King Size Bed Dimensions UK: cm, inches & Size Guide

UK bed size labels defy US expectations—a “queen” here is actually a small double, while a UK king is closer to what Americans call a queen. This guide cuts through the confusion with exact centimetre and inch measurements sourced from major retailers and consumer guides, so you know exactly what you’re buying.

UK King Size: 150cm × 200cm · UK Super King: 180cm × 200cm · UK Queen: 120cm × 190cm · UK Double: 135cm × 190cm

The table below summarises all key bed sizes referenced in this guide.

What size is a king size bed UK?

The standard UK king size mattress measures 150cm wide by 200cm long (5ft × 6ft 6in). This is confirmed across every major UK retailer—from Silentnight and Dreams to IKEA and Happy Beds—which gives you confidence these aren’t regional outliers but the nationwide standard. The 200cm length makes kings notably longer than doubles (190cm), which matters for taller sleepers or anyone who wants extra footroom.

In inches, that’s 60 by 78 inches. Some older references still cite 152×198cm (the old imperial rounding), but the consensus has firmly settled on 150×200cm as the current norm. If you’re buying a king-size mattress today in the UK, 150×200cm is what you should expect.

Dimensions in cm and inches

Here’s how the main UK sizes break down in both metrics:

• King: 150cm × 200cm (60in × 78in)
• Super King: 180cm × 200cm (72in × 78in)
• Double: 135cm × 190cm (54in × 75in)
• Single: 90cm × 190cm (36in × 75in)

The key takeaway is that width is where most size upgrades matter. Going from a double to a king adds 15cm of width—not quite a foot—and both share the same 190–200cm length range unless you need the extra 10cm that kings provide.

Comparison to other sizes

King sits squarely in the middle of the UK size spectrum. Here’s how it compares:

• 15cm wider than a double (135cm → 150cm)
• 30cm narrower than a super king (150cm → 180cm)
• 10cm wider than a UK queen (140cm → 150cm)
• 2cm narrower and 3cm shorter than a US queen (152×203cm vs 150×200cm)

Why is queen size bigger than king bed in the UK?

It isn’t bigger—it’s smaller. This is the most common UK bed-size confusion, and it stems from completely different naming conventions on opposite sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, “queen” means a small double (120×190cm). In the US, “queen” is a full-sized bed at 152×203cm. That US queen is actually close to the UK’s king size.

The mismatch doesn’t stop there. The US king (193×203cm) is larger than the UK’s super king (180×200cm). And the US California king (183×213cm) is the same width as a UK super king but longer by 13cm. If you’re importing a bed or comparing international guides, these differences can lead to costly mistakes.

UK vs US size reversal

The naming reversal happens because the UK and US developed their bed size standards independently. What each country calls “queen” reflects domestic market evolution, not an international standard. The result:

• US Queen = 152×203cm → closest to UK King (150×200cm)
• UK Queen = 120×190cm → closest to UK Small Double
• US King = 193×203cm → larger than UK Super King (180×200cm)
• US California King = 183×213cm → same width as UK Super King, longer by 13cm

Queen dimensions UK

Within the UK, queen is consistently a small double: 120cm wide by 190cm long. However, some European-style retailers now stock a wider queen variant at 160cm × 200cm—a size that actually exceeds a standard UK king in width. Naturalmat, for instance, lists a queen at 160×200cm. This Euro-queen is becoming more common as online shopping exposes UK buyers to continental sizing.

“The confusion comes when we look at a US queen size bed, which is actually a small double in the UK—instead, the equivalent UK bed size would be a king.”

— Ethical Bedding retailer guide on UK vs US bed sizes

Is 160×200 king or queen?

A 160×200cm bed is neither a standard UK king nor a standard UK queen—it’s a European queen or king. In UK retail, the standard king is 150×200cm, so 160×200cm is 10cm wider. The 200cm length stays the same. This sizing is common across mainland Europe and is increasingly found on UK sites that source continental products.

If you’re seeing 160×200cm on a UK retailer’s site, check whether they explicitly label it as a European size. Some describe it as a “European queen” or “wide king.” Bedding labelled for this size won’t fit a standard UK king (150×200cm), so cross-check your mattress measurements before ordering.

European sizes in UK context

European mattress standards often use 160cm or 180cm as queen and king equivalents respectively. Here’s how they map:

• European Queen: typically 160×200cm
• European King: typically 180×200cm
• UK King: 150×200cm
• UK Super King: 180×200cm

Note that a European king (180×200cm) matches the UK super king exactly, while a European queen (160×200cm) falls between UK queen and UK king in width. If a mattress is 160×200cm, it’s wider than every standard UK size except super king and emperor.

Super king equivalent

The UK super king is 180×200cm—confirmed by Which?, Dreams, and Happy Beds. This size is essentially the width of two standard single mattresses pushed together (90cm + 90cm = 180cm). Some manufacturers produce super kings as two single mattresses zipped together, allowing couples to customise firmness on each side.

“A super-king mattress measures 180 × 200cm (approximately 6ft × 6ft 6in). A super-king mattress is the size of two standard single mattresses side by side.”

— Which? consumer mattress size guide

Is 200×200 a king size bed?

No. A 200×200cm bed is not a standard UK king—it’s a square or “super king” variant sometimes called an Eastern King. The UK king is 150×200cm, so a 200×200cm is 50cm wider. This square format (equal width and length) is non-standard in UK retail but appears from specialty manufacturers like The Big Bed Company.

The practical implication is that 200×200cm bedding will not fit a standard UK king. You need to seek out bedding specifically sized for square or Eastern king mattresses, which can be harder to find and more expensive than standard sizes.

Eastern king variant

The Eastern King (or square king) format originated in some US and Asian markets where square rooms and bed placement preferences differ from UK norms. In the UK context, it’s a niche size—useful if you want maximum width but don’t need the extra length of a California king.

• UK King: 150×200cm (rectangular)
• UK Super King: 180×200cm (rectangular)
• Square/Eastern King: 200×200cm (square)

If you’re set on a square format, expect to source bedding from specialist retailers rather than high-street chains. The selection will be more limited and prices higher than standard sizes.

Bedding fit issues

Getting bedding wrong for non-standard sizes is a common frustration. UK standard bedding sizes from Which?:

• King duvet: 225×220cm
• Super King duvet: 260×220cm

A 200×200cm mattress is wider than king but shorter than the duvet length, which means standard king duvets may overhang uncomfortably. The emperor size (215×215cm) might be a better match, though emperor bedding is harder to find in mainstream stores.

The pattern is clear: UK buyers must verify every dimension before purchasing, because regional labels don’t travel reliably across borders.

What bed size is 180×200?

An 180×200cm bed is the UK super king size. This is the largest standard bed size sold in UK retail, measuring 180cm wide by 200cm long (approximately 6ft × 6ft 6in). Each sleeper gets 90cm of personal space—3 feet—compared to 75cm on a standard king.

The super king is confirmed at 180×200cm across Which?, Dreams, Happy Beds, MyBedFrames, and Silentnight. The size is equivalent to two standard single mattresses (90×190cm each) placed side by side. Some manufacturers sell super kings as two singles zipped together, which lets couples choose different firmness levels on each half.

Super king standard

The super king’s defining feature is width. At 180cm, it gives couples 90cm each—20% more personal space per person than a standard king (75cm each). This extra width is what distinguishes super king from king, since both share the same 200cm length.

• Per-sleeper width on UK Double: 67.5cm
• Per-sleeper width on UK King: 75cm
• Per-sleeper width on UK Super King: 90cm
• Per-sleeper width on US King: 96.5cm

Mattress guide references

Silentnight, DFS, and Dreams all list super king as their largest UK standard mattress size. Fitted sheets for super king use the exact 180×200cm dimensions, confirmed by Which? as the standard specification for super king bedding.

“At 6’0” wide a super king mattress provides each sleeper with 3’0” of bed space, or 20% more room than a king size bed.”

— The Odd Company mattress comparison guide

Buyers choosing super king over king should budget for premium pricing—super king mattresses and bedding consistently cost 15–25% more than king equivalents across major retailers.

Below is a quick reference comparing the key UK bed sizes and their personal space allocation.

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UK king size beds measure 150x200cm and diverge from US counterparts, much as outlined in this detailed UK standards guide with IKEA insights.

Frequently asked questions