UK Bed Sizes Guide: Single, Double, King and Super King Dimensions

Published 20 October 2026 by Hush My Bed, Birmingham

Choosing the right bed size is the most important decision when you buy a new bed. Too small and you will be cramped for years; too big and you will struggle to open wardrobes or walk round the room. This guide gives you every standard UK bed size in centimetres and feet, explains why the frame is always bigger than the mattress, and shows you how to work out which size really fits your bedroom.

UK mattress sizes explained

UK beds are named by their width in feet. Mattress makers round the sizes in slightly different ways, so you will often see a double listed as 135cm or 137cm, and a king size as 150cm or 152cm. The table below shows both, along with who each size suits best.

Notice that singles and doubles are 190cm long, while king and super king beds are 200cm long. If you are over about 6ft, a king size gives you that extra 10cm of length as well as width.

Bed frame sizes: why the frame is bigger than the mattress

A common mistake is to measure for the mattress and forget the frame. Upholstered frames, headboards and footboards all add to the footprint. Here are the outside dimensions of our handmade bed frames and ottoman beds:

Exact sizes for every design are shown on each product page. Beds with bedside panels or very deep wings are wider again.

That means a king size frame is roughly 20cm longer and 10cm wider than the mattress inside it. Wingback headboards add a further 10cm on most of our designs. Read more in our guide to wingback beds.

What size bed will fit my room?

A comfortable rule of thumb is to leave about 60cm of clear space on each side of the bed and at the foot end. That is enough to walk round, make the bed and, on an ottoman bed, lift the base and reach inside. Using our frame sizes:

Add around 45cm on each side if you want bedside tables, and remember to check radiators, doors and fitted wardrobes. If your room is tight, an ottoman storage bed is a great choice because it needs no space at the sides to open, unlike a drawer bed.

Which bed size is right for you?

Single and small single

Ideal for children’s rooms, teenagers and box rooms. For guest rooms, a bed with a pull-out trundle guest bed or a daybed gives you two sleeping spaces in the footprint of one.

Small double (4ft)

A great choice for a single adult who wants more room to stretch out, or for a smaller second bedroom. It is often overlooked, but it saves 15cm of floor width compared with a standard double.

Double (4ft6)

The traditional UK couples’ bed. Each person gets about 68cm of width, well under the 90cm of a single bed, so it suits smaller rooms rather than couples who like plenty of space.

King size (5ft)

The most popular size for couples. The extra 15cm of width and 10cm of length make a real difference to a good night’s sleep, and most UK master bedrooms can take one comfortably.

Super king (6ft)

The ultimate in space: each person gets as much width as a single bed. Perfect for restless sleepers, tall couples and families whose children climb in at night. Measure your stairs, landings and doorways before you order.

UK vs EU vs US bed sizes

If you are buying bedding or mattresses from abroad, be careful: sizes are close but not the same.

A UK king is closest to a US queen, and a US king is wider than a UK super king. Always buy UK-sized mattresses and bedding for a UK bed frame.

Choosing a mattress to match

Your mattress must match the bed size exactly. A mattress that is too small slides about and leaves gaps; one that is too big will not sit flat or let an ottoman lid close properly. Browse our mattresses, including the Allure Memory Foam 1000 Pocket Sprung, the Reverie Memory Foam 2000 Pocket and the Seraphine 1000 Pocket Sprung.

Shop handmade beds in every size

All of our beds are handmade to order in Birmingham in the five standard UK sizes from 3ft Single to 6ft Super King:

• Ottoman storage beds and wingback ottoman beds
• Deep storage ottoman beds
• Upholstered bed frames and divan beds
• Drawer beds and guest beds with pull-out trundles
• Headboards and bedroom furniture

Not sure which fabric to choose? Order free fabric samples, or read our ultimate guide to ottoman beds.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a king size bed in the UK?

A UK king size (5ft) mattress is about 150cm wide and 200cm long. Our 5ft King bed frames take a 152 x 200cm mattress and measure 161cm wide and 220cm long, or 171cm wide for most wingback designs.

What is the difference between a double and a king size bed?

A king size is about 15cm wider and 10cm longer than a double. A UK double (4ft6) mattress is about 135 x 190cm, while a king size (5ft) is about 150 x 200cm, which gives each person noticeably more space.

Is a UK king size the same as a US queen?

They are very close but not identical. A UK king size is about 150 x 200cm and a US queen is about 152 x 203cm, so always buy UK-sized bedding and mattresses for a UK bed frame.

What size bed fits in a small double room?

Allow roughly 60cm of walking space on each side and at the foot of the bed. A 4ft Small Double frame at 130cm wide needs a room about 250cm wide, and a 4ft6 Double frame at 145cm wide needs about 265cm.

Can I order a bed frame in a non-standard size?

Every Hush My Bed frame is handmade to order in Birmingham. Call us on 0121 448 6987 or visit our showroom at 24 Athole Street, Highgate, Birmingham, B12 0DA to talk through your room.