Single Mattresses

(15 products )

A single mattress is 90 x 190 cm. It's the most common mattress size in Britain, the size most children move into around age six, and the one that fits single beds, bunk beds, high sleepers, cabin beds, and day beds.

As a UK kids' bed specialist, single is the size we sell more of than any other. Our range covers depths from 10 cm to 28 cm, and which depth you need depends entirely on the bed it's going on.

Kids Single Mattress Size: 90 x 190 cm

Written as

Means

90 x 190 cm

90 cm wide, 190 cm long

190 x 90 cm

The same thing, length first

3ft x 6ft3

The imperial equivalent

UK single

The standard British single

All four describe the same mattress. If you've measured a bed frame and got 90 by 190, this is your size.

Sizes close to it, and how to tell them apart

Size

Dimensions

Difference

Shorty

75 x 175 cm

15 cm narrower, 15 cm shorter

Small single

75 x 190 cm

15 cm narrower, same length

Single

90 x 190 cm

Standard size

Continental single

90 x 200 cm

Same width, 10 cm longer

Continental is the one that catches people out. European and Scandinavian bed frames are often 200 cm long, and a 190 cm mattress leaves a 10 cm gap at the end. Uncomfortable on any bed, and an entrapment risk on a raised one.

Measure the internal dimensions of the frame where the mattress sits, not the outside. Every bed we sell states the mattress size it needs on its product page.

For shorter beds see shorty mattresses at 75 x 175 cm, and for wider see small double at 120 x 190 cm.

What a single mattress fits

On any bed with guard rails, depth is a safety figure rather than a comfort preference. Rails are designed to sit a set height above the mattress surface, and a deeper mattress reduces that clearance. Most single mattresses on the high street are 20 cm or more.

Buying for a bunk, high sleeper or trundle specifically? Everything in our bunk bed mattress range is built to the right depth.

Single mattresses for children

For growing children on a normal bed frame.

ComfortSleep 15

Reflex foam. Firm and supportive, and the most affordable in the range. The one most families start with.

MemoryDream 15

A memory foam mattress over a reflex base. Contours to the body and stays quiet, which suits a restless sleeper.

PocketRest 15

A pocket spring mattress, so more airflow, and it helps support healthy spine alignment for growing bodies. The choice for a child who sleeps hot.

Guardian Orthopaedic Sprung Mattress

Firmer sprung support in the traditional orthopaedic style.

Florence Memory Sprung Mattress

Springs with a memory foam layer over the top.

Pippa Pocket Sprung Mattress

Individually pocketed springs for more targeted support, with robust construction and edge support for durability and great support.

Single mattresses for teenagers

Requirements change from about thirteen. A heavier, taller body benefits from more depth, and as body weight increases the right support matters more through the teen years than it does for a seven-year-old. High-quality construction matters more too, because the mattress has to cope with greater weight and longer use.

Provided the bed has no guard rails, go deeper. It's one of the genuine advantages of moving a teenager to a floor-level bed.

MemoryTeen 18

Deeper memory foam, built specifically for a teenage body. Our most popular teenage mattress.

QuiltRest 23: quilted, 23 cm

OrthoSupport 24: firmer orthopaedic support, 24 cm

MemorySupport 25: memory foam, 25 cm

PocketBalance 26: pocket sprung, 26 cm

NaturalLoft 27: natural fillings, 27 cm

VitalRest 28: our deepest, 28 cm

One thing to check on a tall teenager. A 190 cm mattress comfortably suits someone up to about 180 cm. Beyond that, a continental single at 90 x 200 cm gives 10 cm more length for no extra width. Worth doing before the child grows and outgrows the bed rather than after, to avoid another early replacement.

The deeper mattresses above are the same specification as adult mattresses, just in a single size for older children and teens. They suit an older teenager moving up from a children's mattress, a spare room, or an adult in a single bed, so there's no need to look elsewhere once a child outgrows the 15 cm range.

Single mattresses for guest rooms, sleepovers, and bunk beds

For a bed that gets used occasionally rather than nightly, there's little point paying for depth nobody will notice.

ComfortSleep 15 is the sensible choice: firm, supportive and the best value in the range. It's also the lightest, which matters more than people expect. A lighter mattress is easier to rotate every few months, easier to strip and remake, and considerably easier to get onto a top bunk or into a loft room.

For a trundle or pull-out, TrundleEase 10 is the only one that fits, since it's built at 10 cm to clear the frame above. Note that it's a full-size 90 x 190 cm mattress; only the depth is reduced.

Firm, medium or soft?

  • Firm: younger children, and anyone who prefers support over give. In our range: ComfortSleep 15, Guardian Orthopaedic, OrthoSupport 24.
  • Medium-firm: most children and teenagers. In our range: MemoryDream 15, PocketRest 15, MemoryTeen 18.
  • Medium: older teenagers and adults, depending on comfort preference. In our range: QuiltRest 23, MemorySupport 25, PocketBalance 26.

For a growing child, firmer is the safer choice, not softer. A firmer mattress usually gives growing bodies enough support and helps maintain proper spinal alignment, but side sleepers can need slightly more cushioning for pressure relief, while back and stomach sleepers usually need more support for proper spinal alignment. A mattress that gives too much lets the hips sink and the spine curve, and it doesn't support a body that's still developing. Too firm creates pressure points at the shoulder and hip, so medium to medium-firm is the sensible middle.

The old advice about very hard mattresses, or putting a board underneath, has long been superseded. Supportive is the aim, not hard, so the right mattress should balance comfort with alignment rather than simply feeling firmest.

