UK vs US Bed Sizes: What Are The Differences?

As standard, the size of any bed is based on the size of its mattress, and this varies from country to country – that’s why it can get a bit confusing. We tend to particularly conflate US and UK bed sizes due to their similar naming processes. So, to make sure we’re all on the same sheet, here is our guide to American bed sizes vs UK.

The Main Differences Between Bed Sizes

Although it may seem confusing, UK and US bed sizes have roughly the same measurements – they’re just named differently. The American bed sizes are generally a little larger, but variations between the two overall are small.

While there are more standard UK and US bed sizes available, below we’ve listed the sizes most often confused with one another, or those that have different names.

What’s the Difference Between a UK Single and US Twin Bed?

As you can see from the table above, a UK single bed is 3’0” by 6’3” whereas a US twin is 3’2” by 6’2” – wider, but slightly shorter. There’re just a few inches difference!

These sizes are most popular for children’s or teens’ bedrooms, as they’re a great way to make the most of the space in a room when the person residing there is still small.

If you’re looking to stylize a child’s bedroom, opting for bunk beds or loft beds can be a fun way to make the most of the single or twin sized bed, utilizing the size of the room vertically rather than eating up valuable floor space, which can instead be used for the mess they’ll inevitably make.

What’s the Difference Between a UK Double and US Full Bed?

The UK Double and US Full are almost exactly the same size, with only one inch difference between them. These sizes are very popular in more spacious teenage bedrooms, as well as for couples or guest bedrooms working with limited space.

If that’s the case for you, consider further optimizing the space in your room with one of our storage beds.

What’s the Difference Between a UK King and US Queen Bed?

It’s a common misconception in the UK that the Queen bed is a UK size, but this isn’t the case. It’s actually an American-exclusive bed, and is very similar to the UK King with only two inches’ difference. This, understandably, can cause confusion for many of us when shopping for a new bed frame if we’ve consumed a lot of UK content – particularly when there is also a US King.

These bed sizes are very popular with couples, and you’ll usually find that it’s a UK King or US Queen bed in the main bedroom of a house, as this is typically the largest bedroom (and the one where the bill-payer sleeps).

What’s the Difference Between a UK Super King, US King and US California King Bed?

US King size bed dimensions are significantly larger than the UK King, so should not be confused. However, we know it’s easier said than done! The US king bed is actually much closer in size to the UK Super-King, but even then, the former is quite a bit larger.

The real behemoth on this list, however, is the US California King. Measuring 6’0” x 7’0”, this bed is the same width as the UK Super King, but it has an extra half-foot in length for the extra tall among us.

Find Your Perfect Bed Size with Get Laid Beds

Whether you’re looking for a petite bed to fit a tight attic room space or a Super King to stretch out in, you’re sure to find the perfect bed for you here at Get Laid Beds. We offer all UK and US wood bed sizes as well as any bespoke size alterations that you might need thanks to our made to measure service.

Check out our handmade wooden bed frames today to find yours.