Full vs. Queen Bed Size : What’s the Difference?

A Full (or Double) bed and a Queen may not seem significantly different because the Full is just a little bigger than a Twin and slightly cheaper than a Queen; however, there are significant differences between the Full and Queen bed sizes. We’ve assembled a side-by-side comparison of these bed sizes to help shoppers determine which dimensions will be the ideal fit for them.

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Full vs. Queen Comparison | Full-Size Bed Overview | Queen-Size Bed Overview | Which Size is Best for You? | Additional Considerations

Full vs. Queen Comparison

For a quick summary of the differences between a full-size and queen-size bed, check out our comparison chart below.

Criteria	Full-Size Mattress	Queen-Size Mattress
Size	54″ x 75″	60″ x 80″
Best for	Children, young adults, shoppers on a budget	Couples, individual sleepers who enjoy having extra room
Price	$600 – $1,500	$800 – $1,700
Ideal room	Smaller spaces, guest rooms	Master bedrooms, guest rooms
Pros	More affordable, easy to find accessories for	Comfortably fits two people, easy to find accessories for
Cons	Too small for most couples and taller sleepers	More expensive, more difficult to move

Full-Size Bed

A Full-size mattress or bed is occasionally referred to “Double” or just “Full”. This mattress size is identical in length to a Twin bed (sometimes it’s measured at 74″ in length instead of 75″), which can make it too short for some adults. A Full tends to be a substantially better fit for individuals – a couple would only get a minuscule 27″ each –  which is the width of a crib. The Better Sleep Council says parents are increasingly choosing Full-size beds over twin sizes for teenagers’ and even younger children’s bedrooms.

Width	54″
Length	75″
Width per person	26.5″

Pros

• More affordable than a queen-size mattress
• Comfortably sleeps one person
• Fits into smaller bedrooms
• Easy to find accessories for

Cons

• Typically too small for couples
• Can be too small for taller sleepers

Additional Full Mattress Sizes

The Full XL is identical in width to the Standard Full, but has an additional 5″ length that matches Twin XL, Queen and King-size mattresses, making it an ideal fit for taller individuals.

Width	54″
Length	80″
Width per person	26.5″

Queen-Size Bed

A Queen-size bed is 5” longer and 6” wider than a Full sized bed; so Queen beds are suited for both couples and individuals. On a Queen mattress, each couple gets about 30” of space to themselves, but because it can work for a single person or a couple, the Queen is undisputedly the most popular mattress size today. It is frequently a good mattress for a Guest Room or in smaller Master Bedrooms.

Width	60″
Length	80″
Width per person	30″

Pros

• Comfortably sleeps two people
• Can fill a large space
• Fits taller sleepers
• Easy to find accessories for

Cons

• More expensive than a full-size mattress
• More difficult to move

Additional Queen Mattress Sizes

Olympic Queen (or Expanded Queen) is an entire 6″ wider than a Standard Queen but has the same length (80″), meaning it could be an excellent option for couples who need additional room to sleep.

Width	66″
Length	80″

California Queens are waterbed mattresses and are incredibly difficult to find in today’s online space. Magically stumble upon this mattress and we recommend hopping on for the experience.

Width	60″
Length	84″

A Split Queen mattress is essentially a traditional Queen bed but divided down the middle, which could make it a suitable option for couples who prioritize individual sleeping space, but only have one bedroom.

Width	30″ (each half)
Length	80″

Which Size Is the Best?

Who will like the Full?

• Individual sleepers who want more than just a Twin mattress. Two people could technically sleep on a Full/Double bed, but it would be an exceptionally tight fit – with each person only getting the width of a crib for themselves. For this reason, Full/Double beds are better matches for those who sleep alone and want additional space to spread out.
• Shoppers who are on a budget. Full-sized mattresses, bed frames, and sleep accessories like bed sheets will all be significantly less expensive for a Full/Double than a Queen-sized mattress.
• People who are working with a smaller space. It is wise to leave space around the mattress so that one can still move around in the bedroom or guest room. Make sure to select a mattress that allows other furniture while simultaneously leaving room to move.

Do you think a Full-size mattress is the best option for you? Check out our favorite Full mattress below:

Who will like the Queen?

• Couples who sleep together. In a Queen-size bed, each person gets roughly 30″ of space apiece, making it significantly more comfortable than a Full/Double for couples.
• People who have space to fill. People with Master bedrooms – which tend to be larger than Guest Rooms – will find the Queen to be a better fit than a Full. Queen beds typically fit both Master bedrooms and average size bedrooms well, which makes them a popular option. Larger Master Bedrooms may benefit from a bigger bed like a Queen (or even a King), which can help balance the aesthetic of the room.
• People who can afford the bed plus additional accessories. Not surprisingly, a Queen bed with mattress, matching sheets, mattress protector (yes, you will want one) and additional accessories will all cost incrementally more as shoppers progress to a bigger size. It’s wise conserve your budget when purchasing a new bed so that there is also money remaining to purchase the necessary accessories.

Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock

Do you think a Queen-size mattress is the best option for you? Check out our favorite Queen mattress below:

Things To Consider

Potential buyers may be considering a Queen-sized bed or hoping to save space (and money) by opting with a Full size mattress. Either way, doing the research in advance is imperative – measuring and planning out the space will ensure that the final decision will be the perfect bed for the situation.

• Measure the space and leave room significant room for movement. Those who are considering the jump from a Full/Double to a Queen-sized bed, check to make sure it fits appropriately it in the bedroom. Yes, this may seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to get caught up in an impulsive shopping moment and wind up with a bed that doesn’t fit. An article from Th!ngz Contemporary Living says that the majority of designers will recommend 30″ of space around the bed for movement.
• Ensure that the new bed can be moved into the room. Undoubtedly, the Full/Double bed will be substantially easier to move than a Queen. Even especially strong individuals who can handle the mattress themselves shouldn’t necessarily do it. Always ask for help when moving furniture. Queen-sized mattresses (especially heavier foam ones) may need the help of two people to move.

Overall

Whether it’s a Guest Room or smaller Master Bedroom, there are pros for choosing both a Full/Double bed or a Queen. Couples may be more inclined to go with a Queen for the additional space – but it will also come with an additional cost. This choice will be personal to each of us but can be made must less stressful by simply taking measurements and planning out the room in advance.

Featured image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock