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Canadian Mattress Sizes

Oh Canada, our mattress sizes too!
Canadian Mattress Sizes
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
February 7, 2024

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There’s no rocket science here - a good mattress equals a good night’s sleep!

But what makes a mattress “good” for your specific needs will depend on a lot of things. And its size is one of the most important factors in this regard.

That’s why we are here to tell you about the different sizes of Canadian mattresses and who will benefit the most from each. 

Common Canadian Mattress Sizes And Dimensions

1. Crib Mattress (28 x 51 inches)

Among the smallest and thinnest Canadian mattresses are the crib mattresses designed specifically for crib beds. Ideally, you should get a unit that has a firm feel, as a soft mattress can make your child sink into it more than usual, making them feel trapped. However, it shouldn’t be more than 6 inches thick- anything higher can make your little one feel uncomfortable. 

Besides, you should ensure that it doesn’t have more than 1 to 2 inches of clearance on the sides. Otherwise, your child may roll off and hit the rails of the crib.

2. Small Single (30 x 75 inches)

A small single mattress, also called a cot, is typically used with toddler bed frames like trundle and bunk beds. They are good at accommodating toddlers or young children who are too big for a crib but not yet fully grown to sleep comfortably on regular beds.

3. Twin Or Single (38 x 74.5 inches)

A twin mattress is the smallest member of standard mattress sizes in Canada, so you will find almost all brands manufacturing this size. Although these mattresses can be used for both children and adults, people taller than 6 feet won’t feel too comfortable sleeping on them.

On the bright side, a twin bed can be a nice fit for small spaces like dorm rooms and studio apartments. In fact, some people buy twin mattresses for daybeds, thereby eliminating the need for a sofa or other similar big-sized furniture.

4. Twin XL (Single Extra Long) (38 x 79.5 inches)

Twin XL mattresses are about 5 or 6 inches longer than twin beds, making them more comfortable for taller users. However, they are still narrow enough to fit into small spaces without much fuss. Besides, they can be used for RVs.

You can consider getting a twin XL bed for your child’s bedroom. This way, you don’t have to change the mattress frequently as they grow.

5. Full (Double Or Standard) (53 x 74.5 inches)

A full mattress is one of the most spacious units you will find out there for single sleepers who want more width to spread their limbs without touching the edges. It measures around 16 inches wider than a twin single mattress, but they aren’t any longer. Hence, taller people may need to look for something else. In rare cases, you may find the longer full or double XL mattress.

Another thing to keep in mind is that full mattresses are about 15 inches narrower than queen-sized mattresses. So, we wouldn’t recommend them to couples.

6. Queen (60 x 79.5 inches)

Perhaps, queen mattresses are among the most popular sizes in the country, and for all the good reasons. Firstly, they are suitable for both couples and adult single sleepers, thanks to the adequate surface area they bring to the queen beds. Moreover, tall users don’t have to worry about their feet hanging out of the bed. 

Queen mattresses can easily fit into most rooms without making them look too cramped. But it’s still a good idea to check your queen-size bed dimensions so that there’s no overhang. These mattresses are also pretty affordable, making them a good option for people on a budget or those requiring an extra mattress without breaking the bank.

7. Half-Queen (30 x 79.5 inches)

A half-queen mattress has the same length and half the width as a queen mattress. However, these split queen mattresses are unique in terms of their functionality, as they are specifically designed to split a queen bed. This means you can use two of them on the same bed to customize the firmness and sleeping experience on each side.  

8. Olympic Queen (66 x 80 inches)

An Olympic queen mattress is nearly 6 inches wider than standard queen mattresses. They essentially bridge the gap between the narrow queen beds and the larger king mattresses. This means they provide an ample amount of personal space for couples without taking up all the space in your room, especially if it’s small.

Moreover, they are cheaper than their king counterparts, so you can upgrade your bed without spending a lot of money.

9. Queen RV (60 x 74.5 inches)

Queen RV mattresses are probably the thinnest and narrowest member of the queen mattress family, so they can easily fit inside RVs and similar recreational vehicles. They are also easier to move around; hence, they can be placed anywhere without straining your nerves.

10. King (76 x 79.5 inches)

A king mattress is the largest of all standard mattresses and is generally placed in larger bedrooms or guest rooms for beds that will be shared. Since these mattresses have a large surface area, they can be unnecessarily spacious for single sleepers. 

You may get a king-size bed frame (and a king-size mattress) if you want more than sufficient personal space while sharing the bed. Some king beds also come in a split structure, allowing you to customize the sleeping experience on both sides.

Aside from that, a king bed may be used by parents who want to co-sleep with their children without compromising on space.

11. California King (73 x 84 inches)

A California king mattress (or a Western king mattress, as it’s often called) is a taller but slightly narrower version of the king-sized mattress. As such, California king beds are better at accommodating taller users while providing almost the same width as that of a king mattress. 

We suggest getting one if you want to experience the benefit of a king bed while stretching out more comfortably in a narrow bedroom.   

12. Super King

A super king or grand king mattress isn’t very common, as it’s a larger version of the standard king size mattress. These mattresses are generally custom-made, so their size may vary according to different buyer requirements. For example, a super king mattress may measure 72 x 78 inches, 86 x 85 inches, or even something larger, like 80 x 98 inches.

Choosing The Right Mattress

Choosing the right mattress can be difficult for first-time buyers, so we have a few tips that will help simplify the process. All you have to do is factor in:

1. The Size Of The Room

If there’s no bed in the room, the first thing to do is measure the dimensions of the room to ensure that the frame isn’t too big for it. Choose a bed that leaves at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides so that you can walk around and keep other pieces of furniture if required.

Don’t forget to measure the door space as well. Otherwise, you may end up buying a bed or mattress that doesn’t fit through the door.

2. Number Of Sleepers

Co-sleepers or couples should ideally choose a queen or king-sized bed, as anything smaller than that can leave them totally cramped. On the other hand, single sleepers can get a twin or full bed to get adequate space for stretching and rolling over.

3. The Height Of The Users

Not all beds have the same height, which makes it extremely important to consider the height of the users. If you’re taller than 5 feet, we’d suggest going with a unit that’s at least 1-inch or taller. These include twin XL, queen, Olympic queen and California king beds.

Alternatively, people who are 5 feet or less can go for twin or double beds. And if the bed is shared, consider the height of the taller person.

4. Budget

Generally speaking, larger mattresses cost more than smaller ones. However, the exact cost of a mattress will largely depend on the materials it’s built from and the features it offers. Hence, you may often find some high-quality smaller mattresses (like a twin or twin XL) that cost more than queen mattresses.

Although we’re all for quality, we’d suggest sticking to your budget as much as possible. That said, you can definitely extend it by a few dollars if you’re getting better features or materials.

Final Words

On that note, it’s time for us to wrap up this guide.

Almost every mattress that we’ve mentioned above comes in different variations depending on its material, firmness, and other features like cooling. So, take your time to choose the one that best suits your needs. 

For example, if a naturally cool mattress is your priority, then a latex mattress may be a better option than a memory foam one. Till next time!