Sometimes called a single bed, a twin bed is a popular choice for children's bedrooms, college dorms and otherwise small sleeping spaces. It's relatively affordable and easy to move from point A to point B, but is it the right size for your space?
Whether you're buying a bed for yourself or someone else, it's worth taking your time to weigh your options. This article will go over twin-size bed dimensions for mattresses and bed frames, offer a breakdown of other bed sizes and provide tips on what to look for when buying a bed.
How Big Is a Twin Bed?
A twin bed is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. Other than toddler beds, it's the smallest option on the market, making it a good choice for kids and compact spaces. Bear in mind twin bed dimensions refer to the measurements of the mattress, as bed frames vary slightly depending on the design.
Who Is a Twin Bed Good For?
Since twin beds are the smallest standard size, they're an ideal choice for kids' and teens' bedrooms, dorm rooms and potentially guest rooms or multi-use rooms with limited square footage. Bunk beds and daybeds typically call for twin-size mattresses.
Pros and Cons of Twin-Size Beds
Twin beds are a good option for kids, preteens, teenagers, college students and, in some cases, single adults. As such, a twin bed is a great choice for certain stages and transitional periods in life, including childhood, the teenage years and young adulthood. However, it's too small for taller-than-average adults and definitely not big enough for most couples.
Thanks to the compact design, twin bed dimensions are great for children who share a bedroom, whether they have bunk beds, daybeds or regular bed frames on opposite sides of the room. In addition to fitting in small spaces, the twin bed size is also relatively easy to lift and move around.
One of the main benefits of a twin bed is that it's among the most affordable options. Also, like other standard bed sizes, bedding is widely available online and in stores to fit twin bed measurements.
Pros of twin beds:
Good for kids' rooms, bunk beds, daybeds and small rooms
Good for growing children and transitional phases
Easy to fit, lift and move
Affordable
Bedding is widely available
Cons of twin beds:
Too small for some adults
Not suitable for two people
For more insight into whether the length or width of a twin bed is right for your needs, see our Decision-Making Guide for Buying the Right Mattress.
Twin vs. Twin XL Size
The only difference between a twin and a twin XL (extra-long) is how long they are. Twin-size bed dimensions are 38 x 75 inches and twin XLs are 38 x 80 inches. So while both are 38 inches wide, the XL version is 5 inches longer than the standard twin bed length.
Twin XL beds are most commonly used in dorm rooms, as they can fit most single adults — even those who are taller than average. But one thing to note is that this mattress size can be harder to find bedding for, as not all brands carry twin XL bed linens.
Twin Size-Bed Dimensions vs. Other Bed Sizes
How do twin mattress dimensions compare to other mattress sizes, including toddler, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king and split king? Let's take a look.
Toddler Bed
Toddler beds use standard crib mattresses, which are 28 inches wide and 52 inches long. In fact, many cribs are designed to transition into a toddler bed, allowing you to use the same frame and mattress.
Twin XL
Twin XL dimensions are 38 inches wide and 80 inches long, making this bed size 5 inches longer than a regular twin mattress. This bed size is a common choice in dorm rooms.
Full
Sometimes called a double, a full bed measures 53 inches wide and 75 inches long. The same length as a twin but 15 inches wider, it's a good choice for single adults and couples who like to sleep close.
Queen
Queen beds are the most popular choice for adults and couples. They're 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, fitting in most adult bedrooms and easily accommodating one or two people.
King
A king bed is 76 inches wide and 80 inches in length. This makes it exactly twice as wide as a twin and 5 inches longer.
California King
California kings (also called Cal kings) are 72 inches wide (4 inches narrower than regular kings) and 84 inches in length, making them the longest option for regular bed sizes.
Split King
A split king is exactly twice the size of a twin XL bed. In fact, it consists of two smaller twin mattresses instead of a single king mattress.
Our Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide dives deeper into each bed option.