Which type? Memory foam mattresses and more

Type

Feel

Best for

Reflex foam

Firm, supportive

Younger children, guest beds, tighter budgets

Memory foam

Contouring, quiet

A memory foam mattress can suit older children and teenagers, but breathability matters because foam can sleep warmer.

Pocket sprung

Targeted support, pressure relief

A pocket spring mattress suits restless sleepers and children who need more responsive support through the night.

Open coil

Firmer, more affordable

Occasional and guest use

Orthopaedic

Extra firm

Where firmer support is wanted

Natural fillings

Made with breathable materials for better temperature regulation and temperature regulation support

Sensitive sleepers, all-year comfort

Pocket spring and e-pocket styles move more independently than open coil, so they follow body shape more closely.

Browse by type: pocket sprung, memory foam, open coil.

Allergies

If your child has asthma, eczema or a dust mite allergy, what you can wash matters more than the mattress material. For sensitive children, a removable, washable cover makes everyday cleaning easier. Most allergens accumulate in the top few centimetres, so a machine-washable protector with a waterproof surface does more than anything else.

Beyond that, breathability helps: a mattress that moves moisture away rather than holding it stays fresher between washes, and pocket sprung constructions allow more airflow than solid foam. Pocket spring and e-pocket styles also tend to follow body shape more closely, which is often preferred for growing children. Some children's mattresses use natural fillings such as wool and cotton.

See the Bamboo Mattress Protector, which has a soft bamboo and cotton top over a thin waterproof layer.

When to replace it

Children's mattresses typically last five to seven years, but most get replaced for a different reason than wear. Babies and toddlers in cot beds need a firm, flat mattress, whereas this guide is about the single size used later on.

  • They've outgrown the size. 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.
  • A dip that doesn't recover within a minute or two of getting up.
  • Springs you can feel through the surface.
  • Staining or a smell that survives a proper clean, especially after spills and accidents; a waterproof cover helps protect the mattress.
  • They say it's uncomfortable. Children rarely complain about a bed unless something's genuinely wrong with it.

When replacing a child's mattress, check it meets UK fire safety rules: look for BS 7177 on the label.

More in our guide to how often to change a mattress.

Making it last

  • Use a protector from day one. A waterproof, machine-washable mattress cover or protector helps guard against spills and accidents and helps a child sleep comfortably on a fresher surface.
  • Rotate head to toe every three months. Most children's mattresses are single-sided, so rotate rather than flip unless the label says otherwise.
  • Vacuum monthly with the upholstery attachment.
  • Air it regularly. Pull the bedding back for an hour before making the bed.
  • Check the bed base. A broken slat or sagging base ruins a new mattress within months, and it's often the real cause when one seems to have failed early.
  • Allow 24 to 48 hours for a rolled mattress to fully expand. Most mattresses also last longer when the base gives even support across the full surface.

Single Mattresses: Common Questions

What size is a single mattress?

90 x 190 cm, or 3ft x 6ft3. Also written as 190 x 90 cm.

Is 90 x 190 cm a UK single?

Yes, it's the standard UK single mattress size.

Is 90 x 190 the same as 90 x 200?

No. 90 x 200 cm is a continental single, 10 cm longer. A 190 cm mattress in a 200 cm frame leaves a gap at the end.

What's the difference between a single and a small single?

Width. A single is 90 cm, a small single is 75 cm. Both are 190 cm long.

What's the best single mattress for a child?

The best mattress depends on the child's age, sleeping habits, and whether they need cooler airflow or more contouring support. ComfortSleep 15 suits a younger child, MemoryDream 15 works well for one who likes a closer feel, and PocketRest 15 is a good choice for a warmer sleeper.

What's the best single mattress for a teenager?

Something deeper, provided the bed has no guard rails. MemoryTeen 18 is built for a teenage body, and the full depth range goes to 28 cm.

How firm should a child's mattress be?

Medium to medium-firm for most children. The right firmness also depends on sleeping position and body weight, but firmer is the safer error because a mattress that's too soft doesn't support a developing spine.

What depth single mattress do I need?

On a normal bed frame, whatever's comfortable. On a bunk, high sleeper, mid sleeper or cabin bed with guard rails, 15 or 16 cm maximum. On a trundle, around 10 cm.

Do you have a firm 90 x 190 mattress?

Yes. ComfortSleep 15 in reflex foam, Guardian Orthopaedic in springs, and OrthoSupport 24 for a deeper firm option.

Do you have a soft 90 x 190 mattress?

Our softer options are the deeper memory foam ones, MemorySupport 25 and QuiltRest 23. For a child we'd suggest medium-firm rather than soft.

Will a single mattress fit a bunk bed?

The size will. Check the depth: most bunks take a maximum of 15 or 16 cm. See our bunk bed mattresses.

Is memory foam suitable for children?

Yes, on a bed appropriate for their age. Memory foam gives more contouring, while pocket spring designs usually allow better airflow.

How do I measure for a mattress?

Measure the internal dimensions of the bed frame where the mattress sits, not the outside of the frame. If it comes to 90 by 190, this is your size.

How long does a children's single mattress last?

Around 8 to 10 years with proper care, though many parents replace it when buying a new bed with enough room to last into the teen years rather than because the mattress has worn out.

What should I look for in the right kids mattress?

Start with safe depth for the bed, then look at support, temperature control and materials that suit your child. The right kids mattress should help them settle comfortably, support a child's growth, and get a good night's sleep. Sweet dreams.

Browse the full kids' mattress range, or read the kids' mattress guide for every size and depth.