |
Add the frame: platform beds and headboards add 2–6 inches to the length. Also measure the route in. A boxed mattress fits through any door; a flat king from a store needs a stairwell that can take a 76-inch-wide object turned on its side.
Thickness
- 6–8 inches: children, bunk beds, trundles, daybeds and guest beds. Cheapest; too thin for most adults nightly.
- 10 inches: the standard budget adult mattress; fine under about 230 lb.
- 12–14 inches: more comfort foam or taller coils; better for heavier sleepers and side sleepers. Needs deeper fitted sheets.
Hidden size costs
- Sheets and bedding. Moving from full to queen means new fitted sheets, a duvet and possibly a frame: $60–200.
- Frames. King and cal king frames need centre support and are not interchangeable; a cal king mattress won't fit a king frame.
- Protector and topper. Each scales with size; a king topper costs about 30% more than a queen one.
- Delivery. Flat kings may need two-person delivery at a store, often an extra fee.
Next, pick a base in the mattress and bed frame guide. For children's sizes see the kids guide; for dorms and RVs see the renters guide. Switch sizes in the calculator to see the yearly difference.
FAQ
What is the cheapest mattress size?
A twin, at roughly 60% of the queen price for the same model. Per sleeper, though, a queen shared by two people is cheaper than two twins.
Is a full big enough for two people?
It gives each person 27 inches, the width of a crib mattress. Fine for occasional guests, tight every night. A queen gives 30 inches each and usually costs about 20% more.
Does a cal king cost more than a king?
Usually the same or slightly more. It is 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower, so choose it for height, not width, and check that sheets and frame match.