What to Consider When Buying a Twin Bed
Now that you're up to speed on twin-size bed dimensions, let's go over the most crucial considerations when buying a bed. This includes the bed size, room size, sleeper's body size and age, bed frame, mattress, pillow size, bedding, price and warranty.
Room Size
Due to the compact size, twin bed dimensions can fit in most bedrooms and multi-use spaces, like home office-guest room combos. To fit one twin bed, the room should be at least 7 x 9 feet, though 8 x 10 is ideal if you're placing other furniture, like a nightstand, dresser or desk.
Sleeper Body Size and Age
Due to the small size of twin beds, they're best for children, preteens, teens and college students. While they can work for some single adults, those who are taller or larger than average should consider different bed sizes, like twin XL, full, queen or king.
Bed Frame Design and Versatility
Though mattress sizes are usually exact, bed frame dimensions vary slightly depending on the design. For instance, a platform bed with no headboard will be more compact than a sleigh bed or four-poster. Twin mattresses work with regular twin bed frames, as well as standard bunk beds and most daybeds.
See our blog on Bed Frame Ideas for tips and guidance on selecting the right frame for your space.
Mattress Type and Material
Beyond twin-size mattress dimensions, you should think about the mattress type and material. The best mattresses you'll find today are hybrids, meaning they feature a combination of innerspring coils for support and another softer material, like wool or foam.
Pillow Size
One pillow is usually placed on a twin bed, which is why twin bedding sets come with one pillowcase. Most brands don't make twin-size bed pillows, as standard pillows work just fine for twin pillowcases.
Bedding
Twin mattresses call for twin-size bedding. This includes a fitted sheet, a top sheet (if the sleeper prefers one), a pillowcase, a duvet insert and a duvet cover.
Price
As the smallest bed size, twins are generally the most affordable option. While the sleeper may eventually grow out of the bed, it's still worth investing in a high-quality mattress. You don't have to get the most expensive model, but the cheapest one may not provide enough support or comfort — and it may need replacing sooner than later.
Warranty
Before buying any mattress, be sure to check the warranty. The Eco Mattress from Parachute is backed by a 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects that lead to tearing, ripping, splitting or cracking. There's also a 100-night trial, so if it's not a hit after trying it out for a few months, we’ll pick it up for free.
Wondering How to Donate, Recycle and Dispose of Old Mattresses? Read our article for tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Twin Bed Dimensions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about twin-size bed dimensions below.
Do two twin beds equal a full-size bed?
No, two twin beds don't equal a full-size bed. However, two twin XLs pushed together are the size of a king mattress. Each twin XL is 38 x 80 inches, and a king is 76 x 80 inches.
Do two twins make a king?
Two twin mattresses are the same width as a king mattress (76 inches). However, two regular twins pushed together would be 5 inches shorter than a king. But two twin XL mattresses equal the same width and length as a king (76 x 80 inches), which is why they're used for split king beds.
How big is a twin bed in feet?
Twin bed dimensions are 38 inches wide and 75 inches long, which comes out to roughly 3.2 feet wide and 6.3 feet long.
Are twin beds too small for adults?
Twin beds can be too small for some adults, especially in length. They're 75 inches long, which is 5 inches shorter than queens and kings. So, taller adults may need a twin XL at the very least, and larger bodies might need a queen or even a king if they share a bed with a partner.
High-Quality Bed Frames, Mattresses and Bedding From Parachute
At this point, you should have a good grasp of how twin-size bed dimensions would fit into your space. Parachute is proud to carry one of the best mattresses available today, the sustainably sourced Eco Mattress, along with several handcrafted bed frames. Sizes include twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king.
When you shop the collections, you'll also find natural-woven bedding, comfy, supportive pillows for all types of sleepers and other bedroom furnishings, including nightstands, lamps and decor pieces.
If you're stuck on what to get for your space, a seasoned design consultant from Parachute is here to assist. They can offer tips on placement, guidance on choosing colors and insight into which materials or styles will work best in your home. Schedule your free virtual meeting today!
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