You can not imagine a bed without a mattress and the right size mattress always provides the utmost comfort while sleeping. And when it comes down to choosing a mattress for bunk beds, the size always matters the most to ensure the safety of the top bunk bed.
So it’s obvious for you wanting to learn exactly what size mattress you need for a bunk bed.
Therefore, to ensure safety and comfort, let’s learn about the exact answer considering the right mattress size for bunk beds.
What Size Mattress Do I Need For A Bunk Bed?
Twin-sized mattresses for both the top bunk and bottom bunk are suitable for most of the bunk beds. Also, twin XL mattresses on both top and bottom bunk and full-sized mattresses on the bottom bunk can also be used. But, mattresses for the top bunk should be 6 inches thick to maintain safety.
Table of Contents
According to different varieties of bunk beds, full-sized, twin-sized, and twin XL-sized mattresses are the regular bunk bed mattresses size. However, since bunk beds are made for kids mainly, twin-sized mattresses are used mainly on both top and bottom bunks of bunk beds.
Hence the size of mattresses and varieties of bunk beds are not limited, some people prefer to use twin XL size mattresses for both the top and lower bunk. And some people use full/queen size mattresses on the lower bunk for having extra room to sleep next to their kids.
But remember that regardless of the mattress’s size, the top bunk should have a 6 inches thick mattress to maintain the safeguard of the top bunk.
What Size Is A Bunk Bed?
Here the size and width of bunk beds have been added with short explanations to let you learn about the precise sizes of bunk beds.
Are Bunk Beds Twin Or Full?
Most of the bunk beds come in twin size. This means you will find both the top bunk and bottom bunk of bunk beds in twin size.
Since bunk beds are manufactured in different sizes to meet people’s preferences, you will also find full-sized bunk beds. However, in this case, only the bottom bunk comes in a full or larger size whereas the top bunk is still the twin size.
Since parents want to stay with their children at night, therefore, full-sized bunk beds are made to meet their needs.
Is Bunk Bed The Same Size As A Single Bed?
The bunk bed is the same size as any single or standard sized bed. And the size of any bunk bed and single/standard bed is 75 inches×39 inches×65 inches.
Hence the size of both bunk beds and single/standard sized beds are the same, it makes the dimensions of mattresses the same for both the beds. So, you can use a twin mattress for both bunk and single beds.
How Wide Is A Single Bunk Bed?
The width of a single bunk bed is between 36 inches to 39 inches (92 cm-99 cm ) on average. And this dimension of the width of a single bunk bed is enough for an average person to sleep on.
Also, know that single bunk beds and twin bunk beds are the same, so the width would be identical too.
How Wide Is A Double Bunk Bed?
A double bunk bed is as wide as 54 inches or 137 centimeters. Double bunk beds with this much width are roomy enough for two people to sleep in comfortably both on top and lower bunks.
Besides, tall people at your home will get more length while sleeping on double bunk beds if they sleep diagonally.
What Are The Measurements Of A Bunk Bed Mattress?
Now, it’s time to know the measurements of bunk bed mattresses so that you can get the perfect size mattress for your bunk bed.
How Big Is A Bunk Bed Mattress?
Bunk bed mattresses come in different sizes such as twin, twin XL, full/double, double XL, and Queen. So the lengths of each bunk bed mattress are different from each other.
A twin size bunk bed mattress and a full/double size bunk bed mattress are 75 inches (190.5 cm) tall. But they differed in terms of width as the full bunk bed mattress is wider.
And a twin XL, a double XL, and a Queen bunk size bunk bed mattress have the same length and that is 80 inches (203 cm). These mattresses also differ in terms of width. As the full XL is wider than twin XL and queen mattress is wider than full XL.
How Wide Is A Bunk Bed Mattress?
As you know bunk bed mattresses come in 5 different sizes which are twin, twin XL, full/double, full/double Xl, and queen, so the widths are different too.
Both a twin and a twin XL size bunk bed mattress are about 39 inches (99 cm) wide.
A full/double size bunk bed mattress has 54 inches (137 cm) in width whereas a double XL size bunk bed mattress has 53 inches (134 cm) in width.
And lastly, the queen-size bunk bed mattress is the widest with 60 inches (152 cm) in width.
Bunk Bed And Mattress Size Chart:
For your convenience while choosing the right mattress, a detailed size and dimensions chart over the bunk bed mattresses has been provided below.
| Mattress Size | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (cm) |
| Twin | 75×39 inches | 190×99 cm |
| Twin XL | 80×39 inches | 203×39 cm |
| Full/Double | 75×54 inches | 190×137 cm |
| Full/Double XL | 80×53inches | 203×134.62 cm |
| Queen | 80×60inches | 203×152 cm |
How To Tell What Size Mattress For A Bunk Bed?
Measure The Bed:
First, measure the length by putting a retractable tape at the central bottom and width by setting the tape’s one edge at the left edge and the other at the right edge of the bunk bed. Write down the measurement.
Measure The Mattress:
Now measure the mattress in the same way as the bunk bed and see if the measurements match or not.
