How Wide Is a Queen Bed? (Complete Guide)
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When it comes to mattresses, Queen-size variants are not only the best-selling but also the most popular – and for good reason. They can fit in most bedrooms, have matching embellishments readily available in stores, and are spacious. But are they really worth choosing over any other mattress? And just how wide is a Queen bed exactly?
The ISPA-standard for a Queen mattress is 5’0″ wide by 6’8″ long (60″ by 80″). Note that non-U.S. regions slightly differ in their measurement of the width of this bed and its frame, as well as in its nomenclature.
Determining how many inches wide is a Queen-size bed entails looking more closely into the various Queen-type mattresses, their different width measurements, and the kinds of sheets that fit them – all of which are in this article. Sounds like a lot to digest? Well, stick around, and I’ll let you in on which bed frame works best with your favorite mattress as a reward!
What Is a Queen Bed?
Let us first define what a Queen bed is before measuring its width.
Categorically, Queen-size beds are the 3rd largest of all standard mattress sizes. Lengthwise, it is two inches shy of a California King (view on Amazon) but exactly as long as a standard King bed. It can comfortably sleep two adults with just enough wiggle room for each to move around. Because of the adequate sleeping area they provide, Queen beds are very popular. In fact, approximately 47% of Americans choose a Queen-size bed over other mattress sizes if they don’t already have it at home (this is based on a 2016 study conducted by the Better Sleep Council or BSC).
A standard Queen bed is 5’0″ by 6’8″ in feet, 60″ x 80″ in inches, or 152 x 203 in centimeters. These measurements are true for North America but differ slightly for other markets, depending on manufacturing tolerances and other factors. A good example of this is the standard Queen beds in Japan and Europe. Their mattresses are noticeably wider compared to those in New Zealand, which deviate from the ISPA-standard width by an inch.
How Wide Is a Queen-size Bed?
Asia
The width of India’s Queen bed is the same as the ISPA-standard, with little to no difference in bed length. The same goes for China, except that 150-cm wide beds are classified as a double and not a Queen. In Indonesia, Queen beds are 3 inches wider (and an inch shorter) than the ISPA-standard.
Pakistan’s Queen mattress has the exact measurements of a U.S. Olympic Queen bed. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s actual Queen-size bed is an almost-square mattress that measures 182 × 188 cm or 72″ × 74″. As for Japan, its Queen bed dimensions are slightly wider but shorter than the international standard. This is because the country uses its own JIS system to reference mattress sizes.
Europe
Before the advent of EBIA (European Bedding Industries Association), there was no standardized width for Queen beds in Europe. Interestingly, Italian traders did not go by name but by actual measurements when telling mattresses apart. They later learned to use monikers to distinguish bed sizes from one another. Queen beds were then referred to as due piazze (meaning “two places”) or letto matrimoniale (meaning “matrimonial bed”). These bed types did not have measurements similar to present-day Queens, but they were the closest – at 160 × 190 cm (63″ × 75″) and 180 × 190 cm (71″ × 75″), respectively.
The same can be said for Northern Europe, although the region got stuck in referring to different mattresses by their measurements. Traders had quite the selection for bed sizes, with double beds being the closest thing to today’s Queen beds – measuring either 160 – 200 cm (63″ – 79″) in width and 200 cm (79″) in length. Furthermore, this part of the EU seems to have been the brainchild for split-type beds, as most of its double beds were sold with two separate mattresses.
On the other hand, Portugal and Spain did have standardized bed widths and lengths. Queen-size beds were 160 cm (63″) wide in Portugal and 150 cm (59″) wide in Spain.
Oceania
The International Sleep Products Association is this region’s reference for standard mattress sizes, which means its Queen-size beds would perfectly match ISPA-standard measurements. At least, this is true for Australia. For New Zealand, its Queen beds are narrower by just a couple of centimeters.
South Africa
Here, the Queen bed is practically the same as in North America but with variances in length. The width of a Queen-size mattress remains fixed at 152 cm or 60″, but its length could either be 188 or 200 cm (74″ or 79″). The shorter mattress is referred to as a non-XL variant, while the longer one is called an XL – hence, the term ‘Queen (XL)’ for a standard Queen mattress.
