Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Senior Editor
A king vs. queen is a mattress battle 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?
Understanding this and other core differences will help 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 the Best Queen Mattresses that our sleep experts recommend.
Queen vs. King Comparison Chart
| Features | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 80 inches | 80 inches |
| Width | 60 inches | 76 inches |
| Surface Area | 4,800 square inches | 6,080 square inches |
| Room Size | 12 x 12 feet | 12 x 12 feet or 12 x 14 feet |
| Suitable For | For single sleepers or for couples that don’t need a lot of sleeping space. | For couples who want maximum personal sleeping space. |
| Price | Quite affordable | Slightly more expensive |
Best Queen Mattress
Saatva Mattress
Coil-on-coil structure gives this elevated innerspring bed a luxurious feel and versatility.
Best King Mattress
Nectar Mattress
Nectar provides a premium memory foam bed backed up by a year-long trial and a Forever warranty.
Sleep Expert Discusses Queen vs. King Beds
What to Consider When Choosing a Queen or King Mattress
Dimensions
Starting with the dimensions, we have the king size, which is 76 inches by 80 inches. This is perfect for master bedrooms and couples since it provides more than enough space per person.
On the flip side, you’ll need to have large enough room for it. You don’t want a king bed overpowering a small room, and you’d have to account for other furniture in the space, like a dresser and nightstand.
Queen mattresses measure 60 inches by 80 inches. The main difference between these two is the width, but 16 inches is substantial. Queen models are appropriate 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
A king mattress is usually more expensive than a queen. 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. That said, the difference is not so substantial that you should completely rule out one or the other. Plus, both sizes are popular, which provides you with plenty of breathing room to search for cheaper accessories.
Comfort
The comfort of both sizes would depend on whether you’d be sleeping alone or with a partner. Do you love an extravagantly big bed you can roll around on and feel you have enough space, even with a partner on it? Then a king would be best since these give you an extra 16 inches of width to sleep on.
Body Size and Sleeping Positions
Your body size is important to consider because you want something you can comfortably fit on. kings and queens are the same length, but the king is slightly wider, so it may be preferred by plus-size couples.
Similarly, your preferred sleeping position can also be a determining factor. If you’re a side sleeper, you probably don’t take up as much space since your legs are often curled up, and your arms are under the pillow. In this case, you can go for a queen mattress. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, on the other hand, you might appreciate the extra width of a king that can let you spread out like a starfish.
Bedding
Even though the queen size is more popular than the king, both are wildly distributed, so 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, the pricing is not significantly different, and you can 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 everyone would be able to allow the additional room space.
Both queen and king beds should fit well into rooms measuring 12 feet by 12 feet. That said, some people may prefer to have even more space if they’re getting a king-size mattress. In this case, something that’s 12 feet by 14 feet, for example, might be preferred.
Mobility and Transportation
Moving is tedious as is, more so if you’re also bringing your mattress with you, so you’ll want to consider how you’ll do that with such a big mattress. Both king and queen are among the biggest bed sizes, but the queen is somewhat smaller and, thus, might be easier to move than the king.
Due to its smaller dimensions, a queen mattress should be easier to fit into a vehicle. Similarly, it’s going to weigh lighter than a king because of its smaller size.
Couples
If you and your partner prefer more space, consider a king-size bed, which is 16 inches wider. King mattresses are also a great choice for larger-bodied partners. When shopping for a king mattress, couples should expect that the bed and its accessories will cost more than a queen.
Queen is the most popular mattress choice, and these beds are generally less expensive than king-size mattresses. This can be helpful for couples on a budget. Queen-size options are also good for couples who don’t have a larger bedroom or who don’t need the extra width.
In the event you or your partner is significantly taller, though, then we’d recommend going with a California king mattress, which is 4 inches longer than a standard king.
Children and Pets
Let’s be honest, kids don’t need a king or queen bed, but you probably will if they regularly storm from their room to yours to cuddle and co-sleep. In this case, you will need one of the two if you plan on getting any sleep at all.
Kids (and pets) will leave you with very little personal space, so having a king or queen mattress helps. Either size works, but we do recommend going for the king if both kids and pets stay with you. You’ll appreciate the extra few inches.
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
What’s the difference between a king and a California king mattress?
A king mattress, measuring 76 inches by 80 inches, is wider and shorter than California king, which comes in at 72 inches by 84 inches. Although the two sizes have around the same surface area, they differ in their proportions. California kings are a great choice for tall people, while couples may find that a king is better for them.
Learn more: King vs. California King
What’s the difference between a full and a queen mattress?
With a queen, you’ll have 60 inches of width and 80 inches of length. Fulls provide 54 inches of width and 75 inches of length. A full mattress is going to be the better choice for someone who sleeps alone, while a queen would be better for a couple. Some couples might have to utilize a full bed to accommodate their bedroom size, but the surface space of a full mattress won’t give you much room to spread out.
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.
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.
Final Word of Advice
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.
The Advisor Says
The size difference might appear small, but it’s significant. If you’re struggling to visualize this, we suggest visiting a mattress store to try each size and see how it fits your height, body size, and preferred sleeping position.
Jill Zwarensteyn
Senior Editor
About Author
Jill Zwarensteyn is the senior 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
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach