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How Tall & Wide Should a Bunk Bed Be (Bunk Bed Size Guide)?

A bunk bed consists of two beds. One bed is placed on top of another in these beds, so it takes the space of one bed. It can be very useful when there’s little space left for two beds. It comes in many different sizes, hence choosing the right bunk bed sizes can be quite confusing.

There are a number of options you can choose but it is important to know the most appropriate size. Thus, quick research might be necessary.

How tall & wide should a bunk bed be?

On average, bunk bed height ranges between 55 to 72 inches. Their width should be between 40 to 60 inches. However, it should mostly depend on the size of the room and the height of the walls as there must be at least 24 inches gap between the ceiling and the top bunk bed.

As it mostly depends on the room size, it should be measured first. For instance, if the height of the ceiling is around 80 inches, a bunk bed of height 61 inches (5 ft) from floor to the top of the frame and width of 40 inches should fit properly.

On the other hand, if the room is small or measures around 144 inches wide by 216 inches long, a bunk bed of width 55 inches (4.5 ft) and length 85 inches (7 ft) would be appropriate. It would also save a lot of space in the room after providing sleeping space for two adult people.

Thus, according to the room size, the bunk bed should take up to 40% of the room. Smaller bedrooms fail to accommodate large-size bunk beds. Even large bedrooms fail to accommodate tall bunk beds or triple bunk beds, and it enhances the importance of measuring the room size.

How high is a top bunk bed?

When the height of the top bunk bed is calculated starting from the bottom of the top bunk bed to its top frame, it can measure around 41.5 to 53 inches (3.4 – 4.4 ft). It will also depend on the gap between the top frame and the ceiling.

The height of the top bunk bed starting from the floor to its bottom can be around 51 inches (4.25 ft). However, it depends upon the size and type of the bed.

King top bunk beds will have a height of around 58 inches (4.8 ft) while queen top bunk beds’ height will be around 51 inches (4.25 ft). Standard top bunk beds will have a height of 46 inches (3.8 ft).

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How high is a standard bunk bed?

Generally, a standard bunk bed, which is mostly the twin bunk bed, has a height of 65 to 68 inches (5.4 – 5.6 ft). This height will vary between different stores but it is usually within this range.

The height of standard beds is calculated when measured from the floor to the top frame of the top bunk bed. Thus, the height of its top bunk bed’s guard rails also influences the height of the standard bunk bed.

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Additionally, standard bunk beds often have a trundle underneath the bottom bed. Standard bunk beds with trundle beds will add 14 to 10 inches to the total height.

How high is a triple bunk bed?

Triple bunk beds are taller than standard beds in nature. As their name suggests, they have three distinctive beds, each having a bed clearance of 33 to 40 inches (2.7 – 3.3 ft). As a result, their combined height adds up to more than 77 inches (6.4 ft).

On the other hand, L-shaped triple bunk beds are around 72 inches (6 ft) tall, which is a little shorter than regular triple bunk beds.

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The height of triple bunk beds will also vary due to other factors such as bed clearance. The higher the bed clearance, the taller the triple bunk bed.

How wide is a bunk bed?

The average width of bunk beds is 42 inches (3.4 ft). It can be altered as per choice.

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But the exact width will mostly depend on its type and size. The sizes and their width include:

Standard bunk bed:

A standard bunk bed has a width of 38 to 40 inches (3.3 – 3.3 ft). It is smaller than twin or single bunk beds.

However, mattresses for twin bunk beds are supposed to fit standard bunk beds as the difference in their widths is only about 2 inches.

Single/twin bunk bed:

Single bunk beds, widely known as twin bunk beds are the most commonly used bunk bed size. Their width measures approximately 42 inches (3.2 ft).

According to its width, only one adult can fit in each of these beds.

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Full/double bunk bed:

Full or double bunk beds have a width of 54 to 61 inches (4.3 – 5 ft). Its width is quite convenient to allow more than one person to accommodate in each bunk bed. 

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However, due to its width, most bedrooms often fail to accommodate double bunk beds.

Caravan bunk beds:

Caravan bunk beds are known for having a shorter width than most bunk beds.

Their width measures around 26.6 inches (2 ft)

However, the main disadvantage of its width is that it makes the bunk bed too narrow; only a kid or a skinny person is likely to fit in these bunk beds.

