Australian Mattress Sizes: The Complete Guide

Understanding Australian mattress sizes is essential whether you're purchasing a new bed, shopping for bedding accessories, or simply trying to work out if that mattress protector will actually fit. While mattress sizing might seem straightforward, Australian dimensions differ from American, UK, and European standards, and variations between manufacturers can catch shoppers off guard.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Australian mattress sizes, including exact dimensions, depth considerations, and tips for ensuring your bedding purchases fit perfectly.

Standard Australian Mattress Dimensions

Australian mattress sizes follow a distinct standard that's been established across the industry. Here are the official dimensions you can expect:

Single Size (92 × 187 cm)

The Single is the most compact standard mattress size, providing adequate sleeping space for one person of average build. At 92cm wide, it offers enough room for comfortable solo sleeping while fitting easily into smaller bedrooms.

Best For:

• Children's bedrooms
• Single adults in apartments or smaller homes
• Guest rooms with space limitations
• Bunk beds and loft bed configurations

One thing to note: at 187cm long, the Single is the same length as the Double but shorter than other adult sizes. Taller individuals may find their feet hanging off the end, making King Single a better choice for growing teenagers or adults over 180cm tall.

King Single Size (107 × 203 cm)

The King Single offers extra width and length compared to a standard Single, making it an excellent choice for teenagers, taller single sleepers, or anyone wanting a bit more room without upgrading to a double bed.

Best For:

• Teenagers and young adults
• Taller individuals sleeping solo
• Anyone wanting extra room in a single bed
• Guest rooms where space permits

The 203cm length matches Queen and King mattresses, making King Single suitable for adults of any height. The extra 15cm width over a standard Single provides noticeably more comfort for restless sleepers.

Double Size (138 × 187 cm)

Despite its name suggesting ample space for two, the Double size is relatively compact for couples. At 138cm wide, each person has only 69cm of sleeping space—less than a standard Single provides. However, for couples who don't mind close sleeping or for single sleepers wanting extra room, it remains a practical choice.

Best For:

• Couples in compact bedrooms
• Couples who prefer sleeping close together
• Single sleepers wanting extra width
• Guest rooms with moderate space

Queen Size (153 × 203 cm)

The Queen is Australia's most popular mattress size, striking an excellent balance between sleeping space and room requirements. At 153cm wide, couples each have 76.5cm of sleeping space—more than a standard Single—while the 203cm length accommodates taller sleepers comfortably.

Best For:

• Most couples (the default choice for two adults)
• Single sleepers who want substantial space
• Master bedrooms of standard size
• Anyone wanting the most common size for bedding availability

Queen-size bedding is the most widely available in Australia, making it easy to find sheets, protectors, and doonas in a vast range of styles and price points. This practical advantage makes Queen a sensible choice even for those who might otherwise consider Double or King.

King Size (183 × 203 cm)

The King offers substantial sleeping space for couples who want room to spread out. At 183cm wide, each partner has 91.5cm of space—nearly as much as a Single bed each. This makes King the preferred choice for couples where one or both partners are larger, restless sleepers, or simply value personal space during sleep.

Best For:

• Couples wanting generous personal space
• Larger individuals or restless sleepers
• Families where children occasionally join
• Spacious master bedrooms

Note that King mattresses require larger rooms—you'll need at least a 3.6m × 3.9m bedroom to comfortably accommodate a King bed with bedside tables and walking space.

Super King Size (204 × 204 cm)

The Super King is Australia's largest standard mattress size, offering maximum sleeping space. Its square dimensions (204 × 204 cm) provide exceptional width while maintaining the length needed for tall sleepers.

Best For:

• Couples wanting maximum space
• Families with co-sleeping children
• Those with large master bedrooms
• Luxury hotel-style sleep experiences

Super King requires careful planning—your bedroom needs to be quite spacious to accommodate this size comfortably. Measure your room carefully and allow for at least 60cm clearance on each side of the bed for practical access.

Understanding Mattress Depth

Beyond length and width, mattress depth is crucial when shopping for fitted sheets and mattress protectors. Australian mattresses range significantly in depth:

• Standard mattresses: 20-30cm deep
• Pillow-top mattresses: 30-40cm deep
• Ultra-premium/euro-top: 40-50cm+ deep

When purchasing a mattress protector, check the "pocket depth" or "skirt depth" specification. This indicates the maximum mattress depth the protector can accommodate. Choose a protector with pocket depth at least 5cm greater than your mattress depth to ensure a secure, snug fit that won't pop off the corners.

How to Measure Your Mattress

For accurate measurements, remove all bedding and measure the mattress itself:

1. Width: Measure across the widest point of the sleeping surface
2. Length: Measure from head to foot along the longest edge
3. Depth: Measure from the bottom of the mattress to the very top, including any pillow-top or padding

Write these measurements down before shopping. Minor variations of 1-2cm from standard sizes are common and generally won't affect bedding fit, but larger variations might indicate a non-standard or imported mattress requiring careful bedding selection.

Australian vs International Sizes

If you're purchasing bedding from overseas or moving to Australia with existing bedding, be aware of these differences:

US sizes are generally larger than Australian equivalents. A US Queen is wider than an Australian Queen, while a US King is both wider and shorter than an Australian King.

UK sizes use different naming conventions entirely. A UK Double is similar to an Australian Double, but a UK King is smaller than an Australian King.

Always specify "Australian size" when purchasing online from international retailers, or verify dimensions against the standard measurements listed in this guide.

Armed with this knowledge of Australian mattress sizes, you can confidently shop for mattresses, protectors, sheets, and other bedding knowing exactly what dimensions to expect and how to ensure a perfect fit.