A shorty mattress is 75 x 175 cm. That's 15 cm narrower and 15 cm shorter than a standard UK single, and it's the size fitted to shorty beds, shorty bunks and shorty mid sleepers.
It sounds like a small difference and it isn't. In a box room, 15 cm off the length of the bed is often what decides whether the room works.
Shorty mattress size
Size
Metric
Imperial
Shorty
75 x 175 cm
2 ft 6 x 5 ft 9
Small single
75 x 190 cm
2 ft 6 x 6 ft 3
Single
90 x 190 cm
3 ft x 6 ft 3
A shorty mattress is a 75 x 175 cm size mattress made for shorty bed frames, and it is not the same as a small single or standard single. Also called a short mattress or a shortie, it is usually bought for younger children’s beds in smaller UK bedrooms, where a standard single takes up too much space.
The mistake to avoid: a shorty bed needs a shorty mattress for the perfect fit. A standard single is 15 cm too long and 15 cm too wide, so it won't fit. A small single is the right width but still 15 cm too long.
That sizing difference matters most when you're purchasing for bunk beds, cabin beds, high sleepers or trundle beds, because the wrong length or mattress depth can affect both fit and safety. If you're comparing options, this guide explains shorty mattress dimensions, how shorty sizes differ from small single and single, what mattress depth suits raised or pull-out beds, and what firmness to look for for younger children. Measure the internal dimensions of your bed frame if you're not certain, because "single" covers three different sizes in British bedding and only one of them fits a shorty frame.
Our shorty mattresses for space-saving comfort
All four are made in the UK and arrive vacuum packed and rolled.
TrundleEase 10 — Shorty
Built at 10 cm for trundles and pull-out beds, so it clears the frame above when it slides away. A standard mattress won't fit a trundle regardless of length.
British Made High-Density Shorty Mattress
High-density foam, firm and hard-wearing. Good for a younger child and for beds that get occasional use.
ComfortSleep 15 — Shorty
Reflex foam at 15 cm, so it works on a shorty bunk or mid sleeper where the guard rail depth limit applies. Firm, supportive and the lightest in the range, which matters when you're rotating it or lifting it onto a top bunk.
MemoryDream 15 — Shorty
Memory foam over a reflex base at 15 cm. Contours to the body and stays quiet, which matters on a shorty bunk where someone sleeps below.
Note on PocketRest 15: our pocket sprung mattress isn't available in shorty. If you want springs in a shorty size, the High-Density Shorty is the firmer option.
Which depth?
Bed Type
Suitable Mattress Depth
Shorty bed, no guard rails
Any
Shorty bunk or mid sleeper with rails
15 cm maximum
Shorty trundle or pull-out
Around 10 cm
On any bed with guard rails, depth is a safety figure rather than a preference. Rails are designed to sit a set height above the mattress surface, and a deeper mattress reduces that clearance. The exact maximum is on your bed's product page.
Shorty mattresses typically range from 10 cm to 20 cm thick, and some eco-friendly options use breathable materials. They are also designed as a compact size option for compact shorty mattresses in tight spaces such as caravans, a bedroom with limited space, smaller bedrooms, and low-profile mobile homes where every bit of space counts.
Some customers need a custom short mattress for an odd size or reduced length bed, especially with non standard bed frames or an unusual shape, and the features can be adjusted to suit the space.
For daily use, high quality materials, good support and durability matter, and it is also worth checking delivery and service in the UK.
Buying for a bunk, high sleeper or mid sleeper in a standard single size rather than shorty? See our bunk bed mattress range, built at 15 cm in every size.
Looking for shorty bed frames rather than a mattress?
Shorty beds, shorty bunks, shorty mid sleepers and shorty daybeds are all in a separate collection. Shorty mattress options come in a range of depths, but for elevated beds you should check the safety limit first, especially in space-saving layouts and children's rooms.
Browse shorty beds →
Thinner shorty variants are often the perfect choice for raised sleeping areas because they help maintain proper safety-rail clearance on elevated beds. Some bunk beds set a 16 cm maximum thickness, and the exact allowed depth is always shown on the specific bed product page.
Firmness and memory foam options for a shorty mattress
Shorty beds are an ideal space-saving choice for children's rooms, usually bought for younger children, and firmer is the safer choice at that age, not softer. A mattress that gives too much lets the hips sink and the spine curve, and it isn't as suitable for a body that's still developing.
Medium to medium-firm suits most children, with firmness options that work for different preferences. Their compact dimensions leave more room in small bedrooms and can free up floor space for play areas. The High-Density Shorty and ComfortSleep 15 are the firmer options; MemoryDream 15 has more give.
Shorty Mattresses: Common Questions
What size is a shorty mattress?
75 x 175 cm, or 2 ft 6 x 5 ft 9.
Is a shorty mattress the same as a small single?
No. Both are 75 cm wide, but a shorty is 175 cm long and a small single is 190 cm. A small single won't fit a shorty frame.
Will a standard single mattress fit a shorty bed?
No. A standard single is 90 x 190 cm, which is 15 cm too wide and 15 cm too long.
What age is a shorty bed for?
Shorty beds are suitable for children until they get close to 165 cm tall, which for most is somewhere around eight or nine. Once there's less than 10 cm between the top of their head and the end of the mattress, you've roughly a year left in it. Adults may find their feet hang over the edge, so it is usually only practical where length matters more than comfort, though adults up to 5'7" may still find one more usable than taller sleepers.
What depth shorty mattress do I need?
On a shorty bed with no guard rails, any depth. On a shorty bunk or mid sleeper with rails, 15 cm maximum. On a trundle, around 10 cm.
Do you have a pocket sprung shorty mattress?
Not currently. PocketRest 15 starts at standard single, and the range goes up to double. The High-Density Shorty is our firmer shorty option.
What's the best shorty mattress for a child?
Medium to medium-firm is best for most children, though comfort preference, weight, sleep position and frame type can still affect the right choice. ComfortSleep 15 for most children, MemoryDream 15 if they prefer a softer feel, the High-Density Shorty for a firmer option, and TrundleEase 10 if it's going on a pull-out, so there are different firmness options across the range.
Is a shorty mattress worth it, or should I go straight to a single?
If the room takes a standard single, go straight to it and save yourself a purchase. A shorty is for rooms where a 190 cm bed genuinely doesn't fit, such as a tight bedroom, children's rooms, or other layouts with limited space where saving floor space gives you more room. If you need a custom size, some retailers such as Starlight Beds offer it at a great price, so you may pay no more than standard sizes and accessories can be covered.
Not sure which size you need? See our kids' bed size guide, or browse the full kids' mattress range.
