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Queen vs. King Bed Size Comparison – Which Size Is Better?

King vs. Queen is a mattress battle that’s worth taking a closer look at. One of the first questions that will likely come up is: How much bigger is a King bed than a Queen one?

Understanding this and other core differences between both will allow you to make an informed choice as to which mattress size is going to accommodate your needs. In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of Queen and King mattresses to help you in your shopping journey.

If you want to look at some mattress options, make sure to check out our Best King-Size Mattress page as well as our Best Queen Mattresses that our sleep experts recommend.

Comparison Chart

FeaturesQueenKing
Length80 inches80 inches
Width60 inches76 inches
Room Size10 x 12 feet10 x 14 feet
Suitable ForFor single sleepers or for couples that don’t need a lot of sleeping space.For couples who want maximum personal sleeping space.
PriceQuite affordableSlightly more expensive

Sleep Experts Discuss Mattress Sizes

What to Consider When Choosing a Queen or King Mattress

Dimensions

Starting with the dimensions of both designs, we have the King mattress size which is 76 inches by 80 inches. This is perfect for master bedrooms and is ideal for couples as it provides more than enough space per person.

On the offside, this is a mattress which requires a large enough room. It doesn’t make sense to put a King mattress in a small room just to make it feel crowded. Additionally, you’d have to account for other furniture in the space like a dresser and nightstand.

Queen mattresses measure 60 inches by 80 inches. As you can see, the main difference is only the width. However, 16 inches is substantial. Queen models are appropriate for people who sleep alone yet prefer something more spacious or for couples who don’t have the luxury of a large master room and need something more compact and space-efficient.

Find Out More: Mattress Size Guide

Price

The prices of both solutions could vary wildly based on a myriad of factors. However, it’s important to note that the King-size bed is usually going to be more expensive in comparison. This stems from the larger dimensions of the bed. The same goes for its accessories.

Purchasing a set for a King bed will cost you more than getting one for a Queen. Nevertheless, the difference is not as substantial, and this isn’t a decisive factor that you should be worried about. Both options are rather popular, which provides you with a large breathing room to search for cheaper accessories.

Comfort

The comfort of both sizes would seriously depend on whether or not you’d be sleeping alone or with a partner. If you get the King and sleep alone, this is probably an overkill. However, it is a great choice for a couple as it would provide you with the necessary space per person.

On the other hand, Queen-size options are more appropriate for a single sleeper, even though you should only consider it if you have the luxury of a larger bedroom. If you’re a couple who has the space for a King, though, our advice would stick with that as it’s just more comfortable.

Bedding

Even though the Queen is far more popular than the King both are wildly distributed and as such, finding accessories for them should be easy. Every specialized store you walk into should provide you with a range of options for your Queen or King-size mattress.

Additionally, as we mentioned above, there is no significant difference in the pricing and you could find affordable solutions for both sizes.

Room Size

This is also something you would have to account for. While every couple is likely to enjoy the additional 16 inches of width on the King, not each one of them would be able to allow the additional room space.

The general rule of thumb is that you need at least 2 feet on the three sides of the room. However, this is just in case you are not looking to furnish your bedroom. If you wish to include a wardrobe and other furniture as well, you would have to leave a lot more than just that. Therefore, if you have a bedroom that is smaller than 12 feet by 14 feet, you ought to consider something different than the King mattress.

The perfect room dimensions for a Queen, on the other hand, is about 10 feet by 12 feet. This would allow enough room for maneuvering on the sides so that you don’t feel crowded.

Queen-Size Mattress Pros & Cons

Queen-Size Mattress Pros:

  • More affordable than a King
  • Takes up less space than a King
  • Popular size
  • Good for both couples and solo sleepers

Queen-Size Mattress Cons:

  • Not as roomy as a King-size bed
  • Still more costly than smaller sizes like Full, Twin, and Twin XL
  • May still be too big for some rooms

King-Size Mattress Pros & Cons

King-Size Mattress Pros:

  • More room for couples to spread out
  • Can work well in a master bedroom
  • Plenty of space if kids or pets share the bed too

King-Size Mattress Cons:

  • More expensive than Queen-size beds
  • Take up more space
  • Would require a large enough bedroom
  • More cumbersome to move around

Looking for beds for rooms with varying dimensions? Explore our picks for the Best Murphy Bed Mattresses


FAQs About Queen vs. King Mattresses

Which is better, a King or Queen bed?

Both King and Queen beds have their advantages, so it really comes down to how much space you have in your bedroom, and whether or not you’re sharing the bed. For those with less bedroom space and who are either sleeping alone or don’t mind sleeping closer to their partner, a Queen is a great choice. 

However, if you’re sharing the bed and want to be able to spread out, and you have the bedroom space to accommodate a King, we recommend going for the larger bed size. This way you and your partner will have plenty of space to sleep comfortably without disturbing each other.

Do most couples have a King or Queen bed?

Most couples in the U.S. have Queen beds. These can be a great choice for people who don’t have enough space for the larger King bed or who want to spend a bit less on their bed and bedding. 

What are the disadvantages of a King-size bed?

While King-sized beds can be excellent for couples who want to spread out or share their sleeping space with pets or children, they do come with some disadvantages. For example, King-sized beds take up more space and will require a larger bedroom. They’re also more expensive and more cumbersome to move than Queen-sized beds. 

How much longer is a King mattress than a Queen?

King and Queen mattresses are both 80 inches in length. The difference is in their width: King mattresses are 76 inches wide, whereas Queens are 60 inches wide. 


Conclusion

Of course, the size difference between a Queen and King mattress is substantial. The extra 16 inches of width can make a big change, but a larger bed also means you need more space for it. With this said, the choice is ultimately yours. Consider your personal preferences as well as the ones of your sleeping partner if you have one.

Jill Zwarensteyn

Jill Zwarensteyn

Editor

About Author

Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.

Combination Sleeper