Mattress Thickness Guide: How Thick Should a Mattress Be?

FEB 17, 2022

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When it comes to mattress thickness, people might associate it with luxury and extra comfort. But How thick your mattress should be does have its benchmarks and measurements based on your sleeping preference, your body weight, height of your bed base, etc.

In this article, we teach you how to choose the suitable mattress thickness level for yourself.

Thicker is not always better, especially in memory foam mattresses. Memory foam mattress usually contains multiple layers, while each contributes to the overall height. So do not judge a mattress based on its thickness, but its density and load-deflection properties define its quality and performance.

In this article

1. Mattress Thickness Chart 2025 2. What Determining Mattress Thickness? 3. How to Choose a Mattress Thickness Level? 4. FAQs about Mattress Thickness

Mattress Thickness Chart 2025

The thickness of the mattress is also referred to as its height or depth. Mattresses thicker than 16 inches are often called extra deep or extra tall mattresses.

Also the thickness of your mattress affects the height of your bed. Ideally, it should be around 25 inches from the top of your bed to the floor, in which way your feet can reach the floor when you sit on the edge of the bed, making it convenient to get in and out of bed.

Average mattress thickness are between 8 to 14 inches thick. Normally they are grouped as follows:

Thickness (inches)	Thickness (cm)	Type	Best For	Usage Scenario
2–5 in	5–13 cm	Low Profile Mattress	Toddlers, children, occasional users	Bunk beds, trundle beds, camping setups, or limited-space guest rooms
5–8 in	13–20 cm	Slim Mattress	Kids, lightweight adults, minimalist sleepers	Daybeds, guest rooms, minimalist setups, occasional or light use
8–12 in	20–30 cm	Standard Mattress	Most sleepers, singles, couples, combination sleepers	Master bedrooms, regular bed frames, balanced comfort and support
12–16 in	30–41 cm	Thick / Deep / Tall Mattress	Side sleepers, heavier individuals, those needing extra cushioning	High-comfort seekers, plush feel lovers, often found in memory foam/hybrid models
16 in and above	41 cm and above	Extra Thick / Extra Deep Mattress	Luxury sleepers, users needing added support or height	Premium bedrooms, large bed frames, needs deep-pocket sheets and sturdy base

You might notice the first two bullets describe “thin mattresses,” but there is a difference between low profile and slim mattresses worth noting.

The thinnest mattresses are usually air mattresses, and a low profile might work well for a toddler or occasional guests. But you need to note that these beds are not comfortable and they break down easily.

Slim mattresses contain 1-2 layers of foam, and provide certain comfort and durability. But these mattresses accommodate adults better compared with the low profile ones.

What Determining Mattress Thickness?

The depth of a mattress depends on the thickness of each of the layers inside it. Most mattresses have 2 layers inside them, but high-quality mattresses may have three, four, or more layers. Each layer contains different materials. These materials affect the cushion, support, and durability of your mattress. The two basic layers found in all mattresses are the comfort layer and the base layer.

We have covered the topic of mattress layers here What's Behind the Thousand Dollar Mattresses. Newentor’s Hesperis Mattress is composed of three layers: the first comfort layer of Gel-Visco memory foam which allows the body to experience zero pressure, easily fall asleep and help lower skin temperature, the middle layer is of high-density Q-stretch foam which makes the cushion soft and not collapse, and the last support layer is of highly elastic comfort foam which support the 7-zone pressure point of your body to keep the spine aligned in a natural curve.

Comfort layer

The comfort layer is the plush top layer of the mattress. In some mattress types such as the innerspring bed, the comfort layer is a pillow top comprising cotton, wool, or poly-foam. A pillow top is a surface layer of soft material, stitched and packed with the mattress cover.

Other mattress types such as latex, hybrid, or memory foam mattresses, have latex or memory foam comfort layers. Their base layers are made of different materials. The contouring and pressure-relieving features of a mattress are dependent on the firmness and feel of its top comfort layer.

Comfort layers are usually around 2-3 inches to provide cushion and pressure relief. The Gel-Visco memory foam of the Hesperis Mattress is around 2 inches and contains gel as the cooling feature to effectively help lower temperature by 1.5-2℃.

These other layers lying beneath the comfort layer are often called transition layers.

Base layer

The base layer, also called the foundation layer, determines mattress durability. In most high-quality mattresses, the base layer comprises at least 50 percent of total mattress thickness. The base layer of Hesperis Mattress is called highly elastic comfort foam with 6 inches and provides the main 7-zone body support with ergonomic holes design as this picture shows.

Hesperis Mattress is around 9 inches thick in total with 6 inches of the base layer. Mattresses with a thicker base layer are usually durable because a thick base layer prevents mattress sagging.

In traditional innerspring and hybrid mattresses, the base layer is made of coils. Most memory foam beds sport a poly-foam base layer, while latex beds may have latex foam or poly-foam at the base.

In some beds, the base layers offer customized comfort to different regions of your body such as the head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet. Your head, back, and feet need firmer support, while your shoulders and hips need a softer cushion, that's why we design 7 zone body support with different ergonomic design.

How to Choose a Mattress Thickness Level?

