---
title: "UK vs EU Bed Sizes"
description: "How UK and EU (including IKEA) mattress sizes differ in centimetres, with plain rules for frames and sheets."
url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/sizing/uk-vs-eu-sizes/"
category: "sizing"
primary_entity: "UK versus EU mattress sizes"
date_published: 2026-08-03
date_modified: 2026-08-28
---

# UK vs EU Bed Sizes

> UK and EU mattress sizes share names but not footprints. A UK Double is typically 135 × 190 cm. A common EU or IKEA Double is 140 × 200 cm. A UK King at 150 × 200 cm is narrower than many EU King sizes near 160 × 200 cm. Always compare centimetres, never size names alone.

## Dimensions

| Size name | Width (cm) | Length (cm) | Width (in) | Length (in) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UK Double (Domestic UK standard) | 135 | 190 | — | — |
| EU / IKEA Double (common) (Often labelled 140cm) | 140 | 200 | — | — |
| UK King (Domestic UK standard) | 150 | 200 | — | — |
| EU King (common) (Continental retail common size) | 160 | 200 | — | — |

Key facts:

- UK Double (cm): 135 × 190 — Domestic UK retail name.
- Common EU / IKEA Double (cm): 140 × 200 — Same word. Different plan.
- UK King (cm): 150 × 200 — Not a 160 cm continental King.
- Common EU King (cm): 160 × 200 — About 5 cm extra each side versus a UK King frame.

Sources:

- [IKEA UK mattress size guide](https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/rooms/bedroom/mattress-size-guide-pub63d34391/) — Confirms IKEA UK lists both UK standard sizes and extra 80 × 200, 90 × 200 and 140 × 200 lines. Checked 2026-08-28.
- [National Bed Federation — regulations and standards](https://www.bedfed.org.uk/resources/regulations-standards/) — No legal UK size-tolerance Act. Industry practice is ±20 mm on a stated pair, which does not turn 150 cm into 160 cm. Checked 2026-08-28.

## Do UK and EU beds use the same size names?

They use the same words. They do not use the same centimetres. A UK Double is typically 135 × 190 cm. A common EU or IKEA Double is 140 × 200 cm. A UK King is 150 × 200 cm. A common EU King is 160 × 200 cm. Never pair a name on a UK ticket with a name on a continental ticket.

The table on this page is the pairing BedGuide uses (checked August 2026 against common UK and continental retail listings). Individual brands can still print a different millimetre. The centimetre line on the product wins.

## What happens if I put a UK mattress on an EU frame?

You get gaps or overhang. A UK Double (135 cm) on a 140 cm EU frame leaves about 2.5 cm each side. The mattress can walk. A UK King (150 cm) on a 160 cm EU frame leaves about 5 cm each side. An EU King (160 cm) on a UK King frame (150 cm) overhangs by about 5 cm each side.

Length mismatches matter too. UK Double is usually 190 cm long. Many EU doubles are 200 cm. Sheets and footboards will not agree.

## Can I mix IKEA frames with a UK mattress?

Only if the centimetres match, or you accept a planned gap. Many IKEA mattresses in the UK use 90 × 200, 140 × 200 and 160 × 200. Those are continental numbers. They are not UK Single 90 × 190, UK Double 135 × 190, or UK King 150 × 200.

A 90 × 200 IKEA mattress is 10 cm longer than a UK Single. It will not sit like a UK Single on a UK 190 cm frame. Read both labels in centimetres.

## Which sheets should I buy?

Match the mattress centimetres, not the bedstead’s marketing name. A “King” fitted sheet from a UK shop is cut for about 150 × 200 cm. It will be short on width for a 160 cm EU mattress. Depth is a third measurement — see [mattress depth](/sizing/mattress-depth-guide) and [UK fitted sheet sizes](/sizing/uk-fitted-sheet-sizes).

## What about EU Single and Super King names?

A UK Single is 90 × 190 cm. Many EU singles are 90 × 200 cm — same width, extra length. A UK Super King is 180 × 200 cm. Continental “180 × 200” listings can match that plan size even when the local name is not “Super King”. Again: read centimetres.

Some EU shops also sell 100 × 200 and 120 × 200. Those are not UK Small Double (120 × 190) or UK Single. A 120 × 200 mattress is 10 cm longer than a UK Small Double. Sheets and footboards will show it.

If you only need the UK table, stay on [UK standard sizes](/sizing/uk-standard-bed-sizes). Use this page when two tickets from two countries are about to meet in one bedroom.

