Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
Bunk bed mattresses
A bunk bed mattress has to fit the frame and sit at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the bed, so the guard rail stays high enough. Most UK bunk beds take a 90 x 190 cm single.
Read our buying guide- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
What size mattress does a bunk bed take?
Most UK bunk beds take a standard single mattress, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3). Shorty bunks take 75 x 175 cm, some compact bunks take a small single, and European-made bunks often take 90 x 200 cm, so check the instructions or measure inside each bunk.
| Bunk bed | Mattress size | In feet |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bunk | Single, 90 x 190 cm | 3ft x 6ft3 |
| Compact bunk | Small single, 75 x 190 cm | 2ft6 x 6ft3 |
| Shorty bunk | Shorty, 75 x 175 cm | 2ft6 x 5ft9 |
| European-made bunk | European single, 90 x 200 cm | 3ft x 6ft6 |
Measure the inside of the frame, not the old mattress. Mattresses spread a little with age, and a snug fit matters on a child's bed: a gap between the mattress and the frame is somewhere small arms and legs can get stuck. Our shorty mattresses and small single mattresses cover the less common bunk sizes. Triple bunks, and bunks with a trundle drawer underneath, often need a third mattress in a different size or depth, so check each level separately.
How thick should a bunk bed mattress be?
A bunk bed mattress should be no thicker than the maximum mattress line marked on the top bunk. On many bunk beds that works out at 15 to 16 cm, but some allow less, so the line on your own bed is the number that counts.
Bunk beds made to BS EN 747 carry this mark so the guard rail stays at least 16 cm above the top of the mattress. A mattress that's too deep lifts a sleeping child closer to the top of the rail, which defeats the point of having one. Toppers count too: if a topper takes the surface above the line, leave it off the top bunk. Every mattress in our thin mattresses range is 16 cm deep or less.
Do the top and bottom bunks need different mattresses?
Not necessarily, but the top bunk has strict limits and the bottom bunk usually doesn't. Two matching slim mattresses are the simplest way to stay inside them.
| What to check | Top bunk | Bottom bunk |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | At or below the maximum mattress line | Usually more flexible, but deeper means less headroom |
| Weight | Lighter is easier to lift when changing sheets | Matters less |
| Who sleeps there | Children aged 6 and over | Younger children, or adults if the bed's weight limit allows |
What age can a child sleep on the top bunk?
Children can sleep on the top bunk from the age of 6. Bunk beds made to BS EN 747 carry a warning that the upper bed isn't suitable for children under 6, because younger children are more likely to fall or misjudge the ladder.
Younger brothers and sisters can sleep on the bottom bunk. A night light near the ladder helps older children climb down safely in the dark.
Which type of mattress is best for a bunk bed?
The best bunk bed mattress is a slim, supportive one that fits under the line, and foam, pocket sprung and open coil can all do that. Low profile describes the depth, not the feel, so a slim mattress can still be properly supportive.
- Foam: light enough to lift on a top bunk, quiet, and usually arrives rolled. See our foam mattresses.
- Pocket sprung: more airflow and responsive support, good for older children who sleep warm.
- Open coil: the budget option, fine for a bunk that's mostly used for sleepovers.
Whichever you choose, a waterproof mattress protector adds almost no height and saves a lot of washing.
We're parents ourselves, so we know how much rides on getting the top bunk right. If you can't find the line on your bed or aren't sure of the size, send us the make and model and we'll help you work out what fits.
Bunk bed mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Can I use a normal single mattress on a bunk bed?
A normal single mattress usually works on the bottom bunk, as long as it's the right size. On the top bunk it only works if it's no deeper than the maximum mattress line, and many standard singles are 20 cm deep or more, which is too deep for most top bunks.
Do bunk beds come with mattresses?
Most bunk beds are sold without mattresses, though some come as a bundle. If you're buying mattresses separately, match the size to the frame and check the maximum depth for the top bunk, which is marked on the bed and given in the instructions.
Do both bunks need the same mattress?
The two bunks don't need the same mattress, but the top one must be at or below the maximum mattress line. The bottom bunk can take a slightly deeper mattress if the bed allows, though every extra centimetre takes headroom from whoever sits up underneath.
Can I put a mattress topper on a top bunk?
Only if the mattress and topper together stay at or below the maximum mattress line. On most top bunks that rules a topper out. A thin mattress protector is fine, because it adds almost no height to the sleeping surface.
Where is the maximum mattress line on a bunk bed?
The maximum mattress line is usually a sticker or printed mark on the inside of the top bunk's guard rail or end panel, and it's also given in the assembly instructions. If you can't find it, contact the bed's manufacturer before anyone sleeps on the top bunk.
What firmness is best for a bunk bed mattress?
Medium to medium-firm suits most children on a bunk bed, because it supports a growing back without feeling hard. Very soft mattresses can feel unsupportive, especially slim ones, and very firm mattresses can feel hard to lighter children.
What size is a shorty bunk bed mattress?
A shorty bunk bed mattress is 75 x 175 cm (2ft6 x 5ft9), narrower and shorter than a standard single. A single mattress won't fit a shorty frame, so measure inside the bunk if you're not sure which you have.
How often should you replace a bunk bed mattress?
Replace a bunk bed mattress when it starts to sag, develops lumps or you can feel the springs, or if it has been badly stained or damaged. Children's mattresses get heavy use, so check them every year or so. A protector helps them last.
Are bunk bed mattresses fire safe?
Every mattress sold at Mattress Town meets UK fire safety rules (BS 7177). For a bunk bed, the other safety checks are fit and depth: a mattress that fills the frame snugly and sits at or below the maximum mattress line.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.