With all of the mattress sizes out there, you might be surprised to learn there’s one you may have not heard of before: the twin XL mattress. These under-the-radar mattresses are ideal for some specific scenarios, including taller kids and teens and also college students living in dorms. But they can be used in a variety of ways.
Interior designer Phillip Thomas says twin XL mattresses are actually a go-to of his on projects. “Perhaps it is just in my imagination, but I find that every generation seems to be getting taller and taller,” he says. “The extra 5 inches of length provided by a twin XL bed offers more comfort to people as they sleep.”
So, what are the dimensions of a twin XL mattress? Ahead, we’ll share those twin XL bed size dimensions, along with key considerations as well.
Twin XL bed dimensions
What are the dimensions of a twin XL mattress? The dimensions of a twin XL mattress are 38 inches wide by 80 inches long. As mentioned, this mattress size is geared toward tall kids and teens and also college students.
Thomas has another smart way to put twin XL mattresses to work: “I particularly love to use these mattresses in guest bedrooms where guests might be sharing a room but not necessarily sharing a bed,” he says.
Comparing twin XL bed size measurements
The twin XL bed size certainly has a number of other mattress sizes within its family, such as twin, full, queen, and more. Here, this handy chart will show you how all these sizes differ from one another.
Mattress Size Dimensions Twin 38 x 75 in Twin XL 38 x 80 in Full 54 x 75 in Queen 60 x 80 in King 76 x 80 in California King 72 x 84 in Split King 76 x 80 in (two twin XLs)
Deciding if a twin XL mattress is right for you
If you’re thinking through twin XL bed size dimensions to determine whether this size is right for your specific situation, it’s important to weigh some key considerations.
In order to decide whether a twin XL mattress is a good option for your household, consider the following:
- Who’s sleeping in the bed?
- Desired comfort level
- Your room size
- Your body size
- Your budget
- Temperature
- Motion isolation
Who’s sleeping in the bed?
Consider who’ll be primarily using this bed: your tall child or teen, your college student, or a guest or two staying the night. “If you are so inclined, you can combine two twin XL mattresses to create a single king-size bed should your guest wish to share a bed,” notes Thomas.
Your room size
“Space is always a consideration,” Thomas says. “I always measure twice to ensure that a mattress will not limit the circulation around a space.”
Those additional 5 inches of a twin XL mattress can certainly make a difference, he adds, which is why it’s essential to measure in an especially small room.
Linens and bedding
“Another consideration is linens and bedding for twin XL mattresses,” Thomas shares. “It can be a challenge to find bedding made specifically for twin XL mattresses.”
Often, the options can be limited—so you have to be prepared to be more open-minded about what you’re willing to use for beds of this size, he explains.
“There is always custom sheeting, but that can often be expensive and not an expense that clients are willing to shoulder, particularly for a child’s room,” he says.
Twin XL mattress dimensions vs. other mattress sizes
Here’s how the twin XL compares to other mattress sizes on the market.
Twin XL vs. twin
The dimensions of a twin XL mattress are 38 inches wide by 80 inches long, while the dimensions of a traditional twin mattress are 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. That extra 5 inches can make a big difference for tall individuals.
Twin XL vs. full
Need more width but not as much length? Then a full mattress, coming in 54 inches wide by 75 inches long, might be a better option, particularly when compared to the 38 by 80 inch twin XL mattress.
Twin XL vs. queen
Even though a queen mattress is just as long as a twin XL mattress at 80 inches, they differ quite a bit when it comes to width. A queen is 60 inches wide while a twin XL is just 38 inches wide.
Twin XL vs. king
A king mattress and a twin XL mattress also share the same lengths at 80 inches each. But as for width, the king wins this one out, with almost an additional 40 inches in width.
Twin XL vs. California king
A California king mattress is much wider and longer than a twin XL mattress, coming in at 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.
Twin XL vs. split king
A split king is actually made up of two twin XL mattresses. If you place two twin XLs together, the dimensions come out to 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, effectively creating a king-size mattress.
Twin XL bed dimensions FAQs
How large is a twin XL bed?
The dimensions of a twin XL bed are 38 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Is a twin XL the same as a full?
No, it’s not. A full mattress measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long, while the twin XL is 38 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Do two twin XLs make a California king?
No, they don’t. Two twin XL mattresses make a king-size mattress (76 inches wide by 80 inches long), which isn’t the same as a California king. A California king measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.
Do full sheets fit a twin XL?
Full sheets won’t properly fit a twin XL mattress since the dimensions of those are 54 inches wide by 75 inches long—they’re wider than twin XL sheets and also they’re not long enough.
Why are twin XLs so expensive?
Since you rarely hear about twin XL mattresses, the demand isn’t as high—which can drive up cost. And since they can be used with adjustable bases, this can make the overall cost higher.
Find the best twin XL mattress for you at Saatva
Saatva offers a wide range of twin XL mattresses. For instance, our
Our dual-sided nontoxic crib mattress for little ones
and
The first luxury mattress designed just for bunk & trundle beds
mattresses are great options for growing kids. Additionally, each mattress comes with a 365-night home trial, free white glove delivery, and lifetime warranty.