What are the measurements of a bunk bed?

There are different types of bunk beds and their measurements differ from each other. The most common type of bunk bed is the twin or single-size. It is also called the standard size.

The measurement of a twin or single is approximately 42 inches wide by 80 inches long.

Other rare bunk bed sizes such as queen bunk beds measure around 83 inches long by 63 inches wide.

The chart below represents an estimation of the dimensions of different bunk beds:

Bunk bed type & sizeHeightWidthLength
Single or twin bunk bed65inches42 inches80 inches
Double or Full bunk bed65inches54 – 61 inches82 inches
Caravan Bunk bed65 inches26 inches61 inches
Full Over Twin Bunk Bed65inches70 inches79 inches
Queen Bunk Bed65inches63 inches83 inches
King bunk bed53inches77 inches88 inches
Twin Bunk Bed with Twin Bed Trundle65inches42 inches70 inches
Triple Bunk Bed75 inches80 inches79 inches
Twin over Twin Shorty Bunk Bed50 inches58 inches82 inches

How to measure a bunk bed?

Measuring a bunk bed is not hard if you have a measuring tape and someone to help you hold the tape from the opposite end. A pen and a paper also help to remember all the dimensions of a bunk bed.

Place the measurement tape horizontally:

First, pull down the measurement tape and place one of its ends horizontally at the right edge of the bed until it reaches the left edge. Note the number of the measurement tape at the left edge in inches or feet.

The number noted is the bunk bed’s width.

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Place the tape in the middle:

Secondly, place the measurement tape at the middle top of the bed and stretch the tape all the way to the center of the bed’s foot. 

As it is measured vertically, the number on the measurement tape is the length of the bunk bed.

Usually, the base bunk bed and the top bunk bed do not have the same measurements. Hence, repeat the first two steps for each bunk bed.

Measure the height:

Lastly, to measure the total height of the bunk bed, place the end of the measurement tape on the edge of the top bed bunk. 

The edge could be its top frame or guard rails. Then, extend the tape until it reaches the floor or the bunk bed’s foot. Note down the height of the bunk bed.

How much space between bunk beds?

The height of the space between the bottom bed and the bottom of the top bunk bed, that is the bunk bed clearance, should be around 28 to 38 in. (2.3 – 3.2 ft).

The most suitable bunk bed clearance depends on the height of the person when he/she sits upright on the bottom bunk.

The space between bunk beds should be around 33 inches to allow an adult to sit upright on the bottom bed bunk without knocking their heads. On the other hand, if the bunk beds are for kids, a bed clearance of 13-17 inches should be enough.

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What size are bunk beds in a camper?

There are different sizes of bunk beds for campers. The most suitable size will depend on the size of the camper or RV. Typically, bunk beds for campers are measured 28 to 35 inches wide by 75 to 80 inches long.

Full bunk beds for campers are around 53 inches wide by 75 inches long while three-quarter bunk beds measure 48 inches wide by 75 inches long. On the other hand, twin camper bunk beds are approximately 28 to 40 inches wide by 75 to 80 inches long.

Larger bunk beds for larger campers can be found as well. However, their sizes are too large for most campers.

How high should bunk bed rails be? 

The height of guardrails should be able to secure the occupant entirely. Hence, it should be around 5 to 6 inches above the top surface of its mattress. It is much safer when it is above 5 inches. If the occupant of the top bunk is a large adult, it might require higher than 5 inches.

How wide is a bunk bed ladder?

On average, bunk bed ladders are about 14 to 22 inches wide. However, they should perfectly suit the top bunk bed’s occupant. Adults will require a wider bunk bed ladder while a 14 inches wide ladder should fit kids properly.

How much clearance do you need above a bunk bed?

A clearance of about 33 to 36 inches is required above a bunk bed. If the ceiling is less than 100 inches (8.3 ft), there should be at least 24 inches (2 ft) clearance. The occupant of the bunk bed should be able to sit upright comfortably.

As it mostly depends on the person on the top bunk, their height when they sit upright should be taken into account. Thus, measure their height when they sit upright to determine the inches of clearance he or she requires to comfortably sit up.

There’s flexibility while choosing the height and width of bunk beds as they come in various sizes. In many stores, there are options where the dimensions can even be altered according to the size of the occupant and room. Thus, make sure that your measurements are accurate.