If you want one of the most durable mattresses that stays comfortable for years, it should be at least 8 inches thick, including the minimum requirement of a 2 to 3-inch thick comfort layer and 5 to 6-inch thick base layer.

Usually, the thicker a mattress, the softer it feels. In this section, we discuss the factors to consider when deciding on your mattress thickness.

Sleeping position

Certain sleeping positions need more cushioning, while other positions need more support. Mattresses with different thickness levels can cater to these varying sleep needs.

Combination sleeping

Combination sleepers are usually comfortable on 9-inch thick mattresses with a medium feel.

Since combo sleepers switch to side, back, or stomach sleeping throughout the night, they need a mattress that provides a balance between firmness and softness.

Side sleeping

The best mattresses for side sleepers are generally 9 to 14 inches thick and offer plenty of cushion to the shoulders and hips. These regions bear the weight of your entire body in the side sleeping position.

The side sleepers need the most different body zone support, while it is not necessary the thicker the mattress, the better.

Back sleeping

Back sleepers need 9 to 12-inch thick mattresses to support the natural curvature of their spine and prevent spinal misalignment. Spinal misalignment triggers or aggravates back pain, neck ache, or muscle stiffness.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleepers need 9-inch thick mattresses to reduce the chances of spinal misalignment. Mattresses with a thinner comfort layer will provide a firmer sleeping surface, offering resistance to compression beneath your abdomen.

Body type

The thickness of a mattress and the materials used to make it determine how your mattress responds to your body weight. You should choose a mattress supportive enough for a comfortable night’s rest, and that choice is partly determined by your weight.

Average sleepers

(weighing between 130 to 230 pounds): Average size sleepers may choose between 9 to 12-inch thick mattresses, depending on their sleeping position. When buying a thick mattress, check the material used to make each of the layers to understand how they affect the feel of your mattress. Average sleepers feel comfortable on a medium bed.

Plus-size sleepers

Lightweight sleepers

(weighing less than 130 pounds): Mattresses 9 inches tall or thicker are a good option for lighter people. The thicker comfort layers conform to their body, relieving pressure points and reducing aches.

Sleeping alone or sharing bed

Thicker mattresses with their many layers and a tall base layer can be more supportive than a thin mattress. If you are sharing your bed with a partner, there is more pressure on your mattress than when you are sleeping alone. More pressure on a thinner mattress can make it sag. You need a mattress that’s at least 9 to 12-inches thick.

Specific medical conditions

People with certain medical conditions such as back pain may need firmer mattresses with thinner comfort layers.

Mattresses in the 8 to 12-inch range with a medium-firm feel are good for back pain sufferers. These beds are firm enough to support your back and prevent mattress sinkage while being soft enough to conform to the natural curvature of your spine. Conforming to your spine’s natural curvature enhances lumbar support, relieving back pain.

Those with arthritis, shoulder pain, or hip pain need softer mattresses for enhanced cushioning. Mattresses 9 to 14 inches thick are a good option for people with these medical conditions. That’s because mattresses this thick often have plusher comfort layers that conform to your curves, relieving pressure points off your shoulders, hips, and joints.

Hesperis Mattress could be adjusted to three levels of firmness, medium, medium firm and firm with shifting the sequence of the three layers, comfort layer, transition layer and base layer.

FAQs about Mattress Thickness

How Thick Is the Average Mattress?

The average thickness of mattresses ranges between 20 to 30 cm. Most sleepers can be comfortable with this mattress thickness (25 cm).

Should I Use a Mattress Topper To Add Thickness to My Bed?

Using a mattress topper to add thickness can be an economical way to adjust your bed’s feel, support, and lifespan without buying a new mattress. Toppers typically range from 5-10 cm thick, and the right thickness depends on your current mattress condition, sleep position, and personal comfort preferences. While a properly chosen topper can enhance pressure relief, spinal alignment, and temperature regulation, it cannot fully replace a sagging or structurally worn-out mattress.

How many cm thick is a mattress?

Most high-quality mattresses are typically between 20 cm and 35 cm thick, with different materials and sleep positions affecting ideal thickness. For most adults, a mattress around 25 cm (10 in) provides enough support without being overly bulky; if your weight or sleep position is unusual, you might opt for a thicker model (around 30 cm) or a thinner one (around 20 cm).

What thickness memory foam mattress is best?

A memory foam mattress should be approximately 20–35 cm thick for optimal support and comfort. Mattresses thinner than 20 cm often lack sufficient support, leading to premature sagging, reduced durability, and pressure-point discomfort. Conversely, mattresses thicker than 35 cm can trap excess heat, be harder to get in and out of, and tend to cost significantly more. The Newentor memory foam mattress measures 25 cm in total height, with three layers of high-quality adjustable memory foam designed to contour to your body and deliver a great support for a superior sleep experience.

Botton Lines

In summary, choosing the right mattress thickness ensures balanced support and comfort tailored to your sleep position and body type. A 22 cm mattress suits most adults, for those seeking a high-quality option, the Newentor Hesperis memory foam mattress offers a 22cm profile with three adjustable layers of premium foam. It delivers optimal pressure relief, adjustable firmness and long-lasting support for a truly restorative night’s sleep.

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