The size of your mattress is one of the most important factors to consider before purchase.
Today, the standard mattress sizes on the Australian market are Single, Single XL, Double, Queen, and King. However, most mattress brands along with these five can also offer you King Single and Super King, which aren’t that common.
So, how do you distinguish between these sizes? And how do you choose the mattress that works best for your needs? Well, just read below and you’ll find all the answers!
What Mattress Sizes are Common in Australia?
| Size | Dimensions (cm) | Dimensions (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 92 cm x 187 cm | 36” x 74” |
| Single Extra Long | 92 cm x 203 cm | 36” x 80” |
| King Single | 106 cm x 203 cm | 42” x 80” |
| Double | 137 cm x 187 cm | 54” x 74” |
| Queen | 153 cm x 203 cm | 60” x 80” |
| King | 183 cm x 203 cm | 72” x 80” |
| Super King | 203 cm x 203 cm | 80” x 80” |
Single
So, let’s start this list with the smallest mattress size that you can find. Single size measures 92 cm x 187 cm and takes approximately 1.72 m2 of space. Its name literally means that the bed can fit a single person of average body composition.
A Single bed will make a good purchase for you in the following situations:
- A small room. The Single mattress will fit better into a smaller or narrow room and provide you with a decent sleeping spot without eating up too much space. This makes Singles a good pick for studio apartments or guest rooms.
- A kid’s room. A Single-sized bed is sufficient for a kid until they become a teenager, and it leaves more room for play.
- A small sleeper. The Single mattress is the smallest, which means that if you’re a large sleeper, switching sides might get a bit difficult for you. Small sleepers, on the other hand, will feel better and can shift through different sleeping positions more easily.
Single Extra Long (XL)
A longer cousin of the standard Single mattress, Single XL has the same width but adds another 16 cm to the length. It’s 92 cm by 203 cm and will take 1.86 m2 of your room space. The additional length makes the Single XL a good pick for those who are taller than 180 cm, and you can often meet this bed size in cheap motels and hostels or college dormitories.
King Single
ere es the bed size that is more common for the Australian and Oceanian market than for the rest of the world. The King Single has a length of the King mattress and is 14 cm wider thane the Single bed. It measures 106 cm x 203 cm, which makes its area equal to 2.15 m2.
By adding some width and extra leg space, the King Single becomes more comfortable for growing kids and teenagers, as they typically sleep more actively and may need some extra space to get comfy. Overweight single sleepers can toss and turn more freely on the Single King as well.
Also read: Best Memory Foam Mattresses in Australia
Double
The Double, as the name implies, can fit two average adults without feeling too cramped. Australian double is almost equal to the American Full-size bed and is 137 cm x 187 cm. A full-size bed will take up to 2.56 m2 of room space.
The Double is one of the most common mattress sizes for teenagers, small master bedrooms, guest rooms, or apartments because it’s a cheaper alternative to Queen. It may not be a good pick for you if you’re taller than 180 cm or if your partner loves to stretch in their sleep.
“Many mattress manufacturers suggest choosing the mattress based on the height of the tallest person who will be sleeping on it, and then adding extra 10-15 cm for the leg space (1).”
Queen
After launching in the 1960s in the US, the Queen mattress has quickly become popular worldwide and remains in this position ever since.
For example, today they make up to 50% of sales in the New Zealand market in 2016 (2) and the Bedroom Report conducted in 2017 found out that 59% of Aussies prefer this bed size to others.
So, what’s the secret?
Nothing special, actually. The Queen-sized mattress is 153 cm x 203 cm, which is 3.1 m2 of the floor space. Turns out, this size is perfect for fitting two average adults — regardless of how actively they toss and turn — without feeling too bulky in a smaller bedroom. Plus, since the Queen-sized mattresses are the most popular, they’re also reasonably priced.
And that’s why a Queen bed literally reigns in most Australian master bedrooms.
Also read: Best Mattress for Back Pain
King
We’re slowly moving into the larger side of the spectrum. The King is basically the largest of the standard mattress sizes on the Australian market: it measures 183 cm x 203 cm and will take up to 3.71 m2 of your room, which is quite a lot.
But who might need a bed this big?
- Overweight couples. The King mattress can offer you enough space to get cozy and easily shift through the different sleeping positions at night.
- Those who toss and turn a lot. If you share a bed with an active sleeper or a fan of the starfish position, now you will have your sacred space to sleep peacefully.
- Those who allow their kids or pets in the bed. In rough times, a King mattress can fit three adults, so it certainly has enough space for a kid or your pet.
Also read: Mattresses in a Box in Australia
Super King
Finally, the last mattress size that you can find in the Australian stores is the Super King, which is 203 cm x 203 cm, or 4.12 m2. This mattress is a bit wider than the regular King, so you need to have a really large master bedroom that will fit it.
Technically, the recommendations for King and Super King mattresses would be nearly the same, so if you want some extra space away from your partner tossing and turning or if you allow your kids and pets to co-sleep on your bed, you might want to purchase a Super King.
So, have you figured out which mattress size is best for you? Share your feedback below!
References
- Peter Zaluzny (n.d.). How to Buy the Best Mattress? Retrieved from
https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/bedroom/mattresses/buying-guides/mattresses - Lee Suckling (2016, November 29). How Have Bed Sizes Changed Throughout the Ages? Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/86945440/how-have-bed-sizes-changed-throughout-the-ages-why-has-the-double-died
- Peter Zaluzny (n.d.). How to Buy the Best Mattress? Retrieved from
Allana Wass is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-chief at Comfybeddy. She was trained at the Spencer Institute to become a Certified Sleep Science Coach and has been featured in VeryWellMind, U.S. News, and Bustle. She has tested over 50 sleep products, which include mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows. She has spent countless hours researching the mattress industry and learning about its cutting-edge technology for over four years, helping you improve your sleep. With her wealth of experience, she thoroughly reviews mattresses and other sleep products to give the best recommendations for each kind of sleeper.