If we were to refer solely to the dimensions of a standard Queen like a Novilla 10-inch Gel Memory Foam Queen Size Mattress (view on Amazon), its width would easily be 5’0″ or 60″. However, there are currently over 12 known iterations and six different types of Queen-size mattresses from around the world. Hence, there is no one answer to the question ‘how wide is a Queen bed?’ If anything, the table below will do a much better job at satisfying your curiosity:
International Standard Mattress Sizes
Queen (Q)
Called King in the UK and Double in Taiwan; the width of New Zealand Queen beds are shorter by an inch but often rounded off to 60 inches.
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 5’0″ x 6’8″ (ISPA Standard) 5’0″ x 6’3″ (SG) 5’0″ x 6’7″ (UK) 4’11” x 6’8″ (NZ) 5’3″ x 6’5″ (JAP) 5’3″ x 6’7″ (EU) 5’0″ x 6’2″ (TWN) | 60″ x 80″ (ISPA Standard) 60″ x 75″ (SG) 60″ x 79″ (UK) 59″ x 80″ (NZ) 63″ x 77″ (JAP) 63″ x 79″ (EU) 60″ x 74″ (TWN) | 152 x 203 cm (ISPA Standard) 152 x 190 cm (SG) 152 x 200 cm (UK) 150 x 203 cm (NZ) 160 x 195 cm (JAP) 160 x 200 cm (EU) 152 x 188 cm (TWN) |
Oversized Mattress Sizes
Alaskan Queen
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 8’0″ x 8’0″ | 96″ x 96″ | 244 x 244 cm |
Standard Mattress Sizes in Other Countries
Olympic Queen, Super Queen, or Expanded Queen
New Zealand’s King bed matches these dimensions.
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 5’6″ x 6’8″ | 66″ x 80″ | 168 x 203 cm |
Less Common Mattress Sizes
Queen Waterbed
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 4’10” x 6’10” | 58″ x 82″ | 147 x 208 cm |
Short Queen or RV Queen
Matches the size of a Wide Double in Japan and a Queen in Singapore.
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 5’0″ x 6’3″ 5’0″ x 6’5″ (JAP) | 60″ x 75″ 60″ x 77″ (JAP) | 152 x 190 cm 152 x 195 cm (JAP) |
California Queen
| Imperial (FT) | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| 5’0″ x 7’0″ | 60″ x 84″ | 152 x 213 cm |
Important Note: The figures above only denote mattress sizes and do not include beddings, mattress toppers (view on Amazon), and accessories. Having a luxurious setup at home consisting of coverlets, mattress protectors, and plush comforters would easily add 3 – 5 inches to the width of your mattress and, ultimately, your bed frame. If you go for a grandiose frame, you may need to add a couple more inches to the 3-to-5-inch estimate to account for bulk and embellishments.
How Wide Is a Queen Bed Frame?
Now that you know how wide different Queen beds are, your next step should be determining how wide of a bed frame you’ll need (if you don’t have one yet). The 3-to-5-inch allowance I mentioned a while back is a good baseline when shopping for a frame. But here’s the catch – it does not apply to all frame models.
Queen bed frames like Cardinal & Crest | Wood Queen Bed Frame (view on Amazon) are typically 0.5 – 2 inches wider and/or longer than the mattress (Olympic Queen and California Queen beds included). And if your bed is not too swanky, this allowance is already enough space for bedding. It also ensures the sides of your mattress are not awkwardly pressed against the perimeter of the frame. Headboards are usually 0 – 4 inches wider than a simple frame, if not the same width.
Shelter Headboards
As they are typically upholstered and with wraparound edges, these headboards add at least 3 inches on each side of your bed, dramatically increasing the frame width needed for your Queen-size mattress. If you have a standard Queen, this means you will need a frame at least 66″ wide to accommodate both your mattress and tufted headboard.
Depending on which bed frame you opt for, one of two things could occur. Either the 3-to-5-inch extra space is unnecessary (usually happens if your chosen frame has a slim profile). Or the bed frame you fancy is not available in a size compatible with your Queen-size mattress – forcing you to opt for a costly custom-made frame.
To avoid being taken aback by these sorts of surprises, I have grouped the most common bed frames consumers choose to pair with a Queen-size bed into three categories:
| Bulky | In Between | Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Popular models: Traditional or cottage-type bed frames | Popular models: Country or industrial bed frames | Popular models: Modern or contemporary bed frames |
| Examples – French Bed Sleigh Bed Poster Bed Canopy Bed | Examples – Upholstered Bed Divan Bed Storage/Ottoman Bed Panel Bed Murphy/Wall Bed | Examples – Platform Bed Mission/Spindle Bed Wrought-iron Bed Mid-Century Bed Scandinavian Bed |
Some of these frame models are naturally smaller than a Queen like a day bed (view on Amazon), while others provide more width but less length – a French bed, which is an inch shorter than a standard Queen, perfectly suits this description. Thankfully, some frames match the exact dimensions of a Queen-size mattress (for instance, platform beds). The only downside is that your bed frame options will be somewhat limited, especially if the frame models available go against the aesthetic you are after.
How Wide of a Frame Do You Need?
The width of your Queen-size frame will depend on your preferred frame model. Frames with slim profiles are usually only 3 – 5 inches wider and/or longer than the mattress they hold. But bulkier frames like elaborate upholstered frames, four-poster bedsteads, and the like can measure up to 75″ x 90″.
Will All Sheets Fit?
Yes – all Queen-size sheets definitely will! However, you may encounter a few hitches with fitted sheets due to manufacturing tolerances. Other than that, all other bedding types are pretty much interchangeable between Queen-type mattresses (refer to the table below for measurements):
| Type | Imperial (IN) | Metric (CM) |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted Sheet | 60” x 80” x 15” | 152 x 203 x 38 cm |
| Flat Sheet | 92” x 108” | 230 x 260 cm |
| Quilt Cover | 90” x 90” | 229 x 229 cm |
| Comforter (w/ 12″ drop) | 84” x 92” | 213 x 234 cm |
| Coverlet (w/ 16″ drop) | 92” x 96” | 234 x 244 cm |
| Bedspread (w/ 21″ drop) | 102” x 116” | 259 x 295 cm |
The Queen Bed – A Bedtime Story
Before hitting the sack with this guide, let me share the origins of the Queen bed.
Although U.S. furniture manufacturers had begun standardizing bed sizes around 1870, the Queen-size bed came into existence not until the late 1950s (three decades after Zalmon G. Simmons mass-produced mattresses). The Queen bed was initially intended to replace the full/double bed and the “3/4” size bed made in the 1920s, which tall sleepers found incredibly uncomfortable. Hence, Queen-size beds and mattresses were born.
As for the bed’s royal moniker, many think it is attributed to the Renaissance period when beds were made really elaborate. Others speculate that it had to do with the first Queen bed being made for Queen Elizabeth II. But no – it’s really more of a marketing strategy by manufacturers.
The term ‘Queen’ aimed to entice consumers with a new ‘status symbol,’ as not many people had luxurious mattresses during that time. And it worked! Queen beds grew extremely popular just a few years after their inception – thanks to marketing ingenuity, post-war consumerism, and the average American’s growth spurt.
At present, the Queen bed continues to reign as the most popular bed size not only in U.S. households but around the world. It provides excellent comfort and a good night’s sleep without being too hefty or intimidating. Thanks to this bedroom staple, sleepers need not worry about having an enormous sleeping chamber or their feet dangling at the foot of their beds.
Conclusion – How Wide Are Queen Beds?
In summary, an ISPA-standard Queen bed is 5’0″ (60″ or 152 cm) wide. All other Queen beds, including oversized mattresses, range from 4’10” to 8’0″ (58″ – 96″ or 147 – 244 cm) in width. When it comes to the frame, some models perfectly match the mattress width while others go up to 75″. Ultimately, how wide your Queen bed is will depend on your choice of Queen-type mattress and bed frame style.