## Which IKEA UK lines match a UK retail name?

IKEA UK is a mixed catalogue. Its own mattress size guide (checked 28 August 2026) lists standard UK sizes and extra centimetre lines. Same shop. Different plans.

| IKEA UK label (from their guide) | Centimetres | Same as a UK retail name? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Single (UK) | 90 × 190 | Yes — UK Single |
| Standard Double (UK) | 135 × 190 | Yes — UK Double |
| Standard King (UK) | 150 × 200 | Yes — UK King |
| Super King | 180 × 200 | Yes — UK Super King |
| Small Double | 120 × 190 | Yes — UK Small Double |
| Junior / many bunk and loft lines | 90 × 200 | No — 10 cm longer than UK Single |
| Day beds and some children’s extendable beds | 80 × 200 | No — not a UK Small Single |
| Sofa beds (their pairing table) | 140 × 200 | No — EU-style Double, not 135 × 190 |

If the IKEA page only shows a name, open the centimetre line. A 90 × 200 mattress will not sit like a UK Single on a 190 cm UK frame.

## What about US sizes in the same room?

US Twin, Full, Queen, King and California King are a third system. They do not map cleanly onto UK or EU names. If anything in the room came from North America, open [US mattress sizes](/sizing/us-mattress-sizes) and [US Queen vs UK King](/compare/us-queen-vs-uk-king) as well.

A US Queen is about 152 × 203 cm. That is close to a UK King of 150 × 200 cm and still not a match you should guess. Sheets and frames will show the miss.

## What linen fails first when you mix systems?

Fitted sheets fail first. A UK King sheet is cut for about 150 × 200 cm. On a 160 × 200 cm mattress the elastic sits short on width. A UK Double sheet (135 × 190) on a 140 × 200 mattress is short on length. Duvets fail next, because overhang is part of the cut. Pillows do not change with region names. Depth is a third measurement — see [fitted sheets](/sizing/uk-fitted-sheet-sizes).

| Mix | Typical result |
| --- | --- |
| UK Double mattress on 140 cm EU frame | About 2.5 cm gap each side; mattress can walk |
| UK King mattress on 160 cm EU frame | About 5 cm gap each side |
| EU King mattress on UK King frame | About 5 cm overhang each side |
| UK Double sheets on 140 × 200 mattress | Short on length; corners pop |
| UK King duvet on 160 cm mattress | Can look skimpy on width |

In short: write three centimetre pairs before you pay — mattress, frame, sheets.

## Are the gaps “close enough” within UK making spread?

No. The National Bed Federation says there is no legal UK size-tolerance Act. Accepted industry practice is plus or minus 20 mm on a stated pair. That note was checked on 28 August 2026.

Twenty millimetres can explain a 149 cm “King”. It cannot explain a 160 cm continental King. Those are different regional sizes. Do not treat a 10 cm miss as ordinary making spread.

## Quick pairing rules

1. Never assume a name match means a centimetre match.
2. Prefer buying mattress, base and sheets from the same regional size system.
3. If you mix, write the three centimetre pairs down before you pay.
4. For the UK-only table, use [UK standard sizes](/sizing/uk-standard-bed-sizes).
5. For a Double-only showdown, see [UK Double vs EU Double](/compare/uk-double-vs-eu-double).

In short: the word “King” is a nickname. The centimetre pair is the fact.

## Related BedGuide entries

- [UK standard sizes](/sizing/uk-standard-bed-sizes)
- [US mattress sizes](/sizing/us-mattress-sizes)
- [UK Double vs EU Double](/compare/uk-double-vs-eu-double)
- [US Queen vs UK King](/compare/us-queen-vs-uk-king)
- [Open data CSV](/open-data)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a UK Double mattress fit an IKEA 140 cm bed frame?

A UK Double mattress is typically 135 cm wide, so it can sit on a 140 cm European frame with side gaps of about 2.5 cm each side. Those gaps may let the mattress shift unless a retainer, non-slip pad, or correctly sized European mattress is used.

### Why do UK and EU King mattresses not interchange cleanly?

A UK King mattress is usually 150 × 200 cm. Many EU King mattresses are 160 × 200 cm. The 10 cm width difference means a UK King leaves gaps on a 160 cm European base, and an EU King overhangs a 150 cm UK frame.

### Are IKEA bed sizes EU sizes?

IKEA UK sells standard UK sizes and extra centimetre lines. Their guide lists UK Single 90 × 190 and also 90 × 200, 80 × 200 and 140 × 200 products. Read the centimetre line. Do not trust the shop name alone.

### What sheets fit a 140 × 200 IKEA sofa-bed mattress?

A UK Double sheet cut for 135 × 190 cm will be short on length and a little tight on width. Use a sheet sold for 140 × 200 cm, or measure both plan size and pocket depth before you buy.

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Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/sizing/uk-vs-eu-sizes/ · BedGuide — educational encyclopedia, no affiliate commission. Facts checked against official sources where possible; see https://bedguide.co.uk/editorial-policy. Report an error: https://bedguide.co.uk/corrections.