Thin mattresses

A thin or low profile mattress is about 10 to 16 cm deep, made for beds that need a slim mattress: bunks, high sleepers, cabin beds, trundles, day beds and folding guest beds. Every mattress here is 16 cm deep or less.

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What is a low profile mattress?

A low profile mattress is a thin mattress, about 10 to 16 cm deep, compared with about 18 to 25 cm for a standard mattress and 25 cm or more for a deep one. The term describes depth only; it tells you nothing about how firm the mattress is.

Depth Typical range Usually for
Low profile About 10 to 16 cm Bunks, high sleepers, cabin beds, trundles, day beds, folding beds
Standard About 18 to 25 cm Everyday beds on a frame or divan
Deep 25 cm and over More comfort layers, heavier sleepers

Support comes from what's inside a mattress, not from its depth alone. A well-made 15 cm mattress (about 6 inches) can still give firm, even support, and every mattress page shows its firmness on our 1 to 10 scale, so you can compare a slim mattress with a deeper one on the same terms.

Is a 15 cm mattress thick enough?

A 15 cm mattress is thick enough for most children and for guests staying a night or two, but most adults who sleep on one every night prefer more depth.

It comes down to weight. Children and lighter adults don't sink far into a mattress, so 15 cm gives them plenty to rest on. Heavier people press further in and usually need a deeper mattress with stronger support, so a slim one may not be enough for them night after night.

That's why a 15 cm mattress usually suits a child's bunk or high sleeper, where a deeper one often isn't allowed anyway, while an adult sleeping on a day bed every night may want something deeper, if the bed allows it.

Which beds need a thin mattress?

Bunk beds, high sleepers, mid sleepers and cabin beds need a mattress at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the bed, and trundle drawers need one slim enough to close. Day beds and folding guest beds also work best with a thin mattress.

Bed What limits the depth Typical limit
Bunk, high sleeper, mid sleeper or cabin bed The maximum mattress line on the bed Many take up to 15 to 16 cm
Trundle drawer The drawer has to close with the mattress inside Often 10 to 15 cm
Day bed or folding guest bed Seat height, or the frame folding up See the bed maker's guidance

Most of these beds take a single (90 x 190 cm), and trundles usually take a single or small single, so a thin single mattress, sometimes sold as a slim single, is the size most often needed.

On a raised bed, measure from the top of the slats to the line: that's the deepest mattress you can use. Under BS EN 747 the line keeps the guard rail at least 16 cm above the top of the mattress, and a topper counts towards the depth just as the mattress does. Our bunk bed mattresses and high sleeper and cabin bed mattresses pages explain the line in detail. For a trundle, measure from the base of the drawer to the underside of the main bed, then see our trundle mattresses.

How do I choose a thin mattress?

Choose a thin mattress for the bed first and the sleeper second: the depth has to fit, then the build and firmness should suit whoever sleeps on it.

  • Top bunks and high sleepers: a light foam mattress is easier to lift when you change the sheets, and foam can usually be rolled for delivery.
  • Children who sleep warm: slim pocket sprung mattresses let air move through the springs.
  • Trundles: a mattress that lives in a drawer should come out for an airing now and then.
  • Day beds: firmer edges cope better with people sitting on them; our day bed mattresses page has more.
  • Sleepovers and guests: folding mattresses fold away into a cupboard between visits.

Whatever the bed, check each mattress's depth against your own measurements before you order. If you can't find the maximum mattress line or aren't sure what your trundle will take, ask us through our contact page.

Written by the Mattress Town team. Last updated .

Thin mattresses: your questions answered

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What is the thinnest mattress you can buy?

Low profile mattresses start at about 10 cm deep, and the slimmest tend to be made for trundle drawers and folding beds, where space is tightest. Thinner isn't better in itself: on a bunk or high sleeper, the right mattress is one that fits the frame and stays at or below the maximum mattress line.

What depth should a mattress be?

A standard mattress is about 18 to 25 cm deep, the usual depth for an adult's everyday bed. Low profile mattresses, about 10 to 16 cm, are for bunks, high sleepers, trundles and day beds, and deep mattresses, 25 cm and over, often suit heavier sleepers. On a raised bed, the line marked on the bed decides.

Are thin mattresses comfortable?

Thin mattresses can be very comfortable, especially for children and lighter adults, because comfort depends on the build and firmness as well as the depth. Heavier people press further into a mattress, so they're more likely to find a thin one lacking. Check the 1 to 10 firmness rating on each mattress page.

Which thin mattress is best for a bunk bed?

The best thin mattress for a bunk bed fits the frame exactly and sits at or below the maximum mattress line, which on many bunks means 15 to 16 cm or less. A light foam mattress is easiest to manage on a top bunk, while a slim pocket sprung one breathes better for children who sleep warm.

Can an adult sleep on a thin mattress every night?

An adult can sleep on a thin mattress every night, and some do on day beds and high sleepers, but most adults prefer more depth for everyday use. Heavier adults usually need a deeper mattress with stronger support. A 15 cm mattress works best for children, lighter sleepers and occasional guests.

Is a 6 inch mattress the same as 15 cm?

A 6 inch mattress is about the same as a 15 cm one: 15 cm is roughly 6 inches. On a bunk or high sleeper, go by the exact centimetre depth and the maximum mattress line on the bed rather than the rounded figure, because a few millimetres can matter when the limit is tight.

Can I put a topper on a thin mattress?

A topper can make a thin mattress feel softer on a day bed or a guest bed that isn't raised, but it can't fix a sagging mattress. On a bunk, high sleeper or cabin bed, the topper counts towards the depth, so only use one if the total stays at or below the maximum mattress line.

How do I find out how thick a mattress my bed can take?

For a bunk, high sleeper or cabin bed, measure from the top of the slats to the maximum mattress line marked on the frame. For a trundle, measure from the base of the drawer to the underside of the main bed. For a day bed or folding bed, check the maker's instructions.

Not sure which mattress?

Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.

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