Full vs. Queen

There are differences in both the width and length dimensions, so queen and full really are substantially different bed sizes.

The full mattress dimensions (54 inches wide, 75 inches long) are best suited to single people, or perhaps single parents sharing a bed with a young child. They are substantially smaller than queens, so a full will also fit in better in a smaller space, such as a studio apartment.

The queen mattress dimensions (60 inches wide, 80 inches long) are best suited for couples, parents sharing with children, and taller people. This is the most common bed size, so accessories are extremely easy to find – and they fit well into most rooms, excluding very small bedrooms.

The table above provides a quick overview, but there are other factors to consider. Let’s dive in and explore everything you should keep in mind while choosing the best mattress size for you.

Which Size is Best for You?

Before choosing between full vs queen, there are a variety of factors to consider:

Sleeping Partner(s) – First off, consider who you share your bed with – or who you may be sharing a bed with in the foreseeable future. If it’s just you, either size could work, depending on your height (for those over 6 feet tall, full beds may feel a bit cramped even on your own). For couples, or those sharing a bed with a child, queen will definitely be a better bet. There is a substantial difference between queen and full beds in both width and length, and simply put, a queen feels far more spacious than a full in most cases.

Cost – Smaller beds are generally cheaper, so you can certainly save some money by going with a full. While it varies from brand to brand, you can generally expect a full mattress to cost about $100-$300 less than queen for the same mattress model.

Versatility – Before deciding on a size, think about the entire lifespan of your mattress, and what may be needed 5 or 10 years down the road. If you’re single now, you may be sharing your bed with a partner in the future. If you don’t have kids or pets now, that could change too. If you go with a full mattress, recognize that you are giving up some versatility in exchange for a lower cost. Generally speaking, queen mattresses are the most versatile, so if you’re on the fence, we recommend sticking with the larger queen size.

Height & Sleep Positions – The most striking difference in size between queen and full is in width – but there is also a 5 inch difference in the length of these bed sizes. At 75 inches in length, the full size may feel a bit cramped for taller people. For instance, a 6 foot tall person would only have 3 inches of “extra” length when fully extended, much of which is taken up by your pillow. At 80 inches in length, queen beds provide a much better choice for people that are taller. Also, keep in mind that this consideration is most important for back and stomach sleepers, as they tend to sleep fully extended. For side sleepers who tend to sleep curled up, the length of the mattress is less of a factor.

Bedroom Dimensions – Full beds have about 15 percent less total surface area than queen beds, which can make a substantial difference in small bedrooms. If you sleep in a small room, going with a full can leave more room for other furniture, and prevent your bedroom from feeling cramped.

Ease of Transport/Installation – Both queen and full mattresses are fairly manageable to move with two able-bodied people. However, fulls are definitely a bit easier to get around corners, up stairs, and through hallways.

Here is a quick summary of our recommendations:

We recommend Full for:

• Single people who do not share their bed with anyone else
• People under 6 feet tall
• Budget-minded shoppers who are okay with a less spacious bed

We recommend Queen for:

• Couples, parents who share their bed with a child
• People over 6 feet tall
• Anyone who prefers more space in bed
• Those looking for the most versatile and future-proof choice