A Queen bed is 60 x 80 inches, which is 152 x 203 cm, or 5 feet by 6 feet 8 inches. A King bed is 76 x 80 inches, which is 193 x 203 cm, or 6 feet 4 inches by 6 feet 8 inches. Both are the same length, so the whole difference is width: a King is 16 inches (41 cm) wider. These are the standard mattress sizes in Canada, and they are the two sizes our eucalyptus TENCEL sheet sets and duvet cover sets are made for.
Queen and King bed dimensions at a glance
| Size | Inches | Centimetres | Feet | Sleeping area | Width per sleeper, for two |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 152 x 203 | 5 ft x 6 ft 8 in | 33.3 sq ft (3.1 sq m) | 30 inches (76 cm) |
| King | 76 x 80 | 193 x 203 | 6 ft 4 in x 6 ft 8 in | 42.2 sq ft (3.9 sq m) | 38 inches (97 cm) |
These are mattress dimensions. A bed frame and headboard add a few inches on top, and how many depends on the style, so measure the frame itself when you plan the room and measure the mattress when you buy bedding.
How much bigger is a King bed than a Queen?
A King is 16 inches wider and exactly the same length. That extra width adds 1,280 square inches, so a King has 27% more sleeping surface than a Queen: 6,080 square inches against 4,800.
For two people, the difference is easiest to picture per person. Split a Queen down the middle and each sleeper has 30 inches, a little more than the width of a standard pillow. A King gives each sleeper 38 inches, which is room to turn over without waking the other person, and room for a child or a dog who arrives at 3am. Neither size is longer, so tall sleepers gain nothing in length by moving up to a King.
What size room do you need for a Queen or a King bed?
A comfortable bedroom leaves a walkway of about 30 inches (76 cm) on both sides of the bed and at the foot. The table shows the floor space that takes for each size. Add the width of your nightstands if they sit beside the bed rather than in the walkway.
| Size | Bed plus 30 inch walkways | In feet | In centimetres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | 120 x 110 inches | 10 ft x 9 ft 2 in | 305 x 279 cm |
| King | 136 x 110 inches | 11 ft 4 in x 9 ft 2 in | 345 x 279 cm |
In practice, a Queen sits comfortably in a room of about 10 by 10 feet (3 by 3 metres), and a King wants about 12 by 12 feet (3.7 by 3.7 metres) once nightstands and a dresser are in place. If the walkway beside a King would drop below 24 inches (61 cm), a Queen will usually make the room feel larger and work better day to day.
Mattress depth: the measurement bedding depends on
Width and length are fixed by the size, but mattress depth varies more than most people expect. Many mattresses are 9 to 12 inches deep, pillow-top and hybrid mattresses often reach 14 to 18 inches, and a topper adds another 2 to 4 inches on top of that. Depth is what decides whether a fitted sheet stays on.
Our fitted sheets have 18 inch deep pockets with elastic all the way round and corner straps, so they hold on mattresses up to 20 inches deep in both Queen and King. If you are not sure how deep yours is, the Queen vs King sheet size guide shows how to measure it in a minute, topper included.
Queen or King: which should you choose?
Choose a Queen if you sleep alone or as a couple who does not mind being close, the room is under about 11 feet wide, or it is a guest room that needs to leave floor space free. A Queen is the most common bed size, so bedding and frames are easy to find.
Choose a King if you share the bed and want your own space, children or pets regularly join you, or the room is 12 feet wide or more. A King also helps when one of you sleeps warm, because more distance between sleepers means less shared body heat. Breathable, moisture-wicking bedding helps with the rest; our guide to sheets for hot sleepers explains what to look for.
Bedding sizes for a Queen and a King bed
| Piece | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | 60 x 80 inches | 76 x 80 inches |
| Fitted sheet pocket | 18 inches, fits up to 20 inches deep | 18 inches, fits up to 20 inches deep |
| Duvet cover | 90 x 94 inches | 106 x 94 inches |
| Pillowcases | For pillows up to 21 x 31 inches | For pillows up to 21 x 38 inches |
Our sheet sets come as four pieces, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and two pillowcases, and our duvet cover sets as three, the cover and two pillowcases, each in Queen and King. Pillowcase pairs are sold separately in both sizes. The bedding bundle puts a sheet set and a duvet cover set together, with the size of each piece chosen separately. For the duvet cover in detail, including how much overhang each size gives, see the Queen vs King duvet cover size guide, and for what each set includes, the complete bedding set guide.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a Queen bed in feet?
A Queen bed is 5 feet wide and 6 feet 8 inches long, which is 60 x 80 inches or 152 x 203 cm.
What are King size bed dimensions in cm?
A King bed is 193 cm wide and 203 cm long, which is 76 x 80 inches or 6 feet 4 inches by 6 feet 8 inches.
Are Queen and King beds the same length?
Yes. Both are 80 inches (203 cm) long. A King is only wider, by 16 inches (41 cm).
Is a Queen bed big enough for two people?
For most couples, yes. Each person has 30 inches of width, which is enough for sleepers who stay on their own side. Couples who move a lot, sleep warm, or share the bed with children or pets usually find a King worth the extra floor space.
Will King bedding fit a Queen bed?
A King duvet cover works on a Queen bed and simply hangs lower at the sides. A King fitted sheet does not: it is 16 inches too wide and will bunch at the corners. Buy the fitted sheet for the mattress you have, and see the sheet size guide for how the two sizes compare piece by piece.
