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Just the name of it sounds like you’ll get a double size – but the actual reason for the name lies in the last century. Double beds used to be the most commonly bought mattress size for couples. So exactly how big is a double bed?
How Big is a Double Bed in Inches?
A standard Double bed measures 54 inches by 75 inches.
This size is suitable for single sleepers and may be comfortable for slim couples who don’t toss and turn a lot.
Today, mattress companies might use the terms Double and Full interchangeably, with Full being more popular in the US.
If you sleep alone on a Double bed, there is always room for a child or a pet, as they do not take up as much space as an average adult sleeper. Noa Home is an example of a brand that makes double bed-sized mattresses.
How wide is a Double bed?
The Double bed is 54 inches wide, enough to provide lots of comfort for one sleeper. Two people can sleep on it, but if they got used to a Queen-size mattress, they might need time to adjust to a smaller bed.
Double beds are also suitable for teenagers who have outgrown other single mattresses and need more space.
This width is right on point for guest rooms – perfect for single guests and accommodating enough for most couples. Moreover, thanks to the width that’s smaller than Queen or King-size beds, a Double is easier to fit into guest rooms, which are usually slightly smaller than other rooms.
How long is a Double bed?
A Double bed is 75 inches long, which is more than enough length even for slightly tall sleepers.
As for people taller than 6 feet, a Double XL size may be a better option. These mattresses are 5 inches longer than regular Double beds, which should be long enough for most tall people.
Double Bed vs. Full Bed: Is There a Difference?
Double bed and Full bed are two names for the same mattress (54 inches wide, 75 inches long). In the mattress industry, the terms “Double” and “Full” are interchangeable, but in the United States, “Full” is more commonly used.
Double Bed vs. Double Bed XL
For taller single sleepers who want to save some space in their bedrooms, a Double XL, also known as a Full XL, could be appropriate. This is because it is the same width as the standard Double bed but 80 inches long. A traditional Double bed is 5 inches shorter than a Double XL.
Double XL provides extra leg space but it will take up a little more room than a regular Double bed. If this suits your body and sleeping needs, the extra length will certainly be useful.
Why Do Hotels Use Double-Bed Mattresses?
Beds of this size are larger than Twin beds but smaller than Queen beds. They take up less space than a Queen-size (or any other larger mattresses) and provide enough comfort for one or even two people, so Double/Full bed mattress size is popular with many hotels.
Double beds are a great choice for smaller rooms. Large and luxurious hotel rooms with higher ceilings are equipped with Queen or King size, and in many cases, a Split King dominates large hotel rooms or suites.
Double Bed Compared To Other Mattress Sizes
Double beds are only larger than Twin/Single beds, all of the other standard mattresses being larger.
It was the gold standard for couples until the sixties of the last century, we definitely agree that this is the smallest dimension that is acceptable for couples who don’t need extra space.
Twin
A Twin-size mattress has a bit of a misleading and confusing name, just like a Double bed. A Twin-size mattress is the same as a Single bed, with dimensions of 75 x 38 inches.
Although having the same length as a Twin, a Double bed is 16 inches wider and these extra few inches make it a better choice for couples and certainly more comfortable for those who co-sleep with children or pets.
Twin XL
Twin XL is 5 inches longer than a Double bed, which makes it more acceptable for tall single sleepers.
It’s 38 inches wide, just like a regular Twin mattress, which means that both the Twin XL and Twin are narrow for couples.
Queen
The Queen size is 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than the Double bed mattress. Its dimensions are 60 inches by 80 inches.
Queen has replaced the Double bed as the standard for couples, and it takes up a little more bedroom space than the Double bed. For some people, a Queen mattress is unnecessarily big, but for others, it offers just enough space and comfort.
Olympic Queen
Olympic Queen mattresses are the largest type of Queen bed available. An Olympic Queen mattress measures 66 inches by 80 inches.
Since it has larger dimensions than both a Double bed and a Queen-size mattress, it is suitable for couples and families who co-sleep with their children. However, this mattress will occupy even more space in your bedroom.
King
A standard King-size bed is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. Mattresses like this are among the biggest on the market. They are comfortable for tall people and couples with kids.
A King is 22 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a Double bed, so couples can sprawl, they can co-sleep, and they can enjoy the vastness of their mattress.
California King
There is a slight difference in width between a California King and a traditional King. California King is 72 inches wide, not 76 as a standard King. A California King mattress has an extra four inches in length, making it 84 inches long. This is popular among super-tall people.