Measure The Clearance:
If the length and width of the mattress match with the bunk bed frame, measure the clearance between the lower bunk and top bunk, and between the top bunk and ceiling. And decide on the depth of the mattresses for both top and low bunk.
Does A Single Mattress Fit A Bunk Bed?
A single mattress or most commonly known as a twin mattress will accurately fit a bunk bed. Because bunk beds are made for kids mainly and most of the parents use single/twin size bunk beds.
Therefore, a single mattress is the suitable one to fit both the lower and upper bunk perfectly.
Even though you have different-sized bunk beds like a single/twin bunk on top and a double size bunk on lower, a single bunk bed mattress will fit the upper bunk.
Does A Twin Mattress Fit A Bunk Bed?
There is no difference between a twin mattress and a single mattress so a twin mattress fits a bunk in the most right way too just like a single mattress. In fact, a twin twin-sized mattress is precisely that one mattress size what most of the bunk beds require.
It’s because all typical bunk beds that come with two same size bunks require both the mattresses to be in the same size. So most manufacturing companies manufacture twin-sized mattresses that will fit the standard sized bunk beds.
How Deep Or Thick Should A Bunk Bed Mattress Be?
The depth or thickness of the top bunk mattress and the lower bunk mattress is different because a thinner mattress ensures the safety of the top bunk more than a thick one.
For the top bunk of bunk beds, the depth or thickness of the mattress should be between 4 to 6 inches. If you want a little thicker mattress, go for a few 7 inches deep top bunk mattresses but never exceed the depth of more than 7 inches.
And a mattress for the bottom bunk of the bunk beds should be between 8 to 10 inches thick/deep. However, you can choose a slightly thicker mattress for a low bunk.
Will A Queen Mattress Fit A Full Bunk Bed?
A queen mattress will not accurately fit a full or double bunk bed frame because a queen mattress is larger than a double mattress.
A queen mattress is 80 inches long and 60 inches wide and a double/full mattress is 75 inches tall and 54 inches wide. And it clearly shows that a queen mattress is 5 inches taller and 6 inches wider than a full double mattress which means it will never fit.
Do Bunk Beds Need Special Mattresses?
Necessarily bunk beds don’t require special mattresses that are only manufactured for bunk beds.
So, if you want you can choose a regular mattress to place on bunk beds too. But in this special case, you must choose a twin-sized regular mattress with the exact thickness and made of the right material which would fit a bunk bed.
However, it would always be best if you consider using a mattress made only for bunk beds.
Do Bunk Beds Come With Mattresses?
Maximum bunk beds don’t come with mattresses. They have their own specific size chart of mattress dimensions that would fit the bunk bed frame. So, you have to follow the chart and purchase mattresses separately for the bunk beds you want.
However, in recent days many furniture manufacturing companies are selling bunk beds with attached mattresses for customer’s convenience.
What Kind Of Mattress Do I Need For A Bunk Bed?
What sort of mattress you need for a bunk bed is kind depends on the size and type of your bunk bed frame. If you have chosen a standard twin-sized bunk bed for yourself then obviously you need to use regular twin-sized mattresses for both the top and low bunk.
But if you have selected a double/full sized low bunk bed frame and a twin-sized top bunk frame then you need a twin size mattress for the top bunk and a full-size mattress for the low bunk.
Can You Put A 10 Inch Mattress On A Bunk Bed?
You certainly can put a 10 inches thick/deep bunk bed mattress on a bunk bed as an 8 to 10 inches thick mattress is allowed to be put on a bunk bed. But remember that only on the low bunk bed frame you can place a 10 inches mattress.
The reason is simple. Hence, a low bunk frame is near to ground so even if the mattress is 10 inches thick, it will not hamper the safety of a low bunk bed.
Can You Put A 12 Inch Mattress On A Bunk Bed?
A 12 inches mattress also can be put on a bunk bed but only on the bottom bunk of bunk beds. As mentioned before the lower bunk frame of bunk beds can carry a little more weight than the given specific dimensions, therefore, a 12 inches mattress will not cause problems.
In fact, many companies are also producing 12 inches mattresses as customers demand a little more thick mattress for extra comfort.
Can You Use A Memory Foam Mattress On A Bunk Bed?
You can use a memory foam mattress on a bunk bed because it’s one of the favorable materials for making bunk bed mattresses. But you must consider the size like the length and depth of memory foam mattresses before you decide on buying one for your bunk bed.
Can I Use A Regular Mattress On A Bunk Bed?
You can surely use a regular mattress on both the top and bottom bunk of bunk beds. But you must choose a regular mattress with the recommended size for bunk beds which also comes without the box spring.
Also, you have to consider the material and depth of the regular mattress before getting it.
What Is The Difference Between A Bunk Bed Mattress And A Regular Mattress?
A bunk bed mattress and a regular bed mattress differ in terms of requiring a box spring. A bunk bed mattress doesn’t need a box spring to be placed on the bed board while a regular mattress may need a box spring.
Also, bunk bed mattresses rest on the board without sagging while regular mattresses may sag which makes these two mattresses different from each other.
You will be needing twin size mattresses for any typical bunk bed. However, the mattress size ultimately depends on your preferred size of the bunk bed frame, so consider all aspects.