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Twin XL vs. Twin Bed Size: Things to Consider When Purchasing

When it comes to furnishing your guest room or your kid’s one, the mattress choice might seem easy – right? However, along with choosing the best mattress, you also have to consider the appropriate size. Are you purchasing a Twin-size or a Twin-XL one? There is a size difference between these mattresses that’s worth considering.

While both solutions are typically designated for guest rooms and kids, the difference could turn out to be quite substantial. This is why it is beneficial for you to be perfectly aware of what separates those beds to make an informed choice.

We’ve put together this detailed overview of Twin vs. Twin XL mattresses to reveal how they stack against each other. The hope is that you’ll be able to differentiate between them easily and, ultimately, make the best call when the time comes to purchase one.

Twin vs. Twin XL Mattress Comparison Chart

FeaturesTwinTwin XL
Length75 inches80 inches
Width38 inches38 inches
AffordabilityVery affordableSlightly more expensive
UsagePerfect for kidsPerfect for kids, teens, and single adults
ProsHighly compactMore length for taller sleepers
ConsNarrow in widthIt’s still as narrow as the Twin size

What to Consider When Choosing a Twin or Twin XL Mattress

Dimensions

The standard Twin mattress measures 38 inches by 75 inches, making it one of the most common choices for kids’ rooms. They will usually outgrow the length when they hit high school, and that’s when their parents would consider buying a new, larger mattress. Until then, it’s a great solution as it’s space-saving and allows you to furnish the kid’s room with a lot of different accessories.

The Twin XL measurements, which are 38 inches by 80 inches, are also convenient for a kid’s room, even though people often use it for a college room bed or a guest-room solution. The reasons are simple – it’s almost as space-saving as its counterpart, but the extra length can better accommodate taller people.

Get More Info: The Ultimate Mattress Size Chart

Price

The prices are a bit different, with the Twin XL being a bit more expensive. However, this is usually only related to the bed itself, as well as larger parts like the bedframe. 

When it comes to the accessories and bedding, it’s fair to say that there is no significant difference. While Twin XL accessories tend to be ever so slightly more expensive, it’s likely not a big enough difference that it would sway your overall choice. 

Comfort

In terms of comfort, both mattresses perform comparatively the same given their intended purposes. A Twin bed would be ideal for a small kid up until they outgrow the length, making it a great choice for your kid’s room. They are also the most affordable size.

On the other hand, the added comfort of the 5 extra inches in the length of the Twin XL makes it perfect for high school, college rooms, and guest rooms. This is because they would accommodate people who can be over 6 feet tall, and their feet wouldn’t have to be hanging loosely in the air.

Bedding

When it comes to bedding, you’ll need to buy according to your bed size, meaning, Twin sheets will not fit on a Twin XL and vice versa. You’ll likely find it slightly easier to find sheets fitted for a Twin bed than a Twin XL bed. However, many companies offer Twin XL options, often marketed as college or dorm bedding. 

Twin XL sheets may be slightly more expensive than regular Twin sheets, however, as we mentioned above, the price difference shouldn’t be significant. 

As far as the comforter goes, you can use a Twin comforter for a Twin XL bed in a pinch, though it won’t look exactly neat and may not reach the bottom of the bed. We’d recommend going ahead and buying a Twin XL comforter for a Twin XL bed. Again, these may be slightly more expensive, but we don’t think the difference is enough to warrant choosing one bed over the other.

Room Size

This is another thing that you would have to account for when you’re making the call for any mattress size. The recommended room size for a regular Twin-size bed is 7 feet by 10 feet or 10 feet by 10 feet if you have two of those fit in the same room. If you have a Twin XL mattress, you can fit one within 7 feet by 10 feet, but you’d be jeopardizing on the length a bit, leaving you with less room to maneuver.

Twin-Size Mattress Pros and Cons

Twin mattresses come with a slightly shorter length which is the main differentiation. They do, however, have a lot of benefits.

Twin-Size Mattress Pros:

  • It’s a very common and easy to shop for bed size
  • It’s quite affordable
  • It’s available and fits almost any room size
  • It is very easy to move around

Twin-Size Mattress Cons:

  • It is way too narrow for two people
  • It may be slightly shorter for adults or taller teens

Read Our Full Guide: Best Twin Mattress

Twin XL-Size Mattress Pros and Cons

The twin size XL reveals a 5-inch length difference which may just be the turning stone when you make your final call.

Twin XL-Size Mattress Pros:

  • It allows more foot space
  • It is virtually the same price as a twin-sized bed
  • It is quite easy to move around

Twin XL-Size Mattress Cons:

  • Requires more length of your room

Check Out Our Guide: Best Twin XL Mattress

Looking for a bed for kids? Explore our picks for the Best Mattresses for Kids


FAQs About Twin vs. Twin XL Beds

How much bigger is a Twin XL than a Twin?

Both Twin and Twin XL beds are 38 inches wide, but the Twin XL measures 80 inches in length, whereas the standard Twin measures just 75 inches in length. This makes the Twin XL ideal for taller people. 

Can I use Twin sheets on a Twin XL bed?

Since Twin XL beds are 5 inches longer, regular Twin sheets will not fit these beds. You’ll need to specifically buy sheets marked “Twin XL.” Many companies sell these extra-long options.

Can a Twin XL go on a Twin frame?

A Twin XL mattress will not fit properly on a Twin bed frame, as it is 5 inches too long. Instead, you should shop specifically for a Twin XL bed frame; many companies carry this option.

Is a Twin XL basically a Full?

Twin XL mattresses are not the same as Full mattresses. Twin XL mattresses measure 38 inches wide by 80 inches in length, making them long and narrow — perfect for solo sleepers who are a bit taller. Full mattresses, on the other hand, measure 54 inches wide by 75 inches in length, making them a better fit for solo sleepers who are shorter and want more space to spread out. 


Conclusion

If you are looking for a single bed for your only child who’s just turned two years of age and is ready to sleep independently, the regular Twin mattress would be a great option, provided you don’t have the extra room. However, if you have the extra room or are looking for a space-saving solution for a college room or a guest room, the Twin XL would be the better option. As you can see, the choice ultimately comes down to who is using the bed and the space available.

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