Last updated: November 2026
A UK double bed is 135cm wide and 190cm long (4ft 6in x 6ft 3in). It's the most common bed size in the UK and the default for couples in average-sized bedrooms. Below: how a UK double mattress compares with a small double and a king, whether it's big enough for two, and the room and bedding it needs.
Quick answer: A UK double is 135 x 190cm (4ft 6in x 6ft 3in). Shared by two people that's 67.5cm each, less than a single bed's 90cm, so it suits most couples in a typical room but can feel tight for restless or taller sleepers. A European double is bigger at 140 x 200cm.
Double bed size chart: small double vs double vs king
| Size | Centimetres (W x L) | Feet and inches | Width each (two sleepers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK small double | 120 x 190cm | 4ft x 6ft 3in | 60cm |
| UK double | 135 x 190cm | 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in | 67.5cm |
| UK king | 150 x 200cm | 5ft x 6ft 6in | 75cm |
| EU double | 140 x 200cm | About 4ft 7in x 6ft 6in | 70cm |
| UK single (for reference) | 90 x 190cm | 3ft x 6ft 3in | 90cm (one sleeper) |
A European double is 5cm wider and 10cm longer than a UK double, so the two aren't interchangeable: a UK double mattress leaves gaps in a 140 x 200cm frame, and EU sheets won't sit flat on a UK mattress. For every size in one place, see our UK bed sizes chart.
Is a double bed big enough for two?
For most couples, yes, but only just. Split down the middle, a double gives each person 67.5cm, which is 22.5cm narrower than a single bed. That's fine if you both sleep fairly still, but it gets tight quickly if:
- one of you sleeps on your side with your knees drawn up, or sprawls;
- either of you is broad-shouldered or taller than about 6ft (the 190cm length leaves little room at the foot);
- a child or pet regularly joins you;
- you're light sleepers who wake when the other turns over.
A double works well as a solo bed with plenty of room to spread out, or for couples in rooms where a king would squeeze the floor space.
Small double vs double
A small double (120 x 190cm) is 15cm narrower than a double and the same length. It's a generous bed for one and a squeeze for two, at 60cm each. If you're weighing the two for a smaller room, our small double bed size guide has the full comparison.
Double vs king
A king (150 x 200cm) adds 15cm of width and 10cm of length. That takes each sleeper from 67.5cm to 75cm and gives taller people room to stretch out. It's the most common upgrade for couples who find a double crowded, provided the room can take it. Our guide to king size bed dimensions covers the room you need and whether the upgrade is worth it.
What size room do you need for a double bed?
Allow about 60 to 70cm of walking space on both sides and at the foot, and remember a frame is usually 10 to 20cm bigger than the mattress.
- Width: a 145 to 155cm frame plus 60 to 70cm each side comes to about 2.7m to 2.9m.
- Length: a 200 to 210cm frame against the headboard wall plus 60 to 70cm at the foot comes to about 2.6m to 2.8m.
So a room of around 2.7m x 2.8m takes a double with access on both sides. In a smaller room, putting one side against the wall saves floor space, though it means one sleeper climbs over the other. Mark the frame's footprint on the floor with masking tape before you order to see how the room will really feel.
Choosing the firmness for a double mattress
Because two people share a narrower surface on a double, firmness and motion isolation matter more than on a bigger bed. For most couples a medium firm double mattress is the safest middle ground: supportive enough for back sleepers and heavier partners, with enough give at the shoulder and hip for side sleepers.
- Side sleepers and lighter people: medium to medium-firm, so the shoulder and hip can sink in slightly.
- Back sleepers: medium-firm, to keep the lower back level.
- Front sleepers and heavier sleepers: firm, so the hips don't sink.
- Couples with different needs: choose for the heavier partner, then fine-tune comfort with a topper or pillow.
Pocket springs help on a double because each spring moves independently, so a partner turning over moves less of the mattress under you. If you need firmer, more corrective support, an orthopaedic double mattress is the next step up.
Double bed bedding sizes
- Fitted sheet: UK double, 135 x 190cm. REM-Fit doubles are 25cm deep (28cm for the Natural Lux), so choose a deep-fitting sheet with a pocket of 30cm or more.
- Duvet: a UK double duvet is 200 x 200cm. Many couples on a double prefer a king duvet (230 x 220cm) for more overhang.
- Mattress protector: 135 x 190cm, deep enough for your mattress.
- Frame: check it's made for a 135 x 190cm mattress, not a 140 x 200cm European double. On a slatted base, keep slat gaps to 10cm or less so a hybrid mattress stays fully supported.
REM-Fit double mattresses
Every REM-Fit hybrid comes in a UK double (135 x 190cm). For couples sharing a double, these two medium-firm models are the usual starting points.
REM-Fit Pocket 1000 Hybrid Mattress
Medium-firm, with 1000 full-height pocket springs under 5cm of open-cell memory foam, 25cm deep and rated to 20 stone per sleeper.
Shop the Pocket 1000
REM-Fit 5000 Lux Elite Hybrid Mattress
Medium-firm 7.5/10, with 5000 dual-layer pocket springs and zoned open-cell memory foam for couples who want more contouring and edge support.
Shop the 5000 Lux Elite✓ 100-night trial (200 with a protector) ✓ 15-year guarantee ✓ Free UK delivery ✓ 0% finance
Double bed FAQs
What size is a double bed in the UK?
135cm wide and 190cm long, sold as 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in. Always check the centimetres, because a European double is 140 x 200cm.
Is a double bed the same as a queen?
No. The UK has no standard queen size, and retailers use the name loosely, most often for a small double. A US queen is 152 x 203cm, closer to a UK king.
Is a double bed 4ft or 4ft 6in?
A standard UK double is 4ft 6in (135cm) wide. A 4ft (120cm) bed is a small double, sometimes sold as a three-quarter bed.
How much bigger is a king than a double?
A UK king is 15cm wider and 10cm longer (150 x 200cm vs 135 x 190cm), which is about 17% more sleeping area.
What size duvet fits a double bed?
A UK double duvet is 200 x 200cm. If you share, a king duvet (230 x 220cm) gives each of you more overhang.
