A queen bed takes a 153 × 203 cm mattress and a king takes a 183 × 203 cm mattress, so a king is 30 cm wider but no longer. Shared by two, that is about 76 cm each on a queen and 91 cm on a king. The real question is whether your room has the space.
- If your bed wall is shorter than about 3 metres: a queen keeps walking space on both sides. The Falcon Grey Fabric Upholstered Bed Frame is a simple place to start.
- If children or a pet regularly end up in your bed: go king, such as the button-tufted Franco Fabric Bed Frame.
- If you need storage whichever size you choose: the Floss Storage Bed Frame comes in queen and king with a pull-out drawer at the foot.
In this guide
What the extra 30 cm actually changes
Because both sizes are 203 cm long, a king is not a bigger bed in every direction. It is a queen with 30 cm added to the width. Tall sleepers gain nothing in length by moving up; what changes is how much side-to-side room each person has, and how much of the bedroom the bed takes up.
Split down the middle, the extra 30 cm is about 15 cm more for each sleeper. On a king, each person has roughly 91 cm, which is close to the width of a 92 cm single mattress. On a queen, each person has about 76 cm. For two adults who sleep still, a queen is comfortable. For a restless sleeper, or a bed that regularly takes a child or the dog, those 15 cm are noticeable.
| Feature | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress size (W × L) | 153 × 203 cm | 183 × 203 cm |
| Width each, for two sleepers | About 76 cm | About 91 cm |
| Wall width for the mattress plus 60 cm each side | 273 cm, plus the frame | 303 cm, plus the frame |
| Room length for the mattress plus 60 cm at the foot | 263 cm, plus the frame | 263 cm, plus the frame |
| Fitted sheet | Queen | King only; queen sheets will not stretch to fit |
Pieces in this guide
Will a king fit your bedroom?
Room size decides this more often than comfort does. Our showroom rule of thumb is about 60 cm of clear floor on each side of the bed and at the foot, so you can get in and out, make the bed and walk past without squeezing. The table above shows the sums for the mattress alone; a bed frame adds a little more in each direction, and the exact footprint of each frame is on its product page.
Then add what goes beside the bed. Bedside tables are often 50 to 60 cm across, so a king with a table on each side can need well over three metres of wall before you leave any walking space. If the room cannot take that, a queen with two tables usually works better than a king with none. Our guide on how to choose a bedside table covers widths and heights.
- Tape it out. Mark the frame's footprint on the floor with masking tape and walk around it. If it feels tight on tape, it will feel tight with a bed in it.
- Check the doors. Make sure the bedroom door, the wardrobe doors and any drawers still open fully.
- Measure the way in. Check the front door, hallways, tight corners and stairs. A king mattress is 30 cm wider than a queen and can be harder to turn through a narrow hallway or stairwell.
Who should buy a king size bed, and who a queen suits
A king makes sense if
- children or a pet regularly end up in the bed with you;
- one of you moves around a lot at night, or you both like to spread out;
- your bedroom fits a king with walking space and bedside tables to spare.
A queen makes sense if
- you sleep alone, or you are a couple happy at about 76 cm each;
- your bedroom is on the smaller side, or you want room for a tallboy or desk as well;
- you move house often, since a queen is easier to get through doors and up stairs.
Queen is the size we sell most, and for most standard bedrooms it is the practical choice. A king is a genuine upgrade when the room has space for it and the bed regularly holds more than two adults' worth of elbows. Neither size is longer than the other, so height is not a reason to choose a king.
Queen and king bed frames
Each frame below is sized to a standard Australian mattress of the same name: a queen frame takes a 153 × 203 cm queen mattress, and a king frame takes a 183 × 203 cm king. They all use a wooden slat base, so the mattress sits straight on the slats with no box spring to buy. If you are pairing a specific foam or hybrid mattress, check the slat spacing with our team first.
- Storage in either size. The Fabulous Upholstered Storage Bed Frame with Drawer has a pull-out drawer at the foot on castor wheels, in fabric or black PU leather. The Floss is in soft black fabric with slim gold trim on the headboard, with a storage drawer at the foot of the bed. The Fernvale Storage Bed Frame has a channel-tufted headboard and two drawers, with a choice of which side the second one opens on.
- A soft, tailored look. The Franco has a grid button-tufted headboard, a fully upholstered frame and turned wooden legs, in three fabric colours.
- Simple and easy to wipe down. The Falcon Black PU Leather Bed Frame has a cushioned headboard and a black faux-leather surface that wipes clean with a damp cloth. The Falcon Grey is the same shape in grey fabric.
Compare the full ranges in queen bed frames and king bed frames. To see a frame before you choose a size, ask which of our five showrooms has it on display.
Mattresses and bedding for each size
Buy the mattress in the same size as the frame; a king mattress will not sit properly on a queen frame, and a queen mattress on a king frame leaves a 30 cm gap. Firmness and construction are separate choices from size, so pick the size for the room and the feel for the way you sleep. Browse our queen mattresses and king mattresses to compare.
Bedding is not interchangeable either. A king needs king fitted sheets, a king quilt and a king mattress protector, so if you are moving up from a queen, budget for a full new set of bedding as well as the bed. A king quilt is also bigger to wash and dry, which is worth thinking about if you do not have a large washing machine.
Still planning the rest of the room? Our bedroom furniture checklist sets out what to buy first.
Queen vs king FAQs
Is a king single bigger than a queen bed?
No. A king single is 106 × 203 cm and a queen is 153 × 203 cm, so a queen is 47 cm wider. They are the same length. A king single is a longer, wider single, not a smaller king.
Is a king bed longer than a queen?
No. Both are 203 cm long. A king is only wider, by 30 cm, so moving up to a king gives tall sleepers no extra length.
Can two adults sleep comfortably on a queen bed?
Yes, for most couples. A queen gives each person about 76 cm. If one of you moves a lot at night, or a child or pet often joins you, a king's 91 cm each is more comfortable.
Do queen sheets fit a king mattress?
No. A queen fitted sheet is made for a 153 cm wide mattress and will not stretch over a 183 cm king. Use king fitted sheets, a king quilt and a king mattress protector.
Is it worth upgrading from a queen to a king?
It is if you regularly feel crowded and the room has at least 303 cm of wall for the mattress and walking space, plus the frame and any bedside tables. If the room is tight, a queen with space around it is usually the better result.
Can a king mattress go on a queen bed frame?
No. Each frame is made for a mattress of the same name, so a king mattress needs a king frame. A queen frame is 30 cm too narrow for it.