Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes – A Quick Guide
You’ve bought or are thinking of buying a bunk bed. And now you want to invest in a couple of high-quality bunk bed mattresses. But, you’ve realized that you need more information. Why? Because bunk beds come with an added concern for safety.
Getting the incorrect mattress size could lead to:
- A mattress that pops over the rails
- A loose-fitting mattress that leaves gaps between the guardrails and the bedding
Twin, Twin XL, and Full are typical bunk bed mattress sizes. The mattress for the top bunk should be approximately 6 inches thick whereas the bottom bunk can utilize any thickness. Most bunk beds use a twin mattress on the top bunk and a twin mattress on the bottom bunk as well. There are varieties of bunk beds that utilize full or queen mattresses on the bottom bunk.
In this post, we will look at the different bunk bed mattress sizes so you can buy the right fit for your bunk bed.
Background Information - What is a bunk bed?
A bunk bed is a bed system where one frame is fixed on top of another. For access to the upper bunk, these beds come with ladders or built-in stairs. The main aim of a bunk bed is to free up floor space.
You may need a bunk bed if:
- you have fewer rooms than people in your home
- Your rooms are too small to fit two beds horizontally
- You want to maximize the number of people that can sleep in a room
Bunk beds are a great choice for kids who share the same room. Children find them exciting... be ready to deal with the arguments over who gets the top or bottom bunk!
Apart from that, stacked beds are a great addition to your guest room. Before buying bunk beds, carefully consider whether you are buying for children or adults because the weight limits of bunk beds vary greatly. Bunk beds also come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and make. For a guest bedroom, try to match your bunk bed to your room’s style and decor.
Related topics:
What is a shorty bunk bed?
Does the thought of your kid sleeping on a bed that’s elevated off the ground fill you with dread? Do you worry about the risk of falling?
Well, if you need a bunk bed but are anxious about safety, you can try a shorty bunk bed.
Shorty bunk beds are a shorter version of regular bunk beds. They reduce the safety risk because they are closer to the ground and are more compact. These beds are great for younger children. And if a child accidentally falls, there will be less chance of major injury. Shorty bunk beds, like regular bunk beds, usually use twin or full mattress sizes.
Apart from that, a shorty bunk bed is easier to set up. And if you build one, you’ll use up less material.
You can also fit a shorty in a room that has less vertical space. This will ensure the top bed is not too close to the ceiling, which might be the case if you set up a regular bunk bed.
That being said, note that shorty bunk beds don’t eliminate the risk of a child falling. They only reduce safety concerns. Your kids should still be careful. Also, some shorty bed designs are small and your children will outgrow them. You might find this article on increasing the height of a loft/bunk bed interesting.
How are bunk bed mattress sizes different compared to other beds?
Truth is, modern bunk beds vary in size and shape. For example, some bunk beds feature a full bed on the bottom and a twin on the top. Other bunk beds have a futon at the bottom and a standard bed at the top. See our list of bunk bed sizes.
Most bunk beds accommodate twin size or twin XL mattresses. But there are varieties with a double or a queen bed frame at the bottom bunk. So double-check the bed size before you buy a mattress.
Always choose a mattress that fits snugly within the bed frame to maximize bunk bed safety for your children.
The size of the mattress you choose depends on the size of the bed frames. Measuring the top and bottom bunks will give you the dimensions you’ll consider as you select a mattress.
Give special consideration to the thickness of the mattress you purchase for the top bunk. A mattress that is too thick will peek up over the guardrails. The person using the top bunk will sleep higher on the bed, and this will increase the risk of falling off. Aim for a mattress that is between 4 to 6 inches. The mattress for the bottom bunk can be thicker - 8 in to 10 inches.
Don’t shy from buying a thinner mattress for the upper bunk. With a little research, you’ll find a variety of thin but comfortable mattresses.
To make your work easier, we have provided a comprehensive bunk bed mattress size chart.
Bunk Bed Mattress Size Chart
Bunk bed mattress sizes are shown in the following chart:
| Bunk Bed Size | Mattress Size | Mattress Dimensions (in) | Mattress Dimensions (cm) | Example from Amazon |
| Twin | Twin | 75 x 39 x 6 inches | 190.5 x 99.06x 15.24 cm | Link |
| Twin XL | Twin XL | 80 x 39 x 6 inches | 203.2 x 39.06 x 15.24 cm | Link |
| Full / Double | Full / Double | 75 x 54 x 8 inches | 190.5 x 137.16 x 20.32 cm | Link |
| Double XL | Double XL | 80 x 53 x 10 inches | 203 x 134.62 x 25.40 cm | Link |
| Queen | Queen | 80 x 60 x 8 inches | 203 x 152 x 20.32 cm | Link |