California King size provides as much as 9 inches longer legroom space as compared to a Double bed. Also, it is 18 inches wider. California King takes up more space in the room than a Double bed, but not at the expense of comfort.
Oversized mattresses
In general, oversized mattresses are mattresses that are wider than the Standard King (76′′ x 80′′) and/or California King (72′′ x 84′′), which are the largest standard sizes available.
A Wyoming-size mattress measures 84 by 84 inches, while a Family-size mattress is 144 inches by 84 inches.
A Texas King mattress is 80 inches wide and 98 inches long. An Alaskan King mattress is the shape of a square and measures 108 by 108 inches.
In most cases, oversized mattresses are manufactured by specialized manufacturers rather than regular mattress manufacturers.
How to tell if a Double bed mattress is right for you
For single adults who need more space than a Twin mattress can provide, Full/Double beds are the best mattress. Couples who enjoy cuddling or don’t mind not having more personal space might enjoy a Full bed.
Before you decide on getting a Double, consider your personal characteristics such as height, body weight, and sleeping style. See if 27 inches of free sleeping space is enough for you if you share a bed. Also, consider the room size and how a Double-sized bed fits in the bedroom.
Sleeping style
A Double bed is comfortable enough (or more than enough) for one person. As for couples, if one person sleeps restlessly and often changes sleeping positions, the Double bed could be too narrow for both. Here you should also take the mattress type into consideration. Memory foam could be good for motion isolation, but it might also get way too hot when you sleep close together.
Height
People who are taller than average will probably not enjoy themselves in a Double bed. For them, a Double XL might be the right one.
Shorter people or people of average height will love the dimensions of the Double bed.
Body weight should not be neglected either. Big mattresses certainly have to offer more support and space to heavier people.
Size of your room
Full mattress dimensions are suitable for smaller rooms. One occupies 3,975 square inches of surface area so the bedroom should be at least 10 ft by 12 ft.
Aesthetically speaking, a large room swallows up a small bed, so for more spacious rooms, a larger mattress is more suitable than a Double bed.
Do you sleep with a partner?
Before the 1950s, Double or Full beds were the standard size for couples. Today Queen size is the couple standard, but slim couples can still sleep perfectly well on a Full or Full XL mattress.
A high-quality motion-isolating mattress is highly recommended for couples.
Budget
A Double bed is less expensive than a Queen-size and other large mattresses and more expensive than Twin-size mattresses.
The price range of a Full or Double bed (53″ x 75″) is somewhere between $250- $1,399. These prices may vary depending on the mattress brand and the quality of the material. Make sure you know how much it’s worth to spend on a mattress before splurging.
FAQs
Yes, two people can sleep in a Double bed, but it is 6 inches narrower than a Queen bed. The overall width of a Double bed is 54 inches, which leaves each partner with 27 inches of personal bed space. If the partners need more free space, Queen, Olympic Queen, or King mattress sizes are more comfortable.
Full (Double bed) is 54″ x 74″ and Queen is 60″ x 80″. A Double bed is smaller than a Queen, and you will have less space, especially if you are sleeping together with someone. On the other hand, a Queen bed takes up more space in your room. If the room is 10 feet by 10 feet, the Queen may be too big to squeeze in it. Here’s our full comparison of full and queen sizes.
Yes, it is one and the same mattress with two different names. The dimensions are 54 inches by 75 inches. In the USA, “Full bed” is more used than “Double bed”.
When inches are converted to centimeters, the width of a Double bed is 137.6 centimeters.
A UK double bed is 75 inches (190cm) by 53 inches (135cm), just like a standard Double bed, it’s perfect for the average single sleeper and also provides couples with just enough space to sleep together. European mattress sizes are somewhat different than American ones.
An Australian Double bed is 54 inches (138 cm) wide and 74 inches (187cm) long. This mattress size is not so common in Australia and is used by 10% of sleepers.
No, it isn’t. Queen-size beds are 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than Double beds. Until Queen mattresses became popular, a Double (or Full) bed was the standard size for couples.
Conclusion
A Double and a Full mattress are the same thing. If you were not familiar with the features of a Full-size mattress, now you know that it is an excellent choice for average single sleepers and satisfactory for couples who like to cuddle. Its price is slightly higher than Single/Twin beds, but it is cheaper than Queen or King-size mattresses. Being 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, it fits perfectly into smaller and medium rooms. This mattress size is popular in multi-bed hotel rooms, student dormitories, and among teenagers.
Next step: Read our Emma mattress review. Emma is a brand that makes Double-sized mattresses (along with other EU sizes). If you think that a Double is right for you, then Emma is the mattress to go with.
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