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Mattress Size Selection Guidelines

The standard mattress width and length dimensions are given in the table below:

Standard Mattress Dimensions
Name                Width                Length
Twin            38 inches           75 inches
Full              54 inches           75 inches
Queen         60 inches           80 inches
King            76 inches           80 inches

When choosing a mattress anyone will, naturally, consider the space they have available or want to fill. But some aspects of choosing a mattress size go beyond that utilitarian guideline.

Buyers will want to keep in mind, for example, that a certain amount of extra length and width is required for a comfortable sleep. That's obvious common sense, but it's often neglected when making a purchase.

One of the common complaints or requests of couples, for example, is that a mattress should not collapse or dip much in the middle of two sleepers. That causes them to tend to roll together. A pleasant effect part time, it's not desired all the time.

Coil strength and number are only part of the solution to that goal. It's essential that the mattress simply be wide enough to provide a large enough space for that goal to be met. A set of coils, no matter how high quality, can only do so much when there are only so many of them to support you.

The aspect of length brings in new considerations. No one will be comfortable having their feet extend beyond the end of the bed. That's obvious. But even when the bed is just long enough, it's not really long enough, not for full comfort. In order to allow for movement in the night an extra foot of length is required.

That same foot, or more, may be needed to accommodate the need for good heel or ankle support. Depending on the design a mattress may provide more or less support at the edge. Some have a steel wire wrapped in foam around the perimeter to keep the edge from collapsing when sitting on the mattress.

That same wire plays a part in keeping the feet and lower leg well-supported when they're near the edge. The longer the mattress the less the edge plays a role.

Cost is a factor, too, not surprisingly. Even apart from the fact that larger mattresses are more expensive, they require larger sheets, comforter and bedspread. All those are more costly and they have to be replaced much more frequently than the mattress.

Cost or effort of maintenance can be a factor, as well. When a larger mattress needs to be cleaned there is more of it to clean. That takes longer or costs more. Moving a larger mattress - whether for relocation, remodeling or just vacuuming - is, clearly, more difficult. That effort is only occasional under normal circumstances, but it's a factor to be weighed.

At the end of the day, selection is a personal choice. Individual circumstances will determine for each person whether large or small is best for him or her. Keeping in mind some of these guidelines will help inform that choice.