Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
Kids single mattresses
A kids single mattress is 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), the same as any UK single and the size most children sleep on from about school age. Look for medium to medium-firm support and a cover that's easy to clean.
Read our buying guide
90 x 190 cm drawn to scale
- 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 is a kids single mattress?
A kids single mattress is 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), exactly the same size as an adult single, so it fits any bed made for a standard UK single mattress. The trouble is that several children's sizes look like a single and aren't.
| Size | Width x length | Compared with a single |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3) | The standard |
| European single | 90 x 200 cm (3ft x 6ft6) | Same width, 10 cm longer |
| Short single | 90 x 175 cm (3ft x 5ft9) | Same width, 15 cm shorter |
| Small single | 75 x 190 cm (2ft6 x 6ft3) | 15 cm narrower, same length |
| Shorty | 75 x 175 cm (2ft6 x 5ft9) | 15 cm narrower and 15 cm shorter |
A single won't go into a frame made for any of the smaller sizes, and in a European frame it leaves a 10 cm gap at the foot. If your child's bed was sold as short, compact or European, measure the inside of the frame before you order. Adult singles in the same size are in our single mattresses range.
Foam or pocket sprung: which is better for a child's single?
For a child's single, foam is lighter and quieter, while pocket springs let more air through and feel springier. Both work well for children if the mattress is medium to medium-firm, 5 to 8 on our 1 to 10 scale, and the right depth for the bed.
| What matters | Foam | Pocket sprung |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light, easy to lift and rotate | Heavier |
| Temperature | Memory foam can feel warmer | Air moves between the springs |
| Feel | Reflex foam is springy; memory foam moulds and recovers slowly | Springy and responsive |
| Delivery | Often rolled and boxed | Often flat, as many can't be rolled |
Foam makes sense on a top bunk or high sleeper, where you'll be lifting corners to change the sheets. Pocket springs suit a child who wakes up hot and an older child who has grown heavier. Hybrids, with pocket springs under a foam comfort layer, sit in between. If your child sleeps hot, pocket springs or a hybrid are usually a better choice than memory foam.
What depth of single mattress does a bunk or high sleeper need?
The depth limit for a single mattress on a bunk bed or high sleeper is the maximum mattress line marked on the bed, and on many raised beds that means 15 to 16 cm or less. On an ordinary single bed there's no line, so depth is a matter of comfort.
The line is there so the guard rail stays at least 16 cm above the top of the mattress, as BS EN 747 requires. Measure from the base the mattress sits on up to the line and that's your maximum depth, toppers included. A thin protector is fine. Our bunk bed mattresses and high sleeper and cabin bed mattresses pages go into each kind of raised bed in more detail.
When will my child outgrow a 190 cm single?
A standard 190 cm single suits a child or teenager up to about 175 to 180 cm tall, because a mattress should be about 10 to 15 cm longer than the person sleeping on it. Width is rarely the problem; length is.
Once your child gets close to that height, the extra length has to come from a 200 cm mattress. A European single, 90 x 200 cm, is the same width as a UK single and 10 cm longer, but it needs a bed frame made for that size. Swapping the mattress alone won't work.
How do I make a kids single mattress last?
A kids single mattress stays in good shape for longer with a protector on from the first night and regular rotation. Rotate it head to toe every few weeks for the first three months, then every three months, so it wears evenly, and only flip it if the maker says it's two-sided.
Replace it when it sags, has lumps or your child can feel the springs, whatever their height. As a guide, an adult mattress typically lasts around 7 to 10 years. A waterproof mattress protector keeps spills out, and a waterproof mattress builds that protection into the cover.
For cot bed, shorty and other children's sizes, see our kids mattresses guide. We're a family-run shop, and if you'd like a second opinion on size or depth before you order, the team will answer through our contact page.
Kids single mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Is a kids single mattress the same as an adult single?
Yes, in size. A kids single mattress is 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), the same as an adult single, so the same bed frames and bedding fit both. The difference is the build: kids singles are often lighter and slimmer, with a medium to medium-firm feel chosen for a lighter body.
Should a child's single mattress be firm?
A child's single mattress should be supportive rather than hard: medium to medium-firm suits most children, which is 5 to 8 on our 1 to 10 scale. Very firm mattresses often feel hard to a light child. Go towards medium for a side sleeper, and towards medium-firm for a heavier child or a front sleeper.
What's the best single mattress for a 5 year old?
The best single mattress for a 5 year old is medium to medium-firm, fills the frame without gaps and has a washable cover or a waterproof protector on top. If the single is for a bunk bed, a 5 year old should sleep on the bottom bunk, because under BS EN 747 the upper bed isn't suitable for children under 6.
Can children sleep on memory foam?
Children who have moved into a single bed can sleep on memory foam, provided the mattress is supportive, around medium to medium-firm, rather than soft. A memory foam single is light and quiet, which helps on a high sleeper. It can feel warmer than springs, so a child who wakes hot may do better on pocket springs. We don't recommend memory foam for babies under 12 months.
Is a 15 cm mattress thick enough for a child?
A 15 cm mattress (about 6 inches) is usually thick enough for a child, and it's the depth many bunk beds and high sleepers need. Slim and soft aren't the same thing: a 15 cm mattress can still give a child even, supportive comfort. Older, heavier teenagers on an ordinary bed may prefer a standard depth of 18 to 25 cm.
How do I protect a child's mattress from accidents?
Protect a child's mattress from accidents with a waterproof protector under the fitted sheet, or choose a waterproof mattress with the layer built into its cover. Keep a spare protector and sheet so you can remake the bed at night without waiting for the wash. A removable, washable cover is useful too, and modern waterproof layers are quieter and more breathable than old plastic sheeting.
What bedding fits a kids single mattress?
A kids single mattress takes standard UK single bedding: a fitted sheet for 90 x 190 cm with a pocket deeper than the mattress, and a single duvet, which measures 135 x 200 cm. If your child's bed takes a 90 x 200 cm European single, buy European single sheets, because UK ones will be too short.
Can an adult sleep on a kids single mattress?
An adult can sleep on a kids single mattress for the odd night, because it's the same 90 x 190 cm size as any single. For regular use, an adult, especially a heavier one, usually needs firmer support and more depth than a mattress chosen for a child. Our adult singles come in the same size.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.