Australia has a very specific set of standards that cater to our love for space and our diverse housing styles. Here is a deep dive into the seven standard Australian sizes.
Australian Mattress Sizes: A Comparison with European & UK
APR 07, 2026
Last updated: APR 07, 2026
1299 views , 6 mins read
When you're hunting for a new mattress, the stakes are higher than just "soft vs. firm."
Choosing the right size is the ultimate balancing act between personal comfort and the physical reality of your bedroom floor plan. However, mattress dimensions are far from universal.
If you are weighing up Australian Mattress Sizes vs. European Mattress Sizes, you’re likely dealing with a move, a new imported bed frame, or just a desire for more legroom.
This guide is designed to cut through the confusion. By the time we’re done, you’ll know exactly which size fits your body, your room, and your lifestyle—helping you buy with total confidence and zero "size-mistake" regret.
In this article
All You Need to Know about Australian Mattress Sizes
This means each spring responds separately to pressure, offering more targeted support and better motion isolation.
1. The Single (92 x 188 cm)
The traditional choice for children’s rooms and small guest spaces. It’s compact, but at 188 cm long, it can be a bit of a squeeze for taller adults. It’s best suited for sleepers under 170 cm to ensure there’s room for a pillow without your feet dangling.
2. The Long Single (92 x 203 cm)
A favorite in the luxury and healthcare sectors. A Long Single has the width of a single but the length of a King (203 cm). Its primary superpower? When you put two of them together, you have a standard King. This is ideal for "Split King" setups where partners want different firmness levels on each side.
3. The King Single (107 x 203 cm)
A favorite in the luxury and healthcare sectors. A Long Single has the width of a single but the length of a King (203 cm). Its primary superpower? When you put two of them together, you have a standard King. This is ideal for "Split King" setups where partners want different firmness levels on each side.
4. The Double (137 x 188 cm)
The classic "first apartment" bed. While it's marketed for couples, it’s quite intimate. Each person only gets about 69 cm of space. For 2026 lifestyles, the Double is increasingly viewed as a premium solo-sleeper size rather than a long-term solution for couples.
5. The Queen (153 x 203 cm)
The undisputed heavyweight champion of Australian bedrooms. Data from the Sleep Health Foundation Australia (2025 report) indicates that over 65% of Australian adults opt for a Queen. It provides the perfect balance of length (203 cm) and width for couples while fitting into standard 3.6m x 3.6m master bedrooms comfortably.
6. The King (183 x 203 cm)
If you have the space, the King is the dream. It’s essentially two Long Singles joined together. It’s perfect for couples who prioritize undisturbed sleep or families where a toddler might crawl in during the middle of the night.
7. The Super King (203 x 203 cm)
The ultimate statement piece. A perfect square of 203 cm by 203 cm. It requires a massive master suite but offers an unparalleled level of luxury. It’s the best choice for "co-sleeping" families or anyone who wants enough room to never realize a partner is even in the bed.
Australian Mattress Sizes vs. European Mattress Sizes vs. UK, What's the Differences?
The confusion usually peaks when comparing Australian Mattress Sizes vs. European Mattress Sizes because Europe (and particularly IKEA) follows a "Metric 200" standard.
What is "Metric 200" standard
- In the mattress and furniture industry, the “Metric 200” Standard is not a legally mandatory name, but rather an industry-wide "unwritten rule" or informal standard. It is primarily prevalent in Continental Europe (such as Germany, France, and the Nordic countries).
- Simply put, the core concept is that regardless of the bed's width, the mattress length is uniformly fixed at 200 centimeters (2 meters).
| Mattress Name | Australia (cm) | Europe (EU) (cm) | United Kingdom (UK) (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 92 x 188 | 90 x 200 | 90 x 190 |
| Long Single | 92 x 203 | Custom only | Custom only |
| King Single | 107 x 203 | / | / |
| Double | 138 x 188 | 140 x 200 | 135 x 190 |
| Queen | 153 x 203 | 160 x 200 (EU King) | 150 x 200 (UK King) |
| King | 183 x 203 | 180 x 200 (EU Grand) | 180 x 200 (UK Super King) |
| Super King | 203 x 203 | 200 x 200 | Rare |
Key Regional Differences:
- The Length Factor: Most European mattresses are exactly 200 cm long. Australian adult sizes (King Single and up) are usually 203 cm. That 3 cm difference sounds small until you try to force a mattress into a rigid wooden bed frame.
- The UK "King": Be careful here! A UK King is 150 cm wide, which is narrower than an Australian Queen (153 cm). If you buy "King" sheets in London, they will be too tight for your "Queen" bed in Sydney.
Why You Need to Know These Differences?
Ignoring these measurements can lead to three major "bedroom disasters."
1. The IKEA Gap
IKEA uses European sizing. If you buy an IKEA Double frame (designed for a 140 cm width) and put a standard Australian Double mattress (138 cm) on it, you’ll have a 2 cm gap on the sides. Worse, because IKEA frames are 200 cm long and Aussie Doubles are 188 cm, you’ll have a 12 cm hole at the end of the bed where your pillows or phone will disappear every night.
2. The Bedding Struggle
Fitted sheets are designed with a specific "drop" and tension. Trying to stretch a 200 cm long European sheet over a 203 cm Australian Queen mattress is a recipe for ripped seams and corners popping off at 3 AM.
3. Support and Warranty
Mattresses are engineered to sit flat. If you force a 153 cm Queen into a 150 cm UK King frame, the edges will "mush" upward. This compromises the spring system and usually voids your manufacturer’s warranty immediately.
How to Choose the Right Bed Mattress Size?
Don't just measure the bed; measure your life.
- The 60 cm Rule: You should have at least 60 cm of walking space around the two sides and the foot of the bed. Measure your room and subtract 120 cm from the width—that is your maximum mattress width.
- The Height Test: Take your height and add 20 cm. That should be your minimum mattress length. If you are 185 cm tall, you need the 203 cm length of a King Single, Queen, or King.
- Partner Disturbance: If your partner moves frequently, a larger mattress (King) reduces the "transfer of motion."
- The Staircase Check: Before ordering a Super King, measure your front door, hallways, and especially any tight corners in stairwells.
FAQs
1. Are UK and Aus bed sizes the same?
- No. While both countries use similar names, the actual dimensions in centimeters often differ by a few crucial digits.
- The Length Gap: Australia uses a standard length of 203 cm for most adult beds (King Single, Queen, King). The UK, however, typically uses 190 cm for smaller beds and 200 cm for larger ones.
- The Width Gap: An Australian Queen is 153 cm wide, whereas the closest UK equivalent (the UK King) is only 150 cm wide.
2. Is Queen size bigger than King in Europe?
- Technically, "Queen" doesn't officially exist in most of Continental Europe. In Europe, beds are usually sold by their centimeter dimensions (140x200, 160x200). However, if you are comparing them based on how retailers translate the names:
- European King (160 x 200 cm) is the standard "large" double.
- European Grand (180 x 200 cm) is the equivalent of a UK Super King.
- If you are coming from Australia, an AU Queen (153 x 203 cm) is actually smaller than a European King (160 x 200 cm) in width, but slightly longer. In Europe, the "King" is almost always the bigger tier.
3. What do the British call a queen-size bed?
- The British do not typically use the term "Queen" for a mattress. If you go into a shop in London asking for a Queen-size bed, the salesperson will likely point you toward a King Size.
- Australian/US Queen ≈ UK King (150 x 200 cm).
- Australian/US King ≈ UK Super King (180 x 200 cm).
- Pro Tip: In the UK, a "Small Double" (sometimes called a "Queen" in very old-fashioned contexts, though rare) is actually only 120 cm wide, which is much smaller than what Australians consider a Queen.
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1299 views , 6 mins read