North American Bed Size Frequently Asked Questions

Our North American bed sizes page covers US and Canadian bed dimensions. Here we answer the most commonly asked questions about American bed sizes and how they compare with beds in other countries.

  • Q. What are the standard bed sizes in the US?
  • A. The standard US bed sizes are Twin (3'3" x 6'3"), Full (4'6" x 6'3"), Queen (5' x 6'8") and King (6'4" x 6'8").
  • Q. Why is a single bed called a twin in the US?
  • A. The term twin comes from hotels where two identical single beds were placed in a room, creating a twin room. The name stuck and is now the standard term in the US and Canada.
  • Q. What is a California King bed?
  • A. The California King (also called Western King or Cal King) is a US variant measuring 6' x 7' (1.83m x 2.13m). It is narrower but longer than the standard Eastern King (6'4" x 6'8").
  • Q. Do American and Canadian bed sizes match?
  • A. Yes, American and Canadian bed sizes are the same. However, Canada officially uses the metric system, though beds and mattresses are still widely sold in imperial measurements, even by metric-focused retailers.
  • Q. What is a Twin XL bed?
  • A. A Twin XL is a longer version of the twin bed, measuring 3'3" x 6'8" (0.99m x 2.03m). It is commonly used in college dormitories and for taller sleepers.
  • Q. What is a Full Extra Long bed?
  • A. A Full Extra Long is a variant of the Full (double) bed with the same width of 4'6" (1.37m) but an extended length of 6'8" (2.03m), the same length as a queen or king.
  • Q. Is a US queen the same as a UK queen?
  • A. The UK does not use the queen size name. The closest UK equivalent is the king size at 5' x 6'6" (1.52m x 1.98m), which is the same width as a US queen but 2" (5cm) shorter.
  • Q. What is the difference between a US king and a UK king?
  • A. A US king (6'4" x 6'8" / 1.93m x 2.03m) is significantly larger than a UK king (5' x 6'6" / 1.52m x 1.98m). The UK king is approximately the same size as a US queen.
  • Q. What is a Super Single bed in the US?
  • A. A Super Single is a US variant wider than a twin but narrower than a full, measuring 4' x 6'3" (1.22m x 1.91m).
  • Q. What is an Olympic Queen bed?
  • A. An Olympic Queen is a US variant measuring 5'6" x 6'8" (1.68m x 2.03m), wider than a standard queen (5') but narrower than a king (6'4").
  • Q. Are US bed sizes the same as European bed sizes?
  • A. No. US beds are measured in feet and inches while European beds are measured in centimetres. The sizes do not correspond directly — a US queen (152cm x 203cm) is close to but not the same as a European 160cm x 200cm bed.
  • Q. What is the WC King bed?
  • A. WC King is an alternative name for the California King, derived from the initials of West Coast King. It is also known as a Cal King or Western King.