A twin is 38 x 75 inches and a full is 54 x 75 inches. Here is what those 16 inches mean for kids, teens, solo adults and guest rooms, and how to choose.

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A twin and a full mattress are the same length. The whole decision comes down to 16 inches of width, and those 16 inches change who the bed suits, what room it fits and what it costs. This guide lays out the exact dimensions, the room sizes each one needs and a clear way to decide between them.
Choose a twin for a child, a bunk or trundle bed, a small guest room or any room narrower than about 10 feet where floor space matters most. Choose a full for a teenager or adult sleeping alone who wants room to spread out, or for a guest room that occasionally hosts two people. If the sleeper is taller than about 6 feet, look at a twin XL or queen instead, because neither a twin nor a full adds length.
| Feature | Twin | Full |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 38 x 75 inches | 54 x 75 inches |
| Sleeping surface | About 19.8 square feet | About 28.1 square feet |
| Also called | Single | Double |
| Best-suited sleeper | Kids, teens, solo adults in small rooms | Teens and adults sleeping alone; occasional couples |
| Width per person for two | Not practical for two adults | 27 inches each, narrower than a crib mattress |
| Suggested minimum room | Roughly 7 x 10 feet | Roughly 10 x 10 feet |
| Typical price | Lowest of the standard sizes | Moderately more than a twin in the same model |
| Bedding availability | Easy to find | Easy to find |
| Where to buy | In store or online; widely stocked | In store or online; widely stocked |
A standard twin measures 38 inches wide and 75 inches long, which is 6 feet 3 inches. It is the smallest standard adult mattress and the default for kids' rooms, bunk beds, daybeds and trundles.
A full, also called a double, measures 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. It is 16 inches wider than a twin with no extra length. For one person that extra width is generous; for two adults it works out to 27 inches each, which is tight for most couples. Our guide to full mattress dimensions covers the numbers in more detail.
A twin is the practical choice for young children, especially if you plan on bunk beds or a trundle for sleepovers. If the room can take it and you would rather buy once, a full lasts from grade school through the teen years.
A full is usually the better long-term buy. Teens are close to adult size, and the extra width makes a real difference. If the teen is already tall, skip both and consider a twin XL, which adds 5 inches of length. Our twin vs twin XL guide explains the trade-off.
Choose a full unless the room is genuinely small. Side sleepers and people who change position during the night appreciate the extra width most.
A full covers the most scenarios: one adult comfortably, or a couple for a night or two. Pick a twin only if the room doubles as an office and floor space is the priority.
A twin costs less upfront, and so do its sheets. But if the sleeper will want more width within a couple of years, buying a full now is often cheaper than buying twice. Our guide to what a twin mattress costs has typical price tiers.
Allow roughly 2 to 3 feet of walking space on at least one long side of the bed and at the foot. Measure doorways and stairwells too. In older Los Angeles apartments and bungalows, narrow hallways sometimes rule out a bulky frame even when the bedroom itself is big enough. We deliver across the LA area, and our delivery team can bring in-stock twins and fulls the same day.
A standard full is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, which is 4.5 feet by 6.25 feet. Mattress depth varies by model, typically somewhere between 8 and 16 inches.
A standard twin is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. A twin XL keeps the same 38-inch width but adds 5 inches of length, for 80 inches total.
75 inches, or 6 feet 3 inches. That is the same length as a full, which is why neither size is ideal for sleepers over about 6 feet tall.
38 inches, just over 3 feet. That is 16 inches narrower than a full and 22 inches narrower than a queen.
They can, but each person gets only 27 inches of width. It works for a guest room or a short stay; most couples prefer a queen for everyday sleeping.
The difference between 38 and 54 inches is easier to feel than to picture. Browse our twin mattresses and full mattresses, take the sleep quiz for firmness guidance, then stop by one of our five Los Angeles showrooms to lie on both. Every mattress comes with our free 120-night comfort guarantee.
Start with a mattress type that suits how you sleep, then compare the feel in person.
Prices for Queen · Choose options for other sizes


Est. $124.84/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $749.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $158.17/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $949.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $146.50/month for 6 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 6 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 6-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $879.00 for one selected item by 6 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $91.63/month for 24 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 24 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 24-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $2,199.00 for one selected item by 24 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
How Synchrony deferred interest works
Est. $92.42/month for 12 months
Item-price payoff target · excludes taxes and fees.
Synchrony · No interest if paid in full within 12 months. Subject to credit approval.
Interest is charged from the purchase date if not paid in full in time. Minimum monthly payments are required and may not repay the balance in time.
This item price meets the 12-month deferred-interest threshold. We use the longest confirmed period available at this price. Avoiding interest requires paying the promotional balance in full before the deadline. Lender fees can affect total cost; this selection does not establish the lowest total borrowing cost.
This illustration divides the displayed price of $1,109.00 for one selected item by 12 months, rounding up to the next cent. It is not the lender’s required payment or billing schedule. Check the promotional deadline on your statement and pay the full promotional balance before it ends.
Taxes, delivery, recycling charges and any lender promotional fees are excluded. Fees may add to the total borrowing cost. Additional discounts can change plan eligibility and the amount financed. Confirm the final purchase amount and applicable terms with the store before arranging financing.
Credit approval, applicable account terms and purchase eligibility apply.
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