Best Bed Height: Which Is Best for You?

Written by Natalie Grigson, Writer

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In This Article

Getting a new mattress but not sure how high your bed frame should be? We’ll cover the best heights for all ages and bed frame types.

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There is a lot that goes into putting together your bedroom, but have you considered how high your bed should be? Bed height is an important feature to be aware of for both practical purposes and aesthetic ones. 

When we talk about bed height, we mean the height from the floor up to the top of the mattress, so it includes any space between the floor and the frame, the boxspring if you have one, and the mattress itself.

Finding The Best Bed Height for You

Ideally, when you sit down on the edge of your bed, you want your feet to be able to comfortably rest on the floor. For most people, this means a 90-degree bend at the knee.

The average knee height for most adults is somewhere between 16 and 24 inches off of the ground.¹ So, to get that comfortable 90-degree angle at the knee, your mattress should be somewhere between 16 and 24 inches from the ground. In general, a taller person will need a taller bed, and a shorter person will need a shorter one, but there are also special circumstances to this, such as for people with mobility issues. 

Why Does Bed Height Matter?

Choosing the proper bed height will make it easier to get in and out of bed, which can be especially important for anyone with mobility issues, injuries, or painful joints.

Your bed’s height will also play a role in your bedroom’s aesthetic. For example, beds low to the ground tend to look more modern and minimalist, whereas beds high up off the ground tend to look more traditional or antique. Some people may also have pets who need to climb up on the bed, and a higher bed could make that challenging. 

If you’re trying to fit your bed beneath a window or some other feature of the room, you’ll also need to make sure the height works for the space.

How to Choose the Best Bed Height

Your Height

You’ll need to consider your own height when picking out your bed’s height because this will determine how easy it is to get in and out of bed. Ideally, your bed will be only as high as knee level. To see if it’s the right height, try sitting on the edge of the bed. Your knees and hips should be in alignment and your feet should be flat on the floor. 

If you want to be more precise, measure how many inches it is from the bottom of your foot to the top of your knee when you’re sitting down and the knee is at a right angle. This should be the ideal height for your bed. If measuring isn’t feasible, a good guess is somewhere in the middle: about 20 to 23 inches high, including the bed frame, the mattress, and any box spring.

Age

A bed can either be too high or too low depending on a person’s age. For example, children shouldn’t have a bed that’s too high, since falling out of it could be dangerous. Likewise, it shouldn’t be low enough that they’re not comfortable sitting on the edge. 

Seniors also need to be careful when picking out their bed’s height. One study showed that seniors were more likely to fall if their bed height was too low, in particular.² A too-low or too-high bed may also make getting in and out of it more painful, which is bad news for those with mobility issues or stiff joints. 

What Is the Best Bed Height for Seniors?

We recommend that seniors get proper bed height measurements for themselves by doing the steps we covered above, either on their own or with the help of a friend or family member.

Of course,  any physical ailments can impact bed height too. For example, if you have weak knees or minimal upper body strength, try adding a couple of inches to your bed height, so you avoid putting too much pressure on your joints when getting in and out of bed.

Read more about the best mattresses for seniors.

What Is the Best Bed Height for Children?

For toddlers and very small children, we recommend a bed lower to the ground. This will be easier to get into, and it can pose a lower safety risk if your toddler tumbles out of bed.

As your child grows, you can either replace the bed with a higher and perhaps larger one, or you can raise the bed by placing bed risers beneath its legs, adding a box spring beneath the mattress, or replacing your child’s mattress with a thicker one.

More: Best Kids Mattress

Physical Limitations

Physical limitations can mean anything from long-term or permanent physical disabilities to more temporary limitations like injuries, post-surgical recovery, or illness. You’ll want to pick a bed height that accommodates your physical limitation, and if it’s a temporary limitation, be sure to pick a bed height that will also work once you’ve recovered. 

For those in a wheelchair, the Americans with Disabilities Act recommends a bed height of 20 to 23 inches to make getting in and out of bed easier.³ Even if you’re only temporarily in a wheelchair, this height should still work well once you’ve recovered for most people. 

You might also consider an adjustable bed frame, which may help some people with physical limitations get in and out of bed by helping lift the torso. 

Couples

Picking a bed that works for two people can be tricky, and it can be especially tricky for two people of vastly different heights. What are you supposed to do when the bed should come up to knee level, but your knees are at completely different levels?

You’ll have to compromise, and unfortunately for the shorter of you two, you’ll likely have to go closer to the taller person’s knee height rather than yours. If a taller person is consistently getting in and out of a very low bed, this can put a lot of strain on the knees, but a short person can get in and out of a taller bed without damaging their knees, even if it’s less than ideal. 

To help, you might consider getting a small step for getting in and out of bed. 

Different Types of Bed Frames and Platforms

Standard Frames

Standard bed frames are the more traditional of the bases. These bed frames are usually used with a box spring, and with the frame, box spring, and mattress, the bed is usually somewhere around 25 inches off the ground. This is generally a good height for taller folks or those who want a bed that sits a bit higher.

Usually, these frames are made with steel and are a great low-price option, especially if you are using a mattress that goes with a box spring.

Learn more: Best Bed Frames for 2024

Platform Beds

Platform beds tend to be lower to the ground and give a minimalist, modern look to a space. They don’t require a box spring, and they average about 18 inches off of the ground, mattress included. This will work well for a shorter person or somebody who wants to sleep lower to the ground. We wouldn’t recommend sleeping low to the ground if you have bad knees or a bad back.

Platform beds can be made from wood, steel, or some combination of materials, and they can either have a slatted or solid base.

More: Best Mattress for Platform Beds

Adjustable Bed Frame

Adjustable bed frames are bed frames that can be adjusted by remote control or manual buttons to elevate the head/shoulders, the knees/feet, or some combination of these. Research suggests that sleeping on an incline like this can help improve sleep apnea symptoms.⁴ Adjustable beds are also recommended for those who have had back surgery and even patients with glaucoma as they can relieve some eye pressure.^{5, 6}

The heights of these beds from the ground to the top of the mattress tend to vary, depending on the mattress you’re using, the position the bed is in, and the height of the frame’s legs. However, they are all elevated from the ground at least somewhat so that the